7.5 stars, rounding up to 8. My family wanted to go so I took them, not eagerly after reading the Rotten Tomatoes assessment. Darned if I didn't like it. I think the key was, early on, just letting myself go and suspending belief. Some of the illusions just would not seem viable otherwise. What helped was the breakneck pacing. It starts out at 90 miles per hour and does not let up. No chance to reflect or get bored because once you start, BAM!, it's off to something else. The plot, generally, I do not find plausible. I saw the ending criticized elsewhere. Again, suspend belief and it is not a problem. Magic is kind of fun to me, and I think that helped get me through. I would recommend this movie to a friend, along with some of my advice above for viewing.
Reviews
2 Reviews
Hotel for Dogs
(2009)
Simple fun, a few bad messages
17 January 2009
Warning: Spoilers
I saw this with my family including two children ages 6 and 9. We all liked it. I generally try to avoid movies such as this but ended up liking it in spite of myself.
I object to the depiction of animal control officers as jack-booted thugs intent on harassing animal lovers. In real life, animal control officers enforce important animal laws including those for anti-cruelty. Animal control officers investigate every report of mistreatment of animals, taking appropriate action that may include impoundment to protect an animal's health and safety, owner education, arrest and prosecution, inspections to ensure compliance with the law and assistance with spay/neuter or veterinary care.
I also object to an element in the "happy ending" in which some of the strays have puppies. These strays should have all been spayed or neutered. By making sure that your pet can't have puppies or kittens, you'll have peace of mind that his or her offspring won't be euthanized in an animal shelter. Nationwide more than 3 million cats and dogs are euthanized in shelters each year.
I object to the depiction of animal control officers as jack-booted thugs intent on harassing animal lovers. In real life, animal control officers enforce important animal laws including those for anti-cruelty. Animal control officers investigate every report of mistreatment of animals, taking appropriate action that may include impoundment to protect an animal's health and safety, owner education, arrest and prosecution, inspections to ensure compliance with the law and assistance with spay/neuter or veterinary care.
I also object to an element in the "happy ending" in which some of the strays have puppies. These strays should have all been spayed or neutered. By making sure that your pet can't have puppies or kittens, you'll have peace of mind that his or her offspring won't be euthanized in an animal shelter. Nationwide more than 3 million cats and dogs are euthanized in shelters each year.
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