Hotel for Dogs Review
Nickelodeon Stars Headline Family Movie: New to DVD April 28, 2009
Apr 24, 2009
Emma Roberts (niece to Julia Roberts) is well known to kids from her hit show “Unfabulous” that has survived four seasons already. Jake Austin is just as familiar from his fantasy show, “Wizards of Waverly Place” and as the voice of the title character in “Go, Diego, Go!” Before they even started, this movie was sure to be a big hit with the kids, with these two front and center.
Can it be a big hit for adults, too? After all, most of these adults are well known too – Don Cheadle, Lisa Kudrow, and Kevin Dillon of Entourage fame. Somewhat surprisingly, it translates well for all ages, despite some holes in the storytelling and a definite dumbing-down of its content.
Nickelodeon Kids Come Through With Flying Colors
Roberts and Austin play orphaned siblings Andi and Bruce, and while it must be said that they are undoubtedly the best-dressed and most well-adjusted orphans to ever grace the screen, this seems to be a director’s choice and not a lack of depth on the kids’ part. They play the sibling vibe well, and their trials strike a nice middle chord – not too tragic, but their sadness is felt a couple times.
Emma Roberts really shows her potential here, and it bodes well for her more mature upcoming roles. Comedy may not be her forte, but she will do just fine in dramatic or adventure type films. Her next project to hit theatres costars Alec Baldwin and Rory Caulkin, and looks to be a first step away from Nickelodeon.
Suspension of Belief Required, in Support of a Good Cause
If viewers go into this movie knowing that none of it could really happen, they will be saved an eye roll or ten. It’s not that the story is completely ridiculous, just much too neat for life. While this is a well-done movie, it is still a kids’ movie, and the main goal of the director seems to be to have as little unpleasantness as possible.
It would have helped if the material had been a little funnier, but it’s animal-based and cutesy, which only goes so far. Rather than a comedy, this ends up being an absorbing, 100% feel-good movie with a sweepingly emotional ending. This is where Don Cheadle’s commanding presence is helpful, as he saves the day with a heartfelt animal-loving speech, and everyone goes home happy. Even the dogs.
Even PETA Members Can Be Happy
The film’s biggest plus is its completely humane treatment of dogs, and its pure disgust for places like the pound which keep animals confined in small metal cages. The ending moral of the movie has to do with family, including pets, and applying the Golden Rule to every living being. These kids do a great job of it throughout, and the message will be an important one for their legions of fans.
