Were Disney just another run-of-the-mill
widget-making business, I have no doubt that environmentalists would love
it, because there’s no company that recycles as much as it does. From
its substandard direct-to-video sequels of beloved animated classics to the
regular remakes of proven cash-cow concepts, the Mouse Factory knows how to
beat a dead horse better than any other Tinseltown dream factory. Although
Disney may never get points for originality, give the company credit for
squeezing every last cent out of a decent idea. The latest Disney retread is The Shaggy Dog, which incorporates
elements from the 1959 Fred MacMurray-Tommy Kirk feature of the same name
and the 1976 hit The Shaggy D.A., starring Dean Jones. Dare I mention there was a 1987
sequel and yet another 1994 remake, both done for TV? Any bit of
originality that was present in this premise withered away long ago —
yet what’s so surprising about this latest shaggy go-round is how
often it’s laugh-out-loud funny. Tim Allen goes canine this time, portraying
workaholic attorney Dave Douglas, who wants so badly to be named district
attorney that he puts his work before his family. Dave doesn’t
realize how good he’s got it: Wife Rebecca (Kristin Davis) is not
only understanding but also hotter than an iron skillet in Death Valley,
and his kids, Carly (Zena Grey) and Joe (Spencer Breslin), are bright,
vibrant kids who just want to be loved. Of course, the only way for Dave to realize how lucky
he is is to become a dog. This, of course, sets up many awkward
misunderstandings and allows the special-effects wizards at Disney to do
their magic — but what makes the film work is the sight of a
distinguished cast having so much fun with the material. Allen will never
be accused of being a great actor, but the doglike mannerisms he displays
as changes begin to occur in his body are effective and humorous. Equally
good is Robert Downey Jr., who, as scientist Marcus Kozak, goes canine as
well. Seeing this troubled but talented actor growl, yelp, and run on all
fours is as goofy as things get in Hollywood but proves damned
entertaining. Failure to Launch [PG-13]
When Trip, a 30-something slouch, won’t move out of the house, his
mother calls in the big guns: his dream woman. Parkway Pointe, ShowPlace East
The Hills Have Eyes [R]
A remake of the Wes Craven 1977 classic about a conventional family
traveling cross-country until they find themselves on a former government
testing site with a vicious mutant family. Parkway
Pointe, ShowPlace East
The Libertine [R] The
Earl of Rochester’s debauchery filled days of bars, babes and
brothels before his untimely death bolstered his poetry and life into
infamy. Parkway Pointe
Look at Me [PG-13] The
story of a young girl, Lolita, trying desperately to attract the attention
of her self-absorbed book-publisher father. The film pokes fun at the
literary world, but with a subtlety that makes the character’s flaws
touching. French with English subtitles. White Oaks
This article appears in Mar 9-15, 2006.
