Underdog

Underdog is a Disney movie based on the cartoon character Underdog. This DVD first caught my eye while browsing the DVD section of Asda about 2 years ago. It caught my attention due to the cover picture being a Beagle in a red cape, I remember thinking something along the lines of "ooh a dog movie I haven't seen!" Upon closer inspection and reading the back cover this DVD turned into a 'must have' purchase as it also starred my favourite dog breed, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.


The Film
This film follows the story of a Beagle named Shoeshine, who is kicked out of the police force after a few too many embarrassing mistakes with his sense of smell. While wondering the streets the beagle (who at this point in the movie has no name) is kidnapped and taken to an experimental laboratory, where, in true Disney style, the beagle meets 'the bad guys'. The bad guys in this film are 2 crazy scientists, Dr Barsinister and his sidekick Cad, who are trying to develop a formula to take over the world. The beagle manages to escape the scientists and in the chaos of his escape he becomes covered in a mix of formulas and chemicals that give this beagle special powers.

After escaping and running out into the street the beagle is then hit by a car, thankfully, due to his superpowers he survives with no injuries and is taken home by ex-police officer Dan, who ran him over. The beagle then gains the name 'Shoeshine' as he likes to lick shoes, it is from here in the film that Shoeshine's adventures with Dan's son, Jack, begin.

When Shoeshine first arrives home Jack takes no interest in this dog and wants nothing to do with him, however after an amusing scene of dog and human discovering they cannot only understand each other but they can also talk to each other Jack takes a new interest in Shoeshine.

During their first trip to the park Jack and Shoeshine meet the editor of the school newspaper and her dog Polly, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Shoeshine is instantly smitten with Polly. Later that day Shoeshine will use his powers to rescue Polly and her owner from a street mugging and it is from here that Jack encourages him to use his powers to help and save people in a kind of Super-dog-hero fashion.

With Jack's dad's old high school sweater shrunk in the wash Shoeshine begins his adventures as a hero dog saving people. With the hero name of 'Underdog' Shoeshine is wow-ing the nation and becomes an overnight hero, because of this the 2 mad scientists who are determined to capture Underdog and get revenge for him wrecking their lab, come up with a plan to capture him.

From here the story continues to follow this adventures of Underdog and Jack and their efforts to outwit and defeat the mad scientists as well as Shoeshine's personal quest o win over the heart of Polly.


My Opinion
I found this film to be what I would describe as a 'Sunday morning' film. I found it enjoyable and easy to watch and although the acting isn't exactly amazing it is definitely a humorous and enjoyable film.

I have watched the film many times and at 29 years old I do enjoy it. I don't have to think to hard and I can just relax and watch it. I have watched the film with my little brother who was around 7 or 8 at the time and he sat through the whole thing laughing and then asking me if our dogs ever had super-powers what would they be. He enjoyed the film and didn't find any part of it scary. There are scenes of slight violence, but no more than any other Disney film I have seen and he was not disturbed by them in anyway.

More recently, I have watched this film with my flat mate who isn't really into Disney films and likes films which involve a lot of thinking (Inception style) her verdict on this film is that it is so silly that it is good and she would happily watch it again.

I think the animations of the dogs talking, moving and sometimes flying are really well done and look as realistic as is possible for their various situations.

Overall I really enjoy this film and would recommend it to anyone who is looking for something easy to simply watch and enjoy.


DVD Extras
The DVD has a few extras including Never-seen-before Bloopers, I have watched these and to be honest I wasn't too impressed as they are really obvious they were made especially for the extras part. There is one cute one which I think is a genuine one, it involves them trying to get Polly to give her paw and she does it repeatedly instead of once, this makes me laugh as its exactly what my cavalier does when she is over excited!

Other extras include Deleted scenes, which I found to be really boring and I think they were right to delete them. A music video by Kyle Massey of the Underdog Rap, this is quite catchy and good for a one time viewing. There is also an original Underdog cartoon Episode included in the extras so you can see where the idea for the movie comes from. I have to admit I didn't really like the cartoon as it wasn't that entertaining compared to the movie.


Other Info
Underdog was first released on DVD in 2007 and stars the voices of Jason Lee as Underdog and Amy Adams as Polly. James Belushi plays Dan and his son Jack is played by Alex Neuberger. Other stars include Peter Dinkladge and Patrick Warburton as the 2 mad scientists and John Slattery as the Mayor.

Underdog is available to buy in the shops at around £5 or it can be found on eBay for a little less.

A recommended and enjoyable Disney film for all ages.


Thanks for reading! :)