Underdog parents guide

Underdog Parent Guide

Overall B

It's a dog eat dog world, so that's why an ordinary beagle with extraordinary superpowers decides to don a cape and tights and try to save the citizens of Capitol City (especially the four-legged ones). A live action remake of the old cartoon series, Underdog features the voice talents of Jason Lee and Amy Adams -- and a lot of CGI effects.

Release date August 2, 2007

Violence B
Sexual Content B+
Profanity B+
Substance Use A-

Why is Underdog rated PG? The MPAA rated Underdog PG for rude humor, mild language and action.

Parent Movie Review

With the season’s big blockbusters out of the way, it’s time for the dog days of summer movie viewing options. So what better film is there to see than one about a crime-fighting canine based on a 1960s cartoon character.

In this live action reincarnation, Shoeshine (voice by Jason Lee) is a disgraced police trainee who is picked up off the streets by Cad (Patrick Warburton), the bumbling sidekick of an evil mad scientist Dr. Simon Barsinister (Peter Dinklage). Working late into the night the Doctor is perfecting a serum that will put everyone in Capital City under his control. He sends Cad out to collect stray mutts on whom he tests his potion.

Just before Shoeshine is able to escape from his captors, a laboratory mishap accidentally exposes him to the concoction. As a result, the dog develops extraordinary abilities of strength, hearing, speed and flight. But he’d willingly trade in all his powers just to be a normal pet after a night security officer (James Belushi) and his sulky, teenaged son, Jack (Alex Neuberger), adopt him.

At first glance, Jack wants nothing to do with the little brown mutt. However, he changes his mind when Shoeshine lets him in on his secret, including his ability to talk to humans. Convinced that Shoeshine should assume a secret identity and become a flying guard dog, Jack helps the pooch make a crime-fighting costume.

Taking on the name Underdog, Shoeshine reluctantly becomes a four-legged superhero. Yet, while his intentions are good, the pooch is a rather clumsy law enforcer who causes almost as much property damage as the criminals do. Knocking over newsstands, breaking windows and triggering car crashes, the little beagle nonetheless manages to help numerous victims. But not everyone is happy about his help. Hidden away in a secret sewer-level lab, Dr. Barsinister and Cad are creating a tonic that will strip the pesky pup of all his powers.

Along with moments of peril faced by the hero, the film contains sporadic slapstick violence, some crude portrayals of bodily functions and veiled sexual comments between Shoeshine and his canine lady friend Polly (voice by Amy Adams).

However, if youÕre a dog lover that doesn’t expect more than an afternoon of cartoonish escapism, Underdog will likely meet all your tail-waggin’ expectations.

Starring Jason Lee, Amy Adams, Peter Dinklage, Patrick Warburton. Theatrical release August 2, 2007. Updated

Underdog
Rating & Content Info

Why is Underdog rated PG? Underdog is rated PG by the MPAA for rude humor, mild language and action.

A clumsy little beagle gets super powers after a mad scientist injects him with a secret potion. As a crime fighter he accidentally starts a fire, causes car crashes, repeatedly breaks windows, destroys property and disrupts businesses. Other slapstick violence includes a man being hit by a heavy ball and attacked by dogs. The hero is also seen stealing food. The script contains brief references to bodily functions and some mild sexual comments along with occasional name-calling.

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Underdog Parents' Guide

Why does Shoeshine want to have a family and be a normal pet? Why is he hesitant to become a superhero? How does he help Jack and his father overcome their differences?

Why does Jack’s father give up his position as a policeman? How does his decision affect his son? What does Jack fail to understand about his father’s choice?

Home Video

The most recent home video release of Underdog movie is December 17, 2007. Here are some details…

Underdog flies onto DVD with a collection of bonus extras in its wake. These include bloopers, one of the cartoon episodes from the original Underdog, deleted scenes, a featurette (Sit, Stay, Act: Diary of a Dog Actor), and a music video (Underdog Raps by Kyle Massey). Audio tracks are available in Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround (English, French and Spanish), with subtitles in French and Spanish.

Related home video titles:

In Cats & Dogs, undercover canines posing as family pets do their part to protect mankind from evil felines. After a pampered, movie star pooch becomes lost, he is adopted as the mascot for a downtown fire station in Firehouse Dog.