User Reviews

Just saw this tonight -- it was the opening film for this year's Berlin Berlinale. Went with my 8-yr. old daughter and two friends, one adult, one 14-yr. old, and we all enjoyed ourselves. It's a basic coming-of-age film -- not particularly out-of-the ordinary in terms of genre, but well-done, professional and very likable. Some good writing, good characters, beautiful Western Australian locations, and Phoenix -- the dog lead -- is just great. The film was recommended for 8 & up at the Berlinale, and I thought it worked well for my daughter. The film also hints at a few more thorny issues -- colonialism, abandonment, adult relations -- but also manages to keep the basic Boy meets Dog story at the center. For me it was a welcome relief to watch a good-quality live-action children's film, rather than another animated one.

Five years after Red Dog proved to be a smash hit at the Australian box office, the eponymous red kelpie is leaping back onto the silver screen, ready to win over holiday audiences once again in the sequel Red Dog: True Blue. Set immediately before the events of the first film, the story this time around is a coming of age story about a young boy who, after being sent to live with his grandfather in the West Australian outback, has a chance encounter with Red Dog that blossoms into a one of a kind friendship.

Much like the first one, the film is a throwback to an old-fashioned type of family entertainment, before animal features involved CGI talking heads and loud and noisy special effects took front stage in lieu of genuine heart. It's only let down by its over eagerness to replicate what made the first film a big hit, that it often feels like it's lagging behind. It devotes a fair bit of the opening to replaying scenes from the first film, this time through the perspective of a middle-aged man sitting in a theatre watching the film with his children. We see his red, teary eyes glued to the screen, clearly touched by the story that has unfolded, which afterwards inspires him to recount his own childhood encounter with the dog. This meta moment feels a little bit like the sequel kissing its own butt for lack of a better expression. As a framing device, it's effective, but it can't shake off the shameless feeling that it's trying to coax audiences into remembering how teary they may have felt themselves after the first film, in case they forgot in the intervening years. It only sets up the sequel for failure as True Blue never manages to recreate this emotional punch, even when it desperately tries to turn on the waterworks once again towards the end.

While this brings the film down a notch, wedged between these scenes is a film of comparable quality. It's light, breezy and frequently funny, with some mild third act drama, when a bush fire encroaches on the grandfather's cattle farm, adding some excitement to the affable proceedings. When a detour into Aboriginal mysticism threatens to veer into hokey territory, the film wisely strays away from any heavy-handed depictions, maintaining a light touch throughout.

Verdict: Even though lightning doesn't exactly strike twice with True Blue, it still offers a solid piece of family entertainment that's replete with heart and a good-natured sense of humour, even if it won't win you over quite the same.

6.5/10

I feel bad having to give only a five rating as the lead character was a young person who acted his heart out and did so well but the movie doesn't deserve a higher ranking. I would have enjoyed it ever so much more if it didn't have the feel of movie-making by numbers: we must have some homosexual characters, we must knock Christians (this time mission nuns), we must have mystical Aboriginals etc... political correctness will be the death of good story telling. There is nothing wrong with each of these individually but it felt contrived as if the director had to get them on screen somehow.

And as much as I love stories about dogs I felt this one tried to milk that good will too much. The dog chasing the plane when the boy leaves, it was all too much. Maybe I would give it a higher rating if it hadn't been called Red Dog as it felt like a blatant cashing-in on that crazily enjoyable film.

This wasn't a story about the dog it was a story about a boy becoming a man. Great scenery, great acting and great dog it just didn't come together as a good story.

A charming friendship story, a love story, good acting, supernatural events, humor and magic and few sadness and the perfect end. A film for entire family, inspired by an Australian legend. It is difficult to say more because it is one of films with precise purpose , precise target and precise...dog. So, a charming film. And the best part , for me, remains the great Australian landscapes.

This was a nice "doggie" story but fairly predictable and did not seem to relate much to the original story in the book.

One question that comes to mind also is how much research did the film crew do on props? This was a period story set in the late sixties / early seventies. The cars and (e.g.) suitcases looked authentic, but what about the guitar that Stemple (the young stock man) was often seen playing? This looked to me like a modern Maton guitar! There are are hundreds of vintage Maton guitars out there, so why not use one from the correct period?.

These days if you are going to make a period story set forty years ago, at least make a bit more effort with the props!

The original Red Dog is a 9/10 film for me, an iconic movie so any further films have a tough act to follow but I think True Blue does well. It's a different take on it, an original story that explores the origins and whilst its not a classic like Red Dog, it's a good film in its own right. I liked all the characters, I liked that its somewhat simple and I just like the story. You can't have enough Outback Australia and Red Dog. I definitely recommend it as good entertainment.

The return of the Red Dog. It has been five years since the first film. Who knew it, I never expected a film like that could get a sequel. That was inspired by a true event, but not this one. It was actually a prequel that tells the story of Red's earlier life, where did he come from, his owner et cetera. No one knows the real story, but after the 'Red Dog's success, seems they were desperate for the one more shot, hence this fictional account was born.

Not as good as the first. In fact, no way anywhere near to that. All they did was to add all the possible ingredients to it to make it appeal everybody. So basically it looks like another 'Free Willy: Escape from Pirate's Cove'. With enough comedies, adventures, one Chinese guy, aboriginal legend, storm and obviously the sentiments that strike at the right time.

From the same director and the writer, but not the dog. The original award winning dog, Koko, for the role Red had died after a year later the film got released. After hearing that, I got emotional as same as the film he had starred in. That was one of the best dog films ever and one of the best tearjerker as well. Then I wanted to see this one too, but I had knew it won't surpass the original. So I had to keep my expectations low for it.

This new guy called Phoenix was as good as Koko, but his role had a lesser scope. The effort/dedication/performance was the same, which is highly appreciable. Besides, he was very adorable. In fact, I felt hurt whenever he run alongside the motorbike. It might be natural, but I thought it was inhumane. I believe it was the multiple shots, not a single run. Coming to the story, it was told from a boy's perspective, his relation with the Red, but the original name was Blue.

❝True blackness has a power all of its own. It doesn't just swallow light. It's like it swallows your soul.❞

I did not like the opening scene. I thought it was very ordinary. So I guessed it's going to be a terrible film. But it did not take long to get back to the point. Once the flashback had started, it looked a different film. The entire narration was a recall. More a bedtime story. A father reveals to his son about the dog he'd lived with when he was at his age in the rural Australia in his grandfather's place. How he had found the dog and grew together, their friendship, mischiefs and other adventures. Then what happened later between them, all his life events with the Blue was told.

As I said, the screenplay was average, but the performances saved the film. The boy, the dog and all the co-stars were very good. The locations were even better. Just like the previous film, it was an ideal setting. The overall film was enjoyable, but the ending was very emotional. Having seen the first, anybody would have an idea what might come at the end, but not knowing how. I thought the same, but was not expecting the sentiments. The film ended with high. It also closed at where the original film had started, to make a perfect flow.

One thing I did not get was the unnecessary supernatural events. Yeah, I know the story sets in the Pilbara region, hence borrowed some local legend to stretch the storyline. But with the wildfire scene, it leans too much on that concept, making to slip away from the actual focus of the film. More than that, the film never clearly explained that segment.

Now the real question is the story of Red/Blue ends here or can be expected more drag with a prequel and a sequel. First of all, I am not very happy with the fictional account. For that reason alone, it is not a must see. Because it could mislead the original film's die hard fans. So they should have given the statement at the opening that it was not based on the real. Other than that, it is a decent film in the 'Red Dog' series. Finally, I would say, it is a good film, but not the best.

7/10

Australia's favorite dog is back and this time he has a background of where he came from! The most loyal and Australian dog has become a worldwide sensation and has made everyone around the world fall in love with him.

A little boy named Mick (Levi Miller) has moved from Perth and into the outback with his Grandfather until he gets his life on track. Within a couple of days a storm hits and the next day after the storm he finds a little puppy covered in blue. He names him "True Blue" only to later discover he is a Red looking Dog. For a whole year they grow a friendship that could never be broken. Together we see the love they have for each other.

All in all, this movie is just like the first one. It's like a refreshment or reminder of the dog we fell in love with. It offers nothing new nor nothing incredible. Acting wasn't that good, and it tries too hard on making Australian jokes that aren't really that funny. The only great actor in this was "red Dog" himself. By the time you get to the ending you see just how sad it is when best friends have to go away. But either way red Dog really was an inspiration to Australia and he's a great example of what a true friend really is. The Autistic Reviewers give this a 6/10. 2.5/5 stars. It's worth seeing. But if you haven't already check the first one out!

A father takes his two young sons to see Red Dog. After the movie he describes to his oldest son how Red Dog is based on the story of a dog he had as a boy - Blue. From this we see the period in the man's childhood when Blue was his dog, their trials and tribulations living on a farm in a remote part of Western Australia.

The first Red Dog was interesting, engaging and very emotional. This movie just seems like an attempt to cash in on the success of that movie.

The story is quite lightweight and unengaging. Quite clumsy too, especially the segue from the father and sons watching the movie to it turning into a prequel to Red Dog. Even the adventures the boy and the dog go on seem very unexciting. While the original movie worked for both adults and children, this one was definitely made for kids, and kids only.

Good family movie and sad at the end....................

Animal abandonment hits me hard.

I did not see the first movie and I do not know the story about this dog.

I was lured in by the description. Boy finds scruffy dirty puppy that later becomes a legend.

I waited all movie to find out when the legend part was going to happen only to see a broken hearted dog chasing the helicopter the boy was in as he left to live with his mom.

The boy who is now a man with his own family narrates the story.

As the movie ends he reveals that he never seen his dog again. Which means the dog wandered for the rest of his life looking for the boy and was never reunited.

Meanwhile the boy grew up and had a fulfilled life. Lots of great education, fell in love, got a great job and had his own children.

The first movie of Red Dog tells more of the adventures of the Red dog which shows him helping people. Yet the dog searched for his boy until he died.

Red Dog, one of the greatest Aussie movies of all time. It had everything, great story, tons of heart, characters you would hang out with in an instant, captured a time and place perfectly. Then there's this .. whatever it is. A complete and utter mess that I feel has and will rip people off. People who are expecting something of the original. Other than being set in Western Australia and having a dog in it, of a red tinge, there is nothing that is remotely similar to the original. The acting is of a standard that would barely pass an audition for a children's TV show. I mean Bryan Brown, come on. The 'Block of Wood' with eyes might have got you through in your 'Prime' such as that was or wasn't but the ad you recently did as a talking duck was better than this. At least we didn't have to see your constant and unwavering Grumpy Old Man face. The character development is fairly non existent, none of the characters are very likable, even the poor dog can't rise above the pedestrian directing. The story is told from the perspective of the 'original' owner of the Red Dog and is mostly one long, long, flashback. The film starts off in a shallow, clichéd fashion and never gets any better. The main Character, both present day older man and flashback younger version , is whiny and unlikeable. It's hard to feel anything for him. The supporting cast are a letdown, shallow and one dimensional, nothing like the bunch of loners, lovable rogues, and refugees from the world that made the first film so irresistible . The scenery is stark and portrays life in that part of the world fairly accurately, the soundtrack is a mix of great old Aussie tunes but doesn't fit well. It's almost like the soundtrack should be in a better movie. This movie was a massive disappointment, and should never have been released as anything to do with Red Dog.

I enjoyed this from start to finish. Following Jason Isaacs as he flashes back to the late 1960's when he was a young boy and was sent to live with his grandfather (Bryan Brown) -who I always like- at a remote western Australia cattle station. He expects days of boredom and drudgery from his homeschooling but instead finds adventure and a lifelong friend in the form of a scrappy self assertive dog with bright red fur he finds after a storm.

It's adventure, family, friendship, set in a beautiful location, some Australian folklore which I really enjoyed, interesting things from the late 60s, returning Vietnam veteran stockman the "brothers" Big and Little John who aren't really brothers but had found a way to be together. Red dog was fantastic, showcasing true Kelpie; loyal to one person, strong of will and spirit.

This was also one of those movies that by the end had me wishing I d never watched it because it has the saddest ending ever. So sad I have to try not to think about it, so sad the person I watched it with said its more than sad it was heartbreaking, even sadder when you realize that this is a prequel and what that meant for 'Blue' for the entire other movie Red Dog. Yeah I cried

The scene cuts in this were really strange, one of the first things I noticed. They just didn't seem to flow and made the movie feel choppy? The acting in this movie was very subpar which really surprised me? When I saw the cast I thought I was in for a treat but no? The jokes seemed very forced and fell flat nearly every time. It almost felt like people from overseas trying to write Aussie "jokes". I didn't understand the supernatural aspect of this movie, I assume that bit was just the older Mike trying to spook his son maybe. But it just didn't seem to make sense and felt out of place (again). The ending was genuinely sad but I couldn't help but feel the whole time watching it "I know you're just trying to make me feel the same thing I felt in the first" so it just didn't do the same for me.

But my main annoyance with this movie was Red Dog. In the 1st Red Dog, Red (or blue I guess) always seemed to have a place, his presence pushed the movie along and brought people together. His presence in the movie made sense and brought together all the central conflicts and helped resolve them.

In Red Dog 2, Blues presence does nothing but provide a cute face. This movie was honestly just a coming of age movie and you could have removed the dog and nothing would really change? His presence really did nothing to push the movie along and it wasn't until nearly the end that he actually did something. Also in this movie Blues presence makes barely any impact on anyone but Mike. In the 1st he connected with everyone he came into contact with (even the "evil" cat!), but in this, nothing? It was just bizarre. Look I'm not going to be entirely negative. This is a perfectly watchable movie, I would by no means walk out of it and I had a pretty enjoyable time watching it. As a film by itself, it's fine. Just compared to the first movie you can't help but see all the downfalls about this film.

Red Dog was a beautiful, emotionally moving, incredible tribute to a real dogs undying loyalty. I actually cry thinking about that movie I'm not even joking. In fact in the opening scene when you see the devastating montage of the first I legitimately started bawling just remembering it with the music. Red Dog: True Blue just doesn't contain that same magic that tugs at the heart strings. You can tell it's desperatley trying to do that but just falls flat and seems like a typical cash grab. I feel the director and writers genuinely tried to live up to the former magic but let's be honest, you can't beat the first and I tend to go by this rule with movies, if it's not broke don't try to fix it.

The film immediately captivated by its plot. I did not expect the Red Dog series to take its cues from The Human Centipede saga, which broke the fourth wall in the exact same manner with its second instalment, yet here we are. If they made this doggie in the NFT Iguverse it would be great. These days, new technologies allow you to do incredible things. Every doggie can become his owner's NFT and give him an unforgettable experience. As an original Boys Own adventure, the film succeeds in painting a vividly nostalgic, if necessarily episodic, picture of an old-fashioned European Australian outback experience of sturdy men in a hard land.

The sequel to red dog. This ones about a dog. A red one

Surely a more cynical film has never been made than this one. I didn't see "Red Dog" (1) but my wife raved about it. Having time to kill, I chose to see the "prequel". It was soon obvious that the film was a calculated tear-jerker. All the politically correct boxes were ticked, especially the Aboriginal sub-plots. The film is aimed at the pre-teen market. The inclusion of Lang Hancock as a crusty old lovably character must have been an attempt (successful?) to get some funding from his daughter, Gina Rinehart. I would rate this 1/10 but the photography deserves a point. Some talented actors were wasted in the production. Did they see the script before signing their contracts or are they really desperate for work?

As the sequel to the heartwarming Australian classic, "Red Dog 2: Blue Dog" manages to capture the spirit and emotional resonance of its predecessor while introducing new elements to the beloved story. Directed by a different team with Kriv Stenders passing the torch to another capable director, this installment continues the legacy of the iconic canine, forging an emotional journey that tugs at the heartstrings.

"Red Dog 2: Blue Dog" follows the adventures of a new canine companion, Blue Dog, in the Australian outback. The film maintains the essence of the original by exploring themes of loyalty, friendship, and the unspoken bond between humans and their four-legged companions. The decision to introduce a new dog allows for a fresh perspective while honoring the legacy of Red Dog, whose memory continues to loom large over the characters and the landscape.

One of the standout features of the film is its commitment to capturing the breathtaking landscapes of the Australian outback. The cinematography remains a visual feast, portraying the vast and diverse terrains that serve as the backdrop to the characters' journeys. The arid beauty and expansive vistas contribute to the film's immersive quality, enhancing the emotional impact of the narrative.

The storytelling in "Red Dog 2: Blue Dog" unfolds with a similar narrative structure to its predecessor, blending humor, adventure, and poignant moments seamlessly. The film continues the tradition of using flashbacks and anecdotes to convey the emotional weight of the characters' experiences, deepening the connection between the audience and the on-screen personalities. This storytelling approach is effective in eliciting laughter and tears, creating a well-rounded emotional experience.

The cast, led by a new ensemble, delivers strong performances that resonate with authenticity. The chemistry among the characters is palpable, and the relatable portrayals enhance the film's emotional impact. While the absence of Josh Lucas may be felt by fans of the original, the new cast successfully steps into their roles, breathing life into the narrative and maintaining the film's emotional resonance.

"Red Dog 2: Blue Dog" manages to expand on the themes of community and connection, introducing new characters and relationships that add depth to the story. The film explores the impact of dogs on people's lives and how the bonds formed with these loyal companions transcend time and circumstances. It successfully navigates the delicate balance between paying homage to the original and carving its own path, offering a meaningful continuation of the Red Dog legacy.

With a rating of 9/10, "Red Dog 2: Blue Dog" earns high praise for its emotional depth, stunning cinematography, and successful continuation of the Red Dog saga. While some may argue that sequels often struggle to live up to the magic of the original, this film defies expectations, delivering a captivating and emotionally resonant experience that will leave audiences both satisfied and moved. It stands as a testament to the enduring power of storytelling and the universal themes of love, loyalty, and the indomitable spirit of man's best friend.

No depth in the characters no depth in the story..Only nice landscapes and clear shots. As if only the director of photography made the film and the director was missing. Shallower than soap opera.