Underdog

Usually there isn’t a dog movie I don’t like. I think I’ve seen them all: the Benji movies, “Zeus and Roxanne,” “Turner and Hooch,” and “Firehouse Dog” to name a few. Unfortunately, now I can add “Underdog” to the list. Although the beagle is a cutie, this movie is a dog – pun intended. Based on the 1970s cartoon, “Underdog” is about a dog that gains superpowers via the experiments of villain Simon Barsinister (Peter Dinklage). Unlike the cartoon series that included several levels of humor, the movie relies on the cute factor – cute dog, cute tricks, cute dog, cute costume, cute dog…you get the idea. Young children will like the movie, however. (8/4/07)