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Underdog Review

Movies.com Critics

3.0

Dave White Profile

… no original thought went into it at all. Read full review

Other Critics provided by Metacritic.com

Critics scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

  • 2.0
    37

    out of 100

    Metascore®
    Generally unfavorable reviews
    based on a weighted average of all
    critic review scores.

  • 30

    out of 100

    The New York Times Jeannette Catsoulis

    Underdog may have been originally created to sell cereal for General Mills, but this latest incarnation couldn't sell Frisbees at a dog park.

    Read Full Review

  • 30

    out of 100

    Los Angeles Times

    Director Frederik Du Chau's big-screen Underdog has all of the cartoons' crudeness and none of their charm. It's the celluloid equivalent of sugar cereal: cheap, empty and headache-inducing.

    Read Full Review

  • 50

    out of 100

    Variety Justin Chang

    Falls somewhere between stale retread and half-hearted parody of superhero-movie formulas.

    Read Full Review

  • 60

    out of 100

    The Hollywood Reporter Kirk Honeycutt

    The movie isn't nearly as bad as you would expect when the studio holds its only press screening the night before a national opening.

    Read Full Review

  • 67

    out of 100

    Entertainment Weekly Owen Gleiberman

    This digitized update, with Jason Lee as a huskier, more generic Underdog, mostly drops the doggerel, but the endearing airborne-beagle effects help to offset the formula twists.

    Read Full Review

  • See all Underdog reviews at Metacritic.com

For Families provided by Common Sense Media

OK for kids 7+

Not too many new tricks left for the old Underdog.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that they might be more excited to see a beloved old cartoon transformed to a film than their kids. But even children who've never heard of the super crime-fighting dog will be drawn to a talking-animal movie. Although it's lighthearted, there is some mild, cartoonish violence involving characters being dragged through the street, getting hit with objects, and beging threatened by German Shepherds and a mad scientist and his sidekick. Dog owners: Don't be surprised if your young child pretends that your pet is Underdog.

  • Families can talk about the importance of helping others -- especially the people you love. How does Underdog help bring Jack and his dad together? How do they help Underdog? Kids: What would you do if your dog had superpowers? Families who've seen episodes of the old TV show can also talk about how it compares with this version.

The good stuff
  • message true3

    Messages: Underdog uses his superpowers to help the people of Capitol City.

What to watch for
  • violence false3

    Violence and scariness: Cartoonish violence: Cad is dragged through the street, crashes into bus stop; thieves get hit with trash cans and ladders; characters are tied up, surrounded by violent dogs; a girl and her dog are tied to a building right next to a bomb; Dr. Barsinister tries to blow up a building.

  • sex false0

    Sexy stuff: Dogs flirt and cuddle; a couple on the street kisses briefly; teenagers flirt, hug.

  • language false0

    Language: Mild insults: "imbecile," "screw it up," "idiot."

  • consumerism false3

    Consumerism: Time magazine, People magazine, Jay Leno, The Tonight Show.

  • drugsalcoholtobacco false0

    Drinking, drugs and smoking: Not an issue

Fan Reviews provided by

4

Underdog by pattie29
I saw previews when I went to see the Simpsons with my son. I thought to myself - "well, I don't think we'll see that one. Looks dumb." My 7 year-old-son asked to go with his friend, same age. Well, I was pleasantly surprised. It wasn't a "dumb" movie after all. It started right away and kept me interested and the two boys as well. I'd say go see it with your kids..... And it brought me back to my "youth" when I actually watched "Underdog"....

4

Underdog by 1959joy
We loved it. My 10 yr old laughed out loud and was moved almost to tears when appropriate. It was a kid's feel good movie

4

Underdog by MovieMan14
Had some funny parts. Is worth seeing.

4

Underdog at least as good as you think it will be... by fc family
It's hard to find a children's movie that the kids can watch and the parents are willing to sit through. Underdog was a good compromise. Entertaining and very cute. Not too dramatic or scary- so the 4 year old was fine. But just suspenseful enough to keep the 8 year old's attention. Overall, worth a trip to the movies.

5

It's Great! by Christy2052
The dog is adorable, and this movie is fun for all ages! I brought a seven year old, and he loved it and is STILL repeating his favorite lines! I also brought a two year old, and she stayed still the WHOLE time: and that's very hard to make her do! I recommend it because it is a great movie to see with friends and family, and the best part: it wasn't cheesy like most animated films!

4

Good Children's Adventure by blankster
Both my kids enjoyed the movie.They are 7 and 5. When I hear them laughing out loud and not talking and asking questions throughout the film, I know it is a good one.

4

Great Film for Kids!! Coming to DVD on 12/18 by MooVeeLover
I'm old. I remember Underdog being my favorite cartoon when I was a kid. I really didn't remember too much of it, until, in this version, I heard Polly say "Oh where, oh where has my Underdog gone" and when Underdog chimes "There's no need to fear, Underdog is here!" it all sort of came back to me. The animals are the stars (and the comic relief) of this movie. The humans (especially the short guy) are all sort of lame, but the interaction between the dogs is great. The kid is actually pretty good. If you're in your late 30s or early 40s and have kids, you'll all enjoy this movie! Not too much in terms of special features -- but do kids really want special features anyway?

5

Great Movie by carolk13
2 adults and 2 children, 5 and 15 went to see this movie. We didn't expect alot, but it was great. We laughed and all of us loved it. The 5 year old stayed interested all the way to the end. For him that's alot.

3

Kids thought it was OK by ifpk454
Evil sidekick slightly funny. Underdog's rhyming got annoying. Overall kids said it was OK.

5

Underdog by drtblossom
I took my 4 yr old and 11 yr old granddaughters and we all loved this movie. How wonderful to go to such a wholesome movie that the whole family can enjoy.

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