If you liked previous films in the Benji dog series, you may like this one too, but not necessarily. Since there has been only one previous review during the last 12 years, and that was last year, I assume that this film is pretty much off the radar of films to see. It grossed only a few million $s upon it's initial release: much less than the first 2 Benji films, produced about 30 years before. But, since it came as part of a 4 pack of Benji films, I decided to see and review it.

There are actually two rather similar-looking free-ranging dogs in this story for most of the film, thus similar to "Benji". One is nameless until the finale, when it is chosen to be Benji for an upcoming film. The smaller of the two is named Shaggy, by Mr. Finch: a lonely senior citizen, who tries to lure it into staying as a pet, by leaving bowls of food and water on the front porch. Both dogs were found in separate animal shelters and trained to be actors.

The plot centers around a substandard breeding operation, and especially one dog and its mother, which the owner considers his most valuable breeder. But, it's in very poor physical condition because of substandard care, and overbreeding, as detailed by the vet, near film's end.

The few reviews thus far are mostly split between those who love the film, and those who hate it, one declaring it the worse film they have ever seen! One said their young child was either bored or terrified by most scenes. This is similar to negative reviews of the previous "For the Love of Benji". In both these films, unlike the initial "Benji", Benji was in trouble for most of the film. Also, "Benji" included 2 sub-teen kids who were important characters, not present in the subsequent 2 films. As an adult, I felt "Benji" was too bland for me, except for the kidnapping section. I found these 2 more recent films more interesting. But, perhaps many young kids don't want to see Benji usually in trouble? Perhaps the ideal viewer for these 2 films is someone like me: an older teen or adult who likes some dogs(hopefully including Benji), but who has minimal contact with real dogs. Elderly lonely Mr. Finch in the film, is a good example of such a person. Hence, perhaps these 2 films were marketed to the wrong people: families with small children and a friendly, lovable, dog.

The primary source of the periodic comical relief is the 2 clown-like dimwit Animal Control field operators, who keep trying to capture one dog or the other, sometimes engaging in slapstick humor. However, eventually, when the 2 dogs lead them to where Daisy is laying, very sick, they immediately take her to the vet. In addition, one of them has quite a good singing voice, singing the old standard "It had to be You" during the ending credits.

Almost forgot to mention Merlin: the talkative cockatoo, as providing a bit of humor now and again.

I can recommend purchasing the 4-film Benji DVD packet: not expensive, if you think you may be one of the ideal viewers.

We just returned from seeing this film, which opened today in our city. While it's by no means "great art" -- the plot and dialog are pretty basic -- the children around us were all laughing at the appropriate places and seemed involved in the story. When your movie-going experience is punctuated by people around you laughing or going "Awwww..." at the appropriate places, you have to assume they're enjoying themselves.

In an era when so much of what we see in films is created by computer, it was interesting to see the statement in the credits that there was NO computer-generated or animatronic stuff in this film and that all of the actions done by the animals were in reality done by the animals. I also think it's neat that the dogs in the film were actually adopted from animal shelters in different cities and were trained to be in this movie.

The film's humor is directed at younger children, especially the scenes involving the slapstick dog catchers, which older viewers might find a bit overdone. There are also some heavier aspects to the plot, but the children around us didn't seem to react to those so my assumption is that those parts just didn't resonate with the kids and that they were more involved with the cute dogs and what was happening with them.

I thought that the young man who played the lead character(or perhaps I should say, the lead HUMAN character!) did an especially nice job. Nick Whitaker's portrayal of Colby was one of the better acting roles of the film.

Bottom line: It's mainly a kids' movie, and it's a clean kids' movie (no off-color language or foul jokes). If it gets a bit sentimental at times, it makes up for it by showing just how expressive dogs can be, even without the power of speech. Oh -- and if you go, be sure to stay for the credits, which include scenes of the filming.

Good family movie...includes domestic violence--though not graphically--against people and animals, which make it a cut above some animal comedies. I guess sometimes the animals ARE smarter than we humans..we are just too proud to admit it. But, this is a worthwhile watch...you will "boo" the villains( some of whom, ironically, morph into heroes before the end), root for the good guys...and it fairly well works itself out in the end. A lot of human actors prefer not to work with animal actors because animals steal the scenes. But this is a dog--or several dogs--having their day, and it is a bit of a romp, joyously as well as tragically. Mostly for kids, but worthwhile watching.