I didn't expect much from this one. It's slow pace and older feeling did not appeal to me, but I ended up really enjoying it.
The story is thick with morals, which, if I were to list them all, would seem too much, but they are not over-done. You do not feel preached to, but are aware of these lessons. I didn't necessarily agree with one, but that didn't lessen my enjoyment much.
The acting for the most part was simply adequate, but there were some brilliant parts where it really mattered. Young Charlie's (Bobby Ednar's) plea for the help of the lawyer was heart-rending. He was also very moving in the scene when Old Drum's life was on rocky ground after Drum had rescued Charlie.
Oh, and I just loved Uncle Lon's (John Shuck's) expression when he was being mercilessly teased, as well as his manner in the court room. Excellent, excellent job. Kathy Garver was also brilliant as his lovingly loyal wife.
And if a movie must have a narrator, something I'd usually rather avoid, let it be Randy Travis. His manner of speaking carries such charm that you can't be too annoyed by being told what's going on rather than just seeing it for your self.
The romance between Charles (Ron Perlman) and Ann (Alexis O'Keefe) is sweet and a nice little side story.
This movie was very predictable, having all the elements you expect from a boy and his dog movie, including the threat of rabies, but since it is so well done it doesn't take much away if anything.
I highly recommend it, and if you have young children watch it with them more than once so that you have the opportunity to discuss those morals that matter to you and really reach their hearts.
The story is thick with morals, which, if I were to list them all, would seem too much, but they are not over-done. You do not feel preached to, but are aware of these lessons. I didn't necessarily agree with one, but that didn't lessen my enjoyment much.
The acting for the most part was simply adequate, but there were some brilliant parts where it really mattered. Young Charlie's (Bobby Ednar's) plea for the help of the lawyer was heart-rending. He was also very moving in the scene when Old Drum's life was on rocky ground after Drum had rescued Charlie.
Oh, and I just loved Uncle Lon's (John Shuck's) expression when he was being mercilessly teased, as well as his manner in the court room. Excellent, excellent job. Kathy Garver was also brilliant as his lovingly loyal wife.
And if a movie must have a narrator, something I'd usually rather avoid, let it be Randy Travis. His manner of speaking carries such charm that you can't be too annoyed by being told what's going on rather than just seeing it for your self.
The romance between Charles (Ron Perlman) and Ann (Alexis O'Keefe) is sweet and a nice little side story.
This movie was very predictable, having all the elements you expect from a boy and his dog movie, including the threat of rabies, but since it is so well done it doesn't take much away if anything.
I highly recommend it, and if you have young children watch it with them more than once so that you have the opportunity to discuss those morals that matter to you and really reach their hearts.