Underdog (2007)

User Rating:

4.3/10   

Director:

Frederik Du Chau

Writers (WGA):

Adam Rifkin (screenplay) and
Joe Piscatella (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

3 August 2007 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Comedy | Family | Sci-Fi

Tagline:

One Nation, Under Dog.

Plot:

A lab accident gives a hound named Shoeshine some serious superpowers -- a secret that the dog eventually shares with the young boy who becomes his owner and friend.

Plot Keywords:

Dog | Superhero | Mad Scientist | Security Guard | Widower

Awards:

3 nominations

Cast

Jason Lee	...	Underdog (voice)
Peter Dinklage	...	Dr. Simon Barsinister
James Belushi	...	Dan Unger (as Jim Belushi)
Patrick Warburton	...	Cad
Alex Neuberger	...	Jack
Taylor Momsen	...	Molly
John Slattery	...	Mayor
Amy Adams	...	Polly (voice)
Brad Garrett	...	Riff Raff (voice)
Samantha Bee	...	Principal
Timothy Crowe	...	Police Chief
Larry Vigus	...	Security Guard
Mario Mariani	...	Police Officer
Bates Wilder	...	Cop
Alexander 'Alex' Garde	...	Small Boy

MPAA:

Rated PG for rude humor, mild language and action.

Runtime:

USA:84 min | Argentina:84 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

SDDS | DTS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

Singapore:PG | Hong Kong:I | Argentina:Atp | South Korea:All | Ireland:PG | UK:U | Germany:6 | Canada:G (all jurisdictions) | USA:PG (certificate #43454) | South Africa:PG | Australia:PG

Filming Locations:

Providence, Rhode Island, USA

Company:

Have No Fear Productions

Trivia:

General Mills breakfast cereal products are seen in the Unger household. The "Underdog" (1964) cartoon series was created by General Mills' ad agency to help promote their products.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: When Underdog is re-entering Earth’s atmosphere he starts to burn up, when he crashes back to earth and Jack rushes to him and picks him up, you can clearly see it is a puppet.

Quotes:

[from trailer]
Shoeshine Boy: Y'know, you never see dogs hurting each other for money.
Jack: You never see people sniffing each other's butts.
Shoeshine Boy: Touché.

Movie Connections:

Spoofs Lady and the Tramp (1955)

Soundtrack:

Underdog Raps

Underdog is honest, silly fun.

Occasionally, a film's trailer gives viewers a realistic preview. Such was the case with "Underdog". Here is a film with humor offered without the condescension and knowing winks delivered by Dreamworks Animation and its ilk. The story is a typical zap-the-hero setup and does not pretend to be otherwise.

The actors (human and animal alike) deliver professional performances. Peter Dinklage is delicious as the requisite mad scientist. James Belushi is surprisingly effective and believable as the dad. Unfortunately, Patrick Warburton has descended from acceptably quirky into shtick. Newcomer Alex Neuberger (in his second feature) gives his part a nice emotional balance and doesn't overplay his sidekick work.

The animal animation is nicely handled and devoid of gimmickry. This part of the movie industry deserves praise for continued development and polish.

Summers have blockbusters created by and viewed by blocks; Underdog reminds audiences that a simple, fun flick can be far more entertaining.