OK for kids 7+
Young pet lovers will get a kick out of dog comedy.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this Nickelodeon-produced comedy about an orphaned brother and sister (played by tween faves Emma Roberts and Jake T. Austin) who set up a secret refuge for stray dogs is targeted squarely at the family market. Because the main characters are orphans living in foster care, there are some references to dead parents, but it doesn't get too emotional. And with no swearing or consumerism and only mild flirting (though there are a couple of kisses), the movie is age-appropriate for grade-schoolers while still appealing to tweens.
- Families can talk about why so many movie kids are orphans. Do you feel more sympathy for kids who don't have parents? Do they seem like bigger heroes than other kids?
- Do movies like this ever make you anxious about your own family?Parents: Talk to your kids about any fears or worries they might haveabout being without you.
- Kids: Can you think of ways that youractions can make a positive change in your community?
The good stuff
-
Educational value: May help teach kids the importance of community involvement.
-
Messages: Overall, despite a bit of iffy behavior on the part of the main characters, the film sends the message that young people can make a difference in their communities.
-
Role models: The siblings are very close, but they also do some iffy things to make money -- like pawning fake cell phones.
What to watch for
-
Violence and scariness: Slapsticky violence like characters falling, stepping on poop and pee, etc. Also references to dead parents and "awful" foster care.
-
Sexy stuff: Teenagers flirt, and one couple kisses, while another girl gives a boy a quick smooch. A teenage boy calls two characters "fine" and "hot."
-
Language: Very mild -- "stupid."
-
Consumerism: Not an issue
-
Drinking, drugs and smoking: Not an issue
Fan Reviews provided by
5
A Must See for Any Animal Lover!!!!!! Best Movie on Air!!! by clemsonj9
I think that by seeing all of the sneek peeks of this movie, this is the best movie to ever go on air.
This movie fetures Emma Roberts, a very good actress on Nickolodeon. This movie is a must see for any kid or animal lover. No matter what you are told about this movie, it IS the BEST MOVIE EVER!!!
This movie has great effects, and much, much more! When you are watching the clips, you forget your even watching something recorded!! You feel loke you are actully there where it it happening.
This movie is the GREATEST ANIMAL MOVIE EVER!!!!!!!!!!
4
I liked it by rudyrod1
Well, if your not into kid movies your no going to like it. but i love all kinds of movies and i thought it was cute. Emma Roberts looks just like her anut it's not even funny. so anyway, i didn't think it was stupid and it had nothing to do or even close to Hotel rewanda like that other comment about the movie. I'm a dog lover and thought it was a cute disney movie. not all movie have to be blood,action and horror. This is a cute movie that i haven't seen in a while and i enjoyed seeing it was my family who also thought it was cute. It was not a bad movie like the other comments said so i suggest you see it to really find out for yourself if it's good or not!
4
Dogs Dogs Dogs. by Daydream
I saw Hotel for Dogs awhile ago and the entire audience consisted of parents and their children. Lucky for them this movie was made strictly for the younger audiences as well as the dog lovers out there. The clever "inspector gadget" contraptions are extraordinary and generate tons of laughs. Hotel for Dogs is unrealistic, silly and adorable. This is afamily movie and is perfect for grade-schoolers. Take the kids if there's still time.
5
HOTEL FOR DOGS by halfcent56
THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST MOVIES I HAVE SEEN IN A LONG TIME, THIS MOVIE KEPT ME INTERESTED ALL THE TIME, GO SEE THIS MOVIE!!!!!!
5
Hotel For Dogs by moviegtranny
I took my 3 grandchildren to see the movie, and we all loved it! We all had our favorite dogs which included Friday, Lenny & Georgia, Cooper, and Sebastion and Viola, and the large doberman. The story was charming, emotional and delightful. We recommend it for all ages.
5
Hotel for Dogs by kaduka73
My son and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Every child and adult in the theater was laughing. I would recommend seeing it!
5
A LOT Better than I thought it would be by bsperoz
I thought this would be an unconstructed movie with no plot, but the plot was actually well formed. It lasted long and was happy 90% of the time. Noone died. There was no villan, though there were people that were obstacles. It started out quick, ran long, finished right, and kept up to the Nickelodean Name: Very funny.
4
Really Cute Dog Movie by hhamer
Much better than anticipated. One has to realize the time and effort it takes to actually train all those dogs to do what they do... And for all those different dogs to get along... Alot more talent in those fourlegged critters than half the people in some of the other Movies. It is absolutely a great kid movie. As an animal lover it was good entertainment and I would probably watch it again when it comesout on DVD.
4
Hotel for Dogs by rjs2
It was a cute movie. I took my two boys ages 8 and 5 to see it. They loved it!
5
Hotel for Dogs - Entertaining, But Be Prepared for The Sad... by msdawnmichelle
I took my twin 6 1/2 year olds to see this movie. They LOVED it! Both my children and my friends' children were belly laughing. There was a sad part that we were not prepared for. It brought us to tear. So, just be prepared. When my daughter started to cry, I told her it was a movie and would end happy. That seemed to do the trick! Luckily I was right! Great movie!