2006, Walt Disney Productions
Animation
Rating: G
Approx. 63 mins.
THE STORY:
Young Tod the fox and Copper the puppy are the best of friends despite their inherent differences. Although Copper is in training to be a hunting dog, he just doesn't seem to have the aptitude. Dejected about his short-comings, he goes to a fair where he discovers his passion: singing.
Before he knows it, Copper is the new soprano in The Singin' Strays, a group of harmonizing dogs led by Cash (Patrick Swayze). Copper lies and says he is a stray in order to take the place of difficult diva Dixie (Reba McEntire). He then gets so wrapped up in the excitement of his new world and preparation for a Grand Ol' Opry audition that he completely forgets about Tod.
Dixie and Tod realize that outing Copper as a non-stray solves both their problems, but instead they manage to alienate Copper, break up the band, cancel the audition, and cause complete chaos at the fair. Eventually, when everyone is honest about their feelings, they reflect on their wants and wrong-doings, and make amends.
Before he knows it, Copper is the new soprano in The Singin' Strays, a group of harmonizing dogs led by Cash (Patrick Swayze). Copper lies and says he is a stray in order to take the place of difficult diva Dixie (Reba McEntire). He then gets so wrapped up in the excitement of his new world and preparation for a Grand Ol' Opry audition that he completely forgets about Tod.
Dixie and Tod realize that outing Copper as a non-stray solves both their problems, but instead they manage to alienate Copper, break up the band, cancel the audition, and cause complete chaos at the fair. Eventually, when everyone is honest about their feelings, they reflect on their wants and wrong-doings, and make amends.
QUESTIONABLE LANGUAGE:
- none
VIOLENCE:
- none
TEACHING POINTS:
- don't take friends for granted; show appreciation for what they offer
- each character selfishly pursues what s/he wants without really respecting the relationship they are trying to protect
THE UPSHOT:
Oh what a difference 25 years makes. Gone are the terrifying fox traps, the ominous music, the dark colours, the threatening shadows, the wagons full of fox pelts, the red-eyed murderous animals, and the constant backdrop of one animal wanting the other's death. Tod and Copper are returned to cute, innocent childhood and the dramatic tension comes from a fear of humiliation in conflict with a fear of abandonment instead of a fear of death in conflict with murderous intent.
Whereas in the original movie, the issue was a broad social problem (bigotry), here, in another reflection of the times, the problems are all centred on the individual: jealousy, self-absorption, blind ambition.
The 5 year-old in the room had a real issue with the skewed time-line and the fact that the animals were back to a period in their childhood that the first movie made clear never existed. The music and the funny animal moves (pigs shaking their booties, etc.) were a hit, but there was no getting past the fundamental chronological impossibility.
The grown ups in the room were not impressed. It was better than the first movie for the reasons outlined above, but it was nothing special/ memorable/ original.
2/5
Whereas in the original movie, the issue was a broad social problem (bigotry), here, in another reflection of the times, the problems are all centred on the individual: jealousy, self-absorption, blind ambition.
The 5 year-old in the room had a real issue with the skewed time-line and the fact that the animals were back to a period in their childhood that the first movie made clear never existed. The music and the funny animal moves (pigs shaking their booties, etc.) were a hit, but there was no getting past the fundamental chronological impossibility.
The grown ups in the room were not impressed. It was better than the first movie for the reasons outlined above, but it was nothing special/ memorable/ original.
2/5
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