Fun for the whole family, the movie Robo-Dog comes to DVD and it’s a winner. The film has good acting, direction and very good special effects. There have been other films that may remind you of the story, but should not bother youngsters who like animals and kids their age getting into a mess now and then. You’ll have your 4 to 7 year old asking to watch it over and over again.
The story centers on Tyler Austin (Michael Campion) a boy of around 12-years-old who loves his dog he named Dog when he received him as a pet. Inseparable, the two play together and Dog even acts as the house wake-up alarm. Wanting to find a ball that he dropped in the Attic, Dog goes up to fetch it only to become trapped in the hot environment and does not survive. Downhearted Tyler’s father Tom (Patrick Muldoon), an inventor, invents a robot that looks exactly like Dog and it even talks. When Tyler gets presented with his robotic dog he’s hesitant at first, but after it starts to give him good advice, all seems ok.
The film goes on from there with Tom’s ex-boss Mr. Willis (Wallace Shawn) wanting to get the robotic dog for himself to make millions of dollars. Director Jason Murphy moves his story along at a fast pace showing the evil in Willis as he tries to steal Tom’s invention. Murphy includes several family values and adds a lot of comedy to the film through sight gags and situations while making it adventurous for Tyler and his friends. The villains are funny in their own right bungling their chances at getting Robo-Dog and being appropriately chastised for their actions.
Leading actor Patrick Muldoon (The Dog who Saved Easter, The Dog who Saved Summer) does a terrific job of portraying the father who wants to cheer his son up with the robot dog. He plays a brilliant engineer who designs a battery that charges itself making his robot dog look alive at all times. Muldoon’s character shows the love he has for his son and his wife (Olivia d’Abo) and other qualities of having a family.
As Tyler, Michael Campion shows his ability to express the feelings of his character from innocent love for others and respect for his family. He’s strong in the face of losing his best friend Dog, but with the help of his parents he overcomes the depression. When Robo-Dog embarrass him in front of his girlfriend Chloe (Tara McDonald), Tyler starts to realize that life has ups and downs with which he must cope. What he really learns however is how to forgive, the meaning of love and helping others. Campion has a good future ahead, but must seek out roles that have the backing of a major studio.
Robo-Dog has not been rated by the MPAA, but does have a few sticky situations. In all however, consider a moving rating of PG. Think Disney’s Frankenweenie with less intensity and more family friendly.
FINAL ANALYSIS: A good film for the younger crowd. (B-)
Specifications and additional video information:
Cast: Patrick Muldoon, Olivia d’Abo, Wallace Shawn, Michael Campion, Tara McDonald
Director: Jason Murphy
MPAA Rating: Not Rated, could be rated PG
Genre: Family, Adventure
Running Time: 1 hr. 30 min.
Video Release Date: January 5, 2016
Language: English
Reviewed Format: DVD
Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1
Video: Widescreen 1.78:1 full screen 16×9
Subtitles: Closed Captions only
Number of Discs: 1 Disc
Distributed by: RLJ Entertainment
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
