HOTEL for DOGS

2009, DreamWorks Animation

Live action

Rating: PG

Approx. 100 mins.

THE STORY:

Orphans Andi (Emma Roberts) and Bruce (Jake T. Austin) are lucky to be together but unlucky to be with rocker, slacker foster parents (Lisa Kudrow and Kevin Dillon) who barely give them any time or thought. In their corner is their social worker, Bernie (Don Cheadle) who is frustrated by the limited options he has to help the kids.

Andi and Bruce discover a derelict hotel and rescue a few stray dogs. One thing leads to another, and before they know it, they have transformed the hotel into a home for homeless dogs. Bruce puts his inventive streak to use by making activities and equipment for the dogs, and a couple of friends help out with the labour.

The kids manage to keep their project secret for a little while, but inevitably they are discovered. They risk losing their dogs, their foster home and even each other; but in the end, justice prevails and a happy ending is enjoyed by all.

QUESTIONABLE LANGUAGE:

• Oh my God
• Freaking
• Damn
• Stupid

VIOLENCE:

• some scary scenes in which dogs are threatened physically and verbally
• very obvious references to dogs being killed

TEACHING POINTS:

• There's light at the end of the tunnel
• Don't just wish you could do things-- do them

THE UPSHOT:

Meh.
Implausible story, sappy ending, full of tropes and cliches guaranteed to make tween girls swoon. Another one of those, "How do they get these people to do these movies?" (Kudrow, Dillon... Don Cheadle?) moments.

That said, it's harmless enough, has cute dogs, and is full of positive outcomes.

2.5/5