In 1959 we had THE SHAGGY DOG. In 1976 we had THE SHAGGY D.A. In 2006, we have nearly half a dozen writers combining elements from both movies with a little bit of a twist and modern spin to come up with the new version of
THE SHAGGY DOG starring Tim Allen( Dave Douglas), the assistant district attorney who is prosecuting Justin Forrester (Joshua Leonard) for arson at a scientific lab. Forrester is a history teacher who believes that the lab is using animals in testing and harming them. Dave is a man who is about to be made district attorney after the current district attorney (Danny Glover) retires, assuming he can win this big case. He has neglected his wife (Kristin Davis) and kids , (Zena Grey & Spencer Breslin) for so long he doesn’t even know what’s going on in his own house. At the moment, his main concern is prosecuting his daughter’s teacher and protecting the property of his clients (Robert Downey, Jr. & Philip Bajer Hall) while contending with a very impatient judge (Jane Curtain).
His daughter is an animal activist, as well, and believes in her teacher’s innocence. She and her boyfriend decide to break into the lab. They end up bringing home a sheepdog. The dog, although smart and friendly, ends up biting Dave, sending a furry, little virus into his bloodstream, eventually changing him into a sheepdog as well.
Of course, the metamorphosis always seems to happen at inopportune moments or sometimes when Dave would like but before he has thought through all of the consequences of his actions.
If anything, it opens his eyes to the animal world and to his family as he begins to see everything that he’s been missing. There are a few other minor actors that are recognizable and some material with Craig Kilborn that has it’s moments but could be funnier.
Some of the CGI and puppetry is a little cartoonish but I believe it was meant to be. On the other hand, a couple of the bluescreen shots were a little off. There are a few scenes that are a little over the top but will appeal to the masses. The final scene could’ve been cut and the ending simply could’ve been the next-to-last scene, but once again, it will probably appeal to the masses. It has some funny gags and a lot of thought was put into some of the things that a dog would think at certain moments.
One can definitely see a lot of Allen’s humor within the film (and possibly one of his beautiful hotrods). It’s also nice to see Downey playing a more major role instead of short bits and cameos. Overall, the new version of THE SHAGGY DOG is lovable, goofy fun and deserves at least 1 paw up and a wag of the tail.
Keep watching my space for review of Shaadi Se Pehle
Till my next
Salaam | Namaste
-Sachien