Puppy Power

Disney, Disney, Disney – what is going on? Where have the days of perfect animation for all ages gone? Okay, so Enchanted was great, no qualms there but now you bring us this. Sigh. It's like one step forward and two steps back with you isn't it?

The story goes like this. A cute beagle is banished from the police force after mistaking a ham for a bomb. Somehow he ends up somewhere which, according to his badly coiffed neighbour, is worse than the pound. A crazy scientist is doing strange tests on helpless hounds to create superdogs, unfortunately it keeps going wrong. That is until the soon-to-be-known-as-Underdog beagle gets the right mix of superduper chemicals and becomes ten times more powerful, speaks 'human,' and can fly. He escapes. A man takes him home to his troubled teenage son. They fight crime. Evil scientist tries to catch him and take his DNA, you get it. There are no surprises and it's all very standard fare.

There's nothing wrong with Underdog but there's nothing special about it all. Children will probably like it which justifies the stars. Granted it's not meant for adults but the best children's films are almost without exception ones that the whole family can enjoy. This is one where you should plonk your kids in front of the TV while you go about your day. Going to the cinema for this is not an option. If your kids beg, bribe them.

©DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.