This is a very entertaining lighthearted film, it's for anybody who has a pet. 12 year old Owen Baker(Liam Aiken) is a very lonely boy, who's best friends so far seem to be the neighbors dogs he walks everyday. Owen really wants one of his own. One day his parents take him to the pound to get one. He finds a cute dog and names him Hubble. But Owen slowly discovers, this is no ordinary dog. Who just happens to be a very intelligent dog from outer space. A pure delight for the whole family. Matthew Broderick is also good as the voice of Hubble. It's funny and delightful. Please don't quit making movies like this.
48 Reviews
For the dog lover
Johnny-12510 March 2004
Good Boy
This is a movie for dog lovers. If you like dogs, than you most likely will like this movie. The dogs were great. They looked good. There seemed to be little to no CGI interference with the dogs. The human actors left a lot to be desired, but the movie really wasn't about them anyway. Dogs are from space. They were supposed to colonize Earth, but have instead become pets. The dogs from the home star get mad and want to take away the Earth dogs. That's the basic plot behind the movie. Good for kids and adults who like dogs. Dogs are cool animals and need more movies. Sure the movie was silly, but at least it had dogs in it.
This is a movie for dog lovers. If you like dogs, than you most likely will like this movie. The dogs were great. They looked good. There seemed to be little to no CGI interference with the dogs. The human actors left a lot to be desired, but the movie really wasn't about them anyway. Dogs are from space. They were supposed to colonize Earth, but have instead become pets. The dogs from the home star get mad and want to take away the Earth dogs. That's the basic plot behind the movie. Good for kids and adults who like dogs. Dogs are cool animals and need more movies. Sure the movie was silly, but at least it had dogs in it.
Good dog, good boy, good movie.
Juni78ukr24 March 2004
I have seen this movie today. Whatever critics say, it's not a bad movie overall. I think Good Boy is a must see movie for dog lovers, very good movie for kids and above average funny and enjoyable movie for adults.
Plot looks not great but have some of originality. It's not simply a dogs movie, it's a cute heart-warming movie about friendship and loyalty not only between dogs and human, but between people too. Acting are not bad, young Liam Aiken have reasonably good performance. Typical PG movie - without any violence and profanity with some crude humor. So , it's a good movie for whole family. Clearly, not great, but worth to see or at least to rent.
6,8 out of 10, but if I would be a few years younger, I could rate it higher.
Plot looks not great but have some of originality. It's not simply a dogs movie, it's a cute heart-warming movie about friendship and loyalty not only between dogs and human, but between people too. Acting are not bad, young Liam Aiken have reasonably good performance. Typical PG movie - without any violence and profanity with some crude humor. So , it's a good movie for whole family. Clearly, not great, but worth to see or at least to rent.
6,8 out of 10, but if I would be a few years younger, I could rate it higher.
Cute!
zoe3617 October 2003
I noticed this film got a low rating, maybe these people were not dog lovers. I thought the plot, if it was a plot, about the the "alien" dog was a little thin but the dogs were wonderful, the boy was great. Sometimes it's just good to go to the movies the enjoy a sweet little no-nonsense film that's just there for pure entertainment. I was entertained.
Judge it for what it is
meberts16 October 2003
This movie is a little better than OK. It's wholesome entertainment that makes the not-terribly-original point that people and dogs have a special bond. And maybe it says a little about the alienation some children feel when growing up in a two-career suburban family.
The boy at the center of the film, Owen, is pleasant without stealing the show from the talking dogs. The girl who befriends him is equally pleasant and also not a show-stealer. The two boys who torment our hero and the dogs are sort of standard issue neighborhood bullies. Owen's dad is a stereotypical clueless father.
Owen's mom, however, is an interesting character. I think she's being played as an essentially decent woman who is too caught up in her real estate wheelings and dealings to notice that her son is lonely and a little depressed. However, to me she comes off as really creepy: a rootless, valueless suburban capital gains huckster who would sell the family home (and her son's happiness) in an instant it there was a buck to be made in it.
So why is this movie a little better than average? Well, the dogs are fun. The voice-over work is nicely-cast (old trooper Carl Reiner is especially good), the dogs get some funny lines, and some good computer work makes the dogs look pretty convincing at mouthing their lines.
I decided to write this because I'm annoyed with the review this movie got in the L.A. Times. It's their right to pan any movie, of course, but it bugs me when a reviewer dismissively puts down a movie like this because it's no Citizen Kane, or even Citizen Canine. Well, gee, it's a talking dog movie. It's not supposed to be deep.
The boy at the center of the film, Owen, is pleasant without stealing the show from the talking dogs. The girl who befriends him is equally pleasant and also not a show-stealer. The two boys who torment our hero and the dogs are sort of standard issue neighborhood bullies. Owen's dad is a stereotypical clueless father.
Owen's mom, however, is an interesting character. I think she's being played as an essentially decent woman who is too caught up in her real estate wheelings and dealings to notice that her son is lonely and a little depressed. However, to me she comes off as really creepy: a rootless, valueless suburban capital gains huckster who would sell the family home (and her son's happiness) in an instant it there was a buck to be made in it.
So why is this movie a little better than average? Well, the dogs are fun. The voice-over work is nicely-cast (old trooper Carl Reiner is especially good), the dogs get some funny lines, and some good computer work makes the dogs look pretty convincing at mouthing their lines.
I decided to write this because I'm annoyed with the review this movie got in the L.A. Times. It's their right to pan any movie, of course, but it bugs me when a reviewer dismissively puts down a movie like this because it's no Citizen Kane, or even Citizen Canine. Well, gee, it's a talking dog movie. It's not supposed to be deep.
For dog lovers everywhere!!
treakle_197828 August 2020
Good Boy ? Good Movie !!!!
robertvannsmith12 October 2003
I went to see this movie because I am a fan of Liam Akin's.
I wasn't expecting much out of the movie, though.
But the movie turned out to be better than I expected.
It had a few flavors of "Benji" and "The Cat From Outter Space" mixed into it.
A definite must-see for people who have children or nieces and nephews.
I wasn't expecting much out of the movie, though.
But the movie turned out to be better than I expected.
It had a few flavors of "Benji" and "The Cat From Outter Space" mixed into it.
A definite must-see for people who have children or nieces and nephews.
Cute Movie, Cute Dogs
laura-hall-schordje16 September 2017
I found Good Boy! while flipping through channels this afternoon and was pulled in to watch it all. There is not other word for the movie but cute--it is not great art, but a delightful little fantasy about dogs and people and their special bond.
The voice actors for the dogs are excellent, with a special shout out for Brittany Murphy's nervous Nelly--quite touching. There is not much computerized distortion of the dogs' appearance so the dogs are cute and natural. If you are going to make a movie about dogs, it is nice to see real dogs. Hubble is adorable!
The acting is a little stiff and formulaic from most characters, but Liam Aiken gives an amazingly natural and touching performance. I cared about this kid and Hubble the dog. I admit to a few tears at the end. Nice for the whole family--even my cat-person son liked this.
The voice actors for the dogs are excellent, with a special shout out for Brittany Murphy's nervous Nelly--quite touching. There is not much computerized distortion of the dogs' appearance so the dogs are cute and natural. If you are going to make a movie about dogs, it is nice to see real dogs. Hubble is adorable!
The acting is a little stiff and formulaic from most characters, but Liam Aiken gives an amazingly natural and touching performance. I cared about this kid and Hubble the dog. I admit to a few tears at the end. Nice for the whole family--even my cat-person son liked this.
Good Boy Was My Childhood
jscplatt21 November 2018
The Canine View of the Dog Star
robert-temple-16 July 2010
This film, made in Vancouver with the Jim Henson team, speaking dogs, and the assistance of Canine Co-Stars of Canada, is an excellent dog comedy on a way-out theme. Indeed, the theme is so way out that it is 8.6 light years away to be precise. It concerns the colonization of Earth by dogs from a planet in the system of the Dog Star, Sirius, in the distant past, and a contemporary inspection visit by a terrier who crash-lands in his space ship in a suburb of Vancouver. Sirius today is ruled by a matriarch known as the Greater Dane (real dog's name, Valentino, and her voice is that of Vanessa Redgrave), whose ears rise up in points exactly like those of the ancient Egyptian Anubis. Dogs are supposed to be the masters of the planet Earth, but they are discovered to have sunk to the ignominious status of pets. This a deep shock to Agent 3942, the terrier. He is taken in by a human boy named Owen, engagingly played by Liam Aiken. Aiken's parents, well played by Molly Shannon and Kevin Nealon, are charmingly eccentric and amusing, which all adds to the light-hearted atmosphere of this dotty spoof of a film. There are lots of great dogs, ranging from the pathetic to the splendid. They are all superbly trained and we get countless laughs from the wild antics in this story. No one is embarrassed that the plot is intentionally ridiculous, they just go for it shamelessly and with gusto. It all adds up to lots of fun for all, and the dogs must have enjoyed it. The tale has its perilous side: there is a threat of 'Global Recall' by the Greater Dane, who is so horrified at the lowered status of Earth Dogs that she threatens to evacuate them all back to Sirius, leaving mankind destitute of our 'best friends'. Only Owen and Agent 3942 (re-named Hubble, as in the space telescope) can save the world from this terrible fate. As the film progresses, Agent 3942 alias Hubble lightens up a bit, and when Owen tells him he is a 'Good Boy', Hubble, who of course can speak, tells Owen he is a 'Good Boy' too. But will the world be saved from 'Global Recall'? Will we all lose our dogs? The disappearances begin, and some are taken away in a flying saucer. Can this be stopped in time? They say that for every time warp there is a corresponding woof, and we certainly have lots of woofs in this film. Its ending must remain a Sirius mystery. And by the way, the Sphinx is Anubis. So don't be too sceptical about the origins and dignity of dogs, and their innate superiority to humans. But I wonder where they got all these ideas from, from some blog on the dogosphere no doubt. This is the only film directed by American actor John Hoffman, who also wrote it, and did both jobs very well. Which star system will he visit next? The Hollywood Star System?
Overall, a cute movie with some mild crude humor.
bs201v16 March 2004
I thought that the plot was pretty creative, as was the writing. Two or three jokes related to bodily functions, but mostly they were cute jokes with creative insight on what a dog might say to us if we could understand them. Also, some creative insight on what a dog's place is in this world and who is really in charge of who. Some of the acting was a little stale(no academy awards here), but most of the acting was good to very good. My test is the "suspension of dis-belief" test. Can I forget reality long enough to accept the story line and think of the actors as the characters they are portraying? The answer here was yes. The acting was good enough that I suspended my dis-belief and was able to enjoy the story line and the humor. My kids are 7 and 4 1/2 and they loved it. For them, I will almost surely end up buying it. I would give it a 7 out of 10.
Cute Flick for the open-minded
meeris17 May 2004
Something that totally drives me up the wall is when adults go into movies like this expecting "Gone With the Wind". It's a KIDS movie...the plot will be light, the acting maybe not so hot, and the jokes a bit lame at times. That is expected. You have to take each movie for what it is trying to achieve. This movie is trying to be a fun two hours without taking itself too seriously. And it does that very well. I am an educated movie-goer and I enjoyed this film very much. The actors chosen to provide the voices for the dogs were well selected and I am hoping to see more out of Liam Aiken in the next few years.
Cute dogs, cute laughs, cute movie.
Cute dogs, cute laughs, cute movie.
sorry, I love Boxers ...
Poe-1716 March 2004
Didn't see this movie for any other reason than a Boxer was part of the cast. Enjoyed the dickens out of moments of the film. Actually had gut wrenchings here and there. I wouldn't want to think about meandering through things with out my dog, a Boxer named Boo, wadded on my lap or curled at my knees at night. My best friend, unconditional love. Sappy story line, atrocious acting ... great dogs. The "I think that was a ball" scene is superb if you share your world with a dog.
Bad movie, nice nuggets for those who understand, and are blown away, how dogs and people mesh. Those who might be on to the archeology that we and domesticated dogs have been sharing lives for 250,000 years.
"I'm certain that was a ball"
Bad movie, nice nuggets for those who understand, and are blown away, how dogs and people mesh. Those who might be on to the archeology that we and domesticated dogs have been sharing lives for 250,000 years.
"I'm certain that was a ball"
It's a talking dog movie ......
cekadah16 January 2014
..... and a good one it is!
Just silly and light hearted enough to keep you laughing and watching! A group of highly characterized earth dogs get a visit from a fellow dog from the star Sirius. And of course a little boy finds his dog in the outer space dog.
A fun and entertaining goofy flick for all dog lovers and people that have had a significant pet in their life. Yes, you'll feel sorry for the little boy and you'll laugh at many slap stick situations the 'kids & dogs' get themselves into.
A funny fun movie for all!
Just silly and light hearted enough to keep you laughing and watching! A group of highly characterized earth dogs get a visit from a fellow dog from the star Sirius. And of course a little boy finds his dog in the outer space dog.
A fun and entertaining goofy flick for all dog lovers and people that have had a significant pet in their life. Yes, you'll feel sorry for the little boy and you'll laugh at many slap stick situations the 'kids & dogs' get themselves into.
A funny fun movie for all!
Man's best friend
jaybabb19 April 2004
This is a film about a boy, whose name is Owen(Liam Aiken)who is a neighborhood dog walker. He even wears a dog walker uniform with a name tag! This gives the appearance that he is a pro dog walker! Now Owen is a lonely boy with no friends except the dogs he walks. He is bullied by two other boys.
But Owen has a good attitude, he respects his parents(Kevin Nealon & Molly Shannon)who renovates homes for a living-and they live in the house they are currently working on. This does not make things any easier for Owen, who has a desire to settle down and stay put in one house. Owen, however takes it all in stride and makes the best out of the situation.
He is awakened by a noise-the sound of something crashing. This will be referred later as a "Sonic Boom" When his parents allow him to adopt his own dog, the one he picks at the pound-is like no other dog. He soon discovers that this pooch can talk. Owen gives him the name "Hubble" but his real name is "Canine 3942" a dog from outer space!
Hubble informs Owen that thousands of years ago, dogs were sent to earth from the "Home Star" AKA "The dog star Sirus" to colonize and rule earth. Dogs were not supposed to be pets! So, Hubble is here on a fact finding mission-to confirm rumors that the dogs have strayed from their original mission. Hubble is here to try to reverse that.
Now, Hubble becomes very fond of Owen-he have to choose between life on earth or the ability to talk. Hubble isn't the only talking dog, all the dogs can talk! When Hubble fails to rally the dogs to their original mission, "The Greater Dane" shows up! She is the "queen of the Dogs" Can Hubble and Owen persuade the "Greater Dane" to let Hubble and the other dogs stay here on earth?
Now I admit that the story line resolving around the dogs is silly! And It's the bathroom humor that earns it's PG rating, however there's so much to like about this film. Dog lovers will love this film! We should be thankful that dogs can't talk! All the Characters is perfectly cast, esp Liam Aiken as Owen and "Flynn" as "Hubble"
Great Film. 8 out of 10.
But Owen has a good attitude, he respects his parents(Kevin Nealon & Molly Shannon)who renovates homes for a living-and they live in the house they are currently working on. This does not make things any easier for Owen, who has a desire to settle down and stay put in one house. Owen, however takes it all in stride and makes the best out of the situation.
He is awakened by a noise-the sound of something crashing. This will be referred later as a "Sonic Boom" When his parents allow him to adopt his own dog, the one he picks at the pound-is like no other dog. He soon discovers that this pooch can talk. Owen gives him the name "Hubble" but his real name is "Canine 3942" a dog from outer space!
Hubble informs Owen that thousands of years ago, dogs were sent to earth from the "Home Star" AKA "The dog star Sirus" to colonize and rule earth. Dogs were not supposed to be pets! So, Hubble is here on a fact finding mission-to confirm rumors that the dogs have strayed from their original mission. Hubble is here to try to reverse that.
Now, Hubble becomes very fond of Owen-he have to choose between life on earth or the ability to talk. Hubble isn't the only talking dog, all the dogs can talk! When Hubble fails to rally the dogs to their original mission, "The Greater Dane" shows up! She is the "queen of the Dogs" Can Hubble and Owen persuade the "Greater Dane" to let Hubble and the other dogs stay here on earth?
Now I admit that the story line resolving around the dogs is silly! And It's the bathroom humor that earns it's PG rating, however there's so much to like about this film. Dog lovers will love this film! We should be thankful that dogs can't talk! All the Characters is perfectly cast, esp Liam Aiken as Owen and "Flynn" as "Hubble"
Great Film. 8 out of 10.
Talking dogs are fun.
the-movie-guy9 October 2003
Warning: Spoilers
Spoiler Alert! Twelve-year-old Owen Baker (Liam Aiken) made a deal with his parents, that if he works hard as a neighborhood dog-walker all summer, they will reward him with a dog of his own. Summer ends and they go to the dog pound to adopt a dog. Owen chooses a dog that has just flown to Earth from Sirius the `Dog Star' and names him Hubble. Hubble (Canid 3942 - voiced by Matthew Broderick) is a secret agent sent to Earth to investigate why Earth dogs haven't communicated with Sirius. Thousands of years earlier, dogs from Sirius were sent on a mission to colonize and rule Earth. The Great Dane leader has heard rumors that Earth dogs have strayed from their mission, and that they are now pets of humans. If she finds this to be true, she will recall all the dogs on Earth back to Sirius. One night Owen follows Hubble to his spaceship, and while the dog is communicating with Sirius, Owen has an accident with the communicator, enabling him to understand what dogs are saying. Together, Owen and Hubble must shape up the dogs that Owen has been walking, before the Great Dane arrives on Earth. The fate of all Earth dogs hangs in the balance. This is a good simple movie for kids. Not a lot of action or special effects, but it has a good story line of a boy and his dog, even though the dog is from outer space. (Rated PG)
An awesome movie
laciefrazee9 April 2004
I love this movie! It's so funny and cute! Two paws up! The cast is great. I like the dogs a lot! Liam Aiken does an awesome job in this film. What a great bunch of voices to play the dogs! Shep is very funny and Wilson is hilarious, Barbara-Ann has a good personality, Nelly I think is my favorite, Hubble is very cute. I remember when I seen the trailer for it, I was DYING TO SEE IT! I was very happy when I first seen it. There is a lot of funny parts and hilarious lines, but it was when I bought it on dvd that I found a very sad part, when the dogs have to go back to the home star and the owners don't even know and the dogs are so sad. I love this movie and it's a great story too.
You have to go home and hug your dog after seeing it.
dianacarey-19 November 2003
This movie is for people who share their lives and home with there puppy-people. Those who do not like dogs, or those who think dogs are "just pets" need not bother as they would not understand it. This movie held all warmth and love that a dog could possibly share with it's person.
I have seen it three times and I have gone home and hugged my dogs each time. As soon as it comes out on video I am going to get it so we can watch it together.
I have seen it three times and I have gone home and hugged my dogs each time. As soon as it comes out on video I am going to get it so we can watch it together.
My 8-year-old gave it a '10'
akwriter29 October 2003
I took my son, 8, to see "Good Boy" on a recent visit to Seattle. He gave it a '10', which is pretty good as he was ranking it right up there with a visit to the zoo and the Pacific Science Center. I'd give it a '6', pleading a reticent adulthood, but add that it's far better than the anti-family detritus Disney's turning out these days.
The MGM movie tells the story of Owen, 12, and the dog he adopts, that turns out to be from outer space on a special mission. "Good Boy" is easy to take, even with the obligatory couple of flatulence jokes that earned the "PG" rating(my son of course thought them hilarious). It was funny, drew a few tears out of both of us, and ended happily. What more could you ask in a family film?
The MGM movie tells the story of Owen, 12, and the dog he adopts, that turns out to be from outer space on a special mission. "Good Boy" is easy to take, even with the obligatory couple of flatulence jokes that earned the "PG" rating(my son of course thought them hilarious). It was funny, drew a few tears out of both of us, and ended happily. What more could you ask in a family film?
Provides one with the substantial food-for-thought of a knock-knock joke and the contemplative drama of a juice-box riddle
StevePulaski1 May 2014
Good Boy! is an insulting, abysmal little film, providing one with the substantial food-for-thought of a knock-knock joke and the contemplative drama of a juice-box riddle. It tells the childish and dreadful story of Owen Baker (Liam Aiken), a twelve-year-old boy who serves as the neighborhood dog-walker so he can prove to his parents he's responsible enough to own a dog of his own.
When he finally proves he's responsible enough, dear little Owen asks his dim-witted parents to take him to the pound so that he can pick out the dog of his choice. He settles on a little terrier he saw while walking dogs, who comes bearing what appears to be a moon-rock around his collar. He names him Hubble, but it isn't long before he realizes that Hubble is much smarter than he had thought. Upon training him, seeing that Hubble can perform several tricks flawlessly, he realizes that Hubble (voiced by Matthew Broderick) can talk like a real human. Hubble's real name is "Canid 3942," and informs Owen that dogs were sent to Earth hundreds of years ago in order to dominate and enslave the human race. Turns out, dogs became the humans' pets rather than the other way around.
Hubble's prime responsibility, being sent from the higher dog-authority "Greater Dane" (Vanessa Redgrave), who resides on a planet called "Dog Star Sirius 7," was to make sure that dogs are fulfilling their responsibility and are in control. Turns out, they've failed miserably, and after receiving this knowledge, Hubble informs them that Earth is on the verge of a massive recall back to Sirius 7.
There are films like Shiloh that help enforce the idea that humans shape dogs but dogs shape humans in addition, and shows the great lengths a boy will go to protect and ensure the safety of his pet. Then there are films like Good Boy! that cheapen this kind of important and significant relationship like a poor sitcom. This is simply an asinine film with a barrage of weak jokes, inane ideas about even the very possibility that dogs are trying to take over Earth, and an woefully unsubstantial affair for young kids who need to be informed of the benefits of a relationship with an animal.
Those who defend Good Boy! can make the easy, go-to argument that the film is "cute" and possesses a family-friendly attitude that should be embraced. All I can say that if everything "cute" was embraced and safe from any type of criticism whatsoever, we'd have the frothiest, most artificial society that would've never had any such thing as a Disney or a Pixar to show us that narrative strength and themes are also components of family-friendly entertainment.
Starring: Liam Aiken, Kevin Nealon, and Molly Shannon. Voiced by: Matthew Broderick, Delta Burke, Donald Faison, Brittany Murphy, and Carl Reiner. Directed by: John Hoffman.
When he finally proves he's responsible enough, dear little Owen asks his dim-witted parents to take him to the pound so that he can pick out the dog of his choice. He settles on a little terrier he saw while walking dogs, who comes bearing what appears to be a moon-rock around his collar. He names him Hubble, but it isn't long before he realizes that Hubble is much smarter than he had thought. Upon training him, seeing that Hubble can perform several tricks flawlessly, he realizes that Hubble (voiced by Matthew Broderick) can talk like a real human. Hubble's real name is "Canid 3942," and informs Owen that dogs were sent to Earth hundreds of years ago in order to dominate and enslave the human race. Turns out, dogs became the humans' pets rather than the other way around.
Hubble's prime responsibility, being sent from the higher dog-authority "Greater Dane" (Vanessa Redgrave), who resides on a planet called "Dog Star Sirius 7," was to make sure that dogs are fulfilling their responsibility and are in control. Turns out, they've failed miserably, and after receiving this knowledge, Hubble informs them that Earth is on the verge of a massive recall back to Sirius 7.
There are films like Shiloh that help enforce the idea that humans shape dogs but dogs shape humans in addition, and shows the great lengths a boy will go to protect and ensure the safety of his pet. Then there are films like Good Boy! that cheapen this kind of important and significant relationship like a poor sitcom. This is simply an asinine film with a barrage of weak jokes, inane ideas about even the very possibility that dogs are trying to take over Earth, and an woefully unsubstantial affair for young kids who need to be informed of the benefits of a relationship with an animal.
Those who defend Good Boy! can make the easy, go-to argument that the film is "cute" and possesses a family-friendly attitude that should be embraced. All I can say that if everything "cute" was embraced and safe from any type of criticism whatsoever, we'd have the frothiest, most artificial society that would've never had any such thing as a Disney or a Pixar to show us that narrative strength and themes are also components of family-friendly entertainment.
Starring: Liam Aiken, Kevin Nealon, and Molly Shannon. Voiced by: Matthew Broderick, Delta Burke, Donald Faison, Brittany Murphy, and Carl Reiner. Directed by: John Hoffman.
Here is a film that defines PG.
JohnDeSando9 October 2003
Recent research says we share with dogs about 650 million base pairs or rungs on the DNA ladder. We also share about 360 of the same genetic disorders of human illness. One of those disorders must be making mediocre movies about boys and their dogs. Perhaps that's what we mean when we say a film has `gone to the dogs.'
Here is a film that defines PG: `Good Boy' is so wholesome that the most violence is a couple of bad-actor bullies pelting stones at a talking dog, and the most sex is a hug between a pre-pubescent boy and girl. This is what Disney used to crank out regularly when it told boy and dog stories in which the bonding could be an allegory for world peace (Think `Old Yeller' for one example).
You can also throw in `ET' for its alien visitor theme and the special bond between boy and friend leading to decisions that could separate them forever. John Robert Hoffman's directing debut for `Good Boy' involves using Zeke Richardson's story, `Dogs from Outer Space' and Richardson's help to write the screenplay. He could have used Isaac Asimov or Harlan Ellison if he wanted anything resembling an intelligent pseudo-sci-fi story above 3rd grade level.
Kids will appreciate the theme, stated a few times, `It's not where you are but who [sic] you are with.' The dogs in the film are all loveable, so it's easy to see that all humans should find as peaceful and caring a coexistence with other humans as they do with dogs.
`Good Boy' is perfect for young children who will delight to see flying, fighting, and farting intergalactic canines. This bad boy still prefers `Dog Day Afternoon.'
Here is a film that defines PG: `Good Boy' is so wholesome that the most violence is a couple of bad-actor bullies pelting stones at a talking dog, and the most sex is a hug between a pre-pubescent boy and girl. This is what Disney used to crank out regularly when it told boy and dog stories in which the bonding could be an allegory for world peace (Think `Old Yeller' for one example).
You can also throw in `ET' for its alien visitor theme and the special bond between boy and friend leading to decisions that could separate them forever. John Robert Hoffman's directing debut for `Good Boy' involves using Zeke Richardson's story, `Dogs from Outer Space' and Richardson's help to write the screenplay. He could have used Isaac Asimov or Harlan Ellison if he wanted anything resembling an intelligent pseudo-sci-fi story above 3rd grade level.
Kids will appreciate the theme, stated a few times, `It's not where you are but who [sic] you are with.' The dogs in the film are all loveable, so it's easy to see that all humans should find as peaceful and caring a coexistence with other humans as they do with dogs.
`Good Boy' is perfect for young children who will delight to see flying, fighting, and farting intergalactic canines. This bad boy still prefers `Dog Day Afternoon.'
Ok as a rental, however.....
srmccarthy28 February 2004
Originally I was going to watch this movie in the theater, however, due to its poor review it bombed out and was dis-continued before I had a chance to get to see it on the big screen! To tell you the truth, I am glad, because, if I had seen this in the theater I would have been upset (because it is not worth the 12+ dollars <ticket, popcorn, soda, etc....>). I did enjoy it on video! I believe it is worth 3-5 dollars to view vhs/dvd in your home. It is silly but enjoyable! Also, I loved the facial expressions that Liam Aiken makes! Also, I am very pleased about the lack of profanity! Nice to see a movie that the whole family can watch!
Good Boy, Bad Movie
Buddy-5111 December 2004
'Good Boy!' plays a bit like a low budget 'E.T.' on acid. It tells the story of a lonely suburban boy named Owen who becomes best friends with a dog from outer space whose vehicle crash lands in a nearby woods. The pooch gives Owen the ability to communicate verbally with him and all the other dogs in the neighborhood. Thus, we have the umpteenth variation on the talking animal syndrome begun so successfully with 'Babe' almost ten years ago. 'Good Boy,' in a way, is for all those who expected 'Snow Dogs' to feature chatty canines only to discover that the dogs in that movie spoke only in one very short fantasy sequence (the ads for the film did a good job bamboozling patrons into thinking otherwise).
'Good Boy,' which does feature a cast of jabbering canines, proves that we've come a long way since 'Babe' - and not, I'm sorry to say, in the right direction. Despite voice-over work from some pretty impressive big name actors (Matthew Broderick, Delta Burke, Cheech Marin, Vanessa Redgrave), 'Good Boy' is one ghastly little movie, fine for those between the ages of 5 and 10, I suppose, but worthless for just about anyone else. Adults will be frankly bored by this low grade little fantasy that offers a dopey plot, inane dialogue, cheesy special effects and enough flatulence jokes to keep 'em rolling in the aisles at the local nursery school (fart jokes seem to be practically a prerequisite for any film aimed at the grade school set these days). The screenplay wobbles back and forth between half-assed cynical wisecracks and goopy sentimentality regarding the eternal verities of man/dog relationships. I realize that very young kids may take to this film, but don't they really deserve better?
'Good Boy,' which does feature a cast of jabbering canines, proves that we've come a long way since 'Babe' - and not, I'm sorry to say, in the right direction. Despite voice-over work from some pretty impressive big name actors (Matthew Broderick, Delta Burke, Cheech Marin, Vanessa Redgrave), 'Good Boy' is one ghastly little movie, fine for those between the ages of 5 and 10, I suppose, but worthless for just about anyone else. Adults will be frankly bored by this low grade little fantasy that offers a dopey plot, inane dialogue, cheesy special effects and enough flatulence jokes to keep 'em rolling in the aisles at the local nursery school (fart jokes seem to be practically a prerequisite for any film aimed at the grade school set these days). The screenplay wobbles back and forth between half-assed cynical wisecracks and goopy sentimentality regarding the eternal verities of man/dog relationships. I realize that very young kids may take to this film, but don't they really deserve better?
Good-bye little green things with big eyes, and hello....DOGS????
KCRein2 April 2005
This is a great movie for anyone. I bought the DVD a week ago and I must have watched it 11 times since!! O.K., the whole dogs as aliens thing is a little strange, but it sure is cute.
This movie is about a 12 year old boy named Owen (Liam Aiken) who walks neighborhood dogs so he can make money to buy his own dog. Owen finally gets his own dog and names him Hubble. But Hubble isn't your ordinary dog. Turns out Hubble is an interplanetary agent from the dog star Sirius and he can TALK!! In fact all the dogs Owen walks can talk, too. Owen discovers that dogs were first sent to Earth to rule the world.
What makes this movie so entertaining is the voices of the dogs. Lets see, there is Mathew Broderick, Delta Burke, Donald Faison, Cheech Marin, Brittany Murphy, Vanessa Redgrave, and Carl Reiner.
This movie is a must see!!
This movie is about a 12 year old boy named Owen (Liam Aiken) who walks neighborhood dogs so he can make money to buy his own dog. Owen finally gets his own dog and names him Hubble. But Hubble isn't your ordinary dog. Turns out Hubble is an interplanetary agent from the dog star Sirius and he can TALK!! In fact all the dogs Owen walks can talk, too. Owen discovers that dogs were first sent to Earth to rule the world.
What makes this movie so entertaining is the voices of the dogs. Lets see, there is Mathew Broderick, Delta Burke, Donald Faison, Cheech Marin, Brittany Murphy, Vanessa Redgrave, and Carl Reiner.
This movie is a must see!!
Delightful!
zena-124 October 2006
Unlike the previous reviewer, I thought this film was quite delightful. Some well known actors give the canines voices to match their personalities (caninalities?) while both humor and pathos abound. Children will no doubt enjoy the ET-like story, but there is more than one message for dog lovers of all ages. The young boy is not unlike the main character in ET, a lonely child who needs a friend, and Liam performs extremely well in the role. I also found the supporting cast convincing and not at all "cheesy". Three cheers for the different breeds who take part in this movie, my only regret being that my favorite, Samoyed, was not included.
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