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Review #449 of 365
Movie Review of Firehouse Dog (2007) [PG] 111 minutes
WIP™ Scale: $12.50
Where Viewed: Metropolitan Metrolux 14, Loveland, CO
When 1st Seen: 22 April 2007
Time: 2:00 p.m.
Film's Official Website • Film's Trailer
DVD Release Date: unscheduled
Directed by: Todd Holland ("Malcolm in the Middle")
Written by: Claire-Dee Lim, Mike Werb (Curious George), and Michael Colleary (Face/Off)
Featured Cast (Where You Might Remember Him/Her From):
Rexx/Dewey: Arwen, Frodo, Rohan, and Stryder
Josh Hutcherson (Bridge to Terabithia) • Bruce Greenwood (Déjà vu) • Bill Nunn (Idlewild) • Scotch Ellis Loring (Hard Pill) • Mayte Garcia (Vacilón: The Movie, El ) • Teddy Sears ("Ugly Betty") • Hannah Lochner (Dawn of the Dead) • Claudette Mink ("Men in Trees")
Soundtrack: Download now from 
— or — order the CD below
Click for 'Review Lite' [a 150-word or less review of this film]
With a generous running time of 111 minutes, the story of the Firehouse Dog is given ample time to develop and the artists involved time to endear themselves. The net result is a far more expansive and thoughtful film with good humor, good drama, and puppy love. Beginning with the assumed death by falling of the famed star of such mock films as Jurassic Bark, Rexx (the dog), the film follows the life of Rexx turned Dewey who is eventually recovered, covered in stinky rotten tomatoes from the truck that saved his life upon landing, by the son of the newly appointed fire chief of the Dog Patch Fire Station.
"…Hollywood can still make great family entertainment…"
Shane Fahey (Josh Hutcherson) first encounters what he believes to be a common mutt during his planned escape from the pursuit of his father's fellow firefighters en route to snare him after he ditches school for the umpteenth time. The dog blocks his exit and he is swiftly taken back for a lecture on his poor life choices. But Shane harbors much baggage for such a young lad. His mother is gone, and recently his favorite uncle, the former fire chief was killed in a tragic fire blaze that his father, Connor (Bruce Greenwood) suspects may be part of a huge arson ring. The dog, tagged Dewey as was his character's name in the film he was making at the time of his mistaken demise, quickly finds his way into this new home when he is rescued from a burning building by the firehouse crew. It is here also, though that we learn that the Dog Patch Station and crew, once known for being the best in the city, has fallen off the pedestal since the death of Mark Fahey. In fact, the crew of Joe (Bill Nunn), Lionel (Scotch Ellis Loring), Pep (Mayte Garcia), and Terence (Teddy Sears) is nearly always the last to arrive at the scene and generally put on standby duty as a rival station run by Capt. Jessie Presley (Claudette Mink) has taken over the top billing. Shane however, along for this ride, spots 'Dewey' on the rooftop of the burning building, and Connor rushes the ladder into position for a rescue that eventually involves Dewey leaping from the building and into the fire net below with a sproing and miraculous flip. It is clear that the dog is something special, but no on realizes how so, until later as the famed celeb pooch used to posh quarters and elegant meals has lost his signature hairpiece during his fall from the airplane where the scene for his next film was being shot. Warming up to Dewey, a neat-nik who spends a lot of time cleaning up Shane's room, takes a bit of time, but it is their shared love of skateboarding that finally seals the deal. The rest of the story involves Dewey becoming a hero rescue dog, relationship forming between Shane and Capt. Presley's daughter Jasmine (Hannah Lochner), and the solving of the arson ring. Naturally, there has to be one highly predictable element, and this is that eventually Hollywood is going to realize that this super hero firehouse dog is the long thought dead superstar Rexx causing conflict over who should retain possession of the dog.
As previously noted, the length of the film affords it with opportunities not given to a shorter film of standard length for 'kids' movies. Thank goodness because the result is something a little unusual and special. The time gives the audience the ability to bond a bit more with the characters and to care a bit more about the outcome. The tension can build and the importance for resolution increased. Director Todd Holland, known for directing many, many episodes of the classic "Malcolm in the Middle" knows how to develop a deeper story over time, and Firehouse Dog certainly could have been a television series. The way he handles the film though is to break it into segments that each tell a nearly complete story with links that hold them all together. This packs the film with a lot more punch. He also knows how to work with children and dogs—two things most directors and actors shy away from. Josh Hutcherson is emerging after such great roles in Bridge to Terabithia, Zathura, and RV, into a fine young acting force for his generation. He's a compelling onscreen presence holding the perfect sense of self-doubt of a typical middle school-aged kid. He mixes just enough rebelliousness with that diminishing desire to still hug your dad that makes these hormonally embellished young people some of the most wonderful yet complicated and frustrating people in the world. Bruce Greenwood gets to play a good guy, which is nice since he too often gets roles of evil politicians etc. The firehouse crew, due again to the time, is elevated a bit above the usual stereotypical backdrop characters. Most enjoyable were Bill Nunn whose character also serves as the station cook and Mayte Garcia who brings strength to her female firefighter and engine crew chief character of Pep. The film features women in strong roles, Claudette Mink plays the rival firehouse captain, and avoids many of the common gender biased prejudices so common in films today. There was still an element of men running to the rescue but it was downplayed because, actually, it was the dog that did the real work. And, that brings us to the dog. While clearly digitally enhanced in places and portrayed by not one, but four dogs, Rexx/Dewey despite his breed which most people will not associate with either being a good firehouse dog and he's no Lassie or Rin Tin Tin, no he's a more of a pampered-looking airedale (I think) terrier. The fact that he looks like an unlikely dog to fit the part, perhaps, adds to his success. It's hard not fall for the dog. What was great though, was that, aside for some computer camera tricks, he was allowed to be a dog. He doesn't talk! He's just a really smart, really talented dog, and a very funny one at that.
As previously noted, the length of the film affords it with opportunities not given to a shorter film of standard length for 'kids' movies. Thank goodness because the result is something a little unusual and special. The time gives the audience the ability to bond a bit more with the characters and to care a bit more about the outcome. The tension can build and the importance for resolution increased. Director Todd Holland, known for directing many, many episodes of the classic "Malcolm in the Middle" knows how to develop a deeper story over time, and Firehouse Dog certainly could have been a television series. The way he handles the film though is to break it into segments that each tell a nearly complete story with links that hold them all together. This packs the film with a lot more punch. He also knows how to work with children and dogs—two things most directors and actors shy away from. Josh Hutcherson is emerging after such great roles in Bridge to Terabithia, Zathura, and RV, into a fine young acting force for his generation. He's a compelling onscreen presence holding the perfect sense of self-doubt of a typical middle school-aged kid. He mixes just enough rebelliousness with that diminishing desire to still hug your dad that makes these hormonally embellished young people some of the most wonderful yet complicated and frustrating people in the world. Bruce Greenwood gets to play a good guy, which is nice since he too often gets roles of evil politicians etc. The firehouse crew, due again to the time, is elevated a bit above the usual stereotypical backdrop characters. Most enjoyable were Bill Nunn whose character also serves as the station cook and Mayte Garcia who brings strength to her female firefighter and engine crew chief character of Pep. The film features women in strong roles, Claudette Mink plays the rival firehouse captain, and avoids many of the common gender biased prejudices so common in films today. There was still an element of men running to the rescue but it was downplayed because, actually, it was the dog that did the real work. And, that brings us to the dog. While clearly digitally enhanced in places and portrayed by not one, but four dogs, Rexx/Dewey despite his breed which most people will not associate with either being a good firehouse dog and he's no Lassie or Rin Tin Tin, no he's a more of a pampered-looking airedale (I think) terrier. The fact that he looks like an unlikely dog to fit the part, perhaps, adds to his success. It's hard not fall for the dog. What was great though, was that, aside for some computer camera tricks, he was allowed to be a dog. He doesn't talk! He's just a really smart, really talented dog, and a very funny one at that.
Bruce Greenwood Buy From Art.com
As far as family entertainment goes these days, lately we've been deluged with antiquated stories that don't translate well into the modern times such as How to Eat Fried Worms and Charlotte's Web. They seemed like good ideas, but the films just didn't turn out that great. That's what makes Firehouse Dog so essential for it proves that Hollywood can still make great family entertainment that reflects the current times and doesn't have to be animated. I enjoyed this movie very much—far more than I expected—sitting side-by-side my three and half year old niece whom I escorted to see it with some trepidation that it might be too scary for her—like Happy Feet wasn't? Anyway, she was enthralled from beginning to end. It was a challenge keeping her a bit quiet as she persisted in asking, "What's going to happen next?"—a question I adored as much as it might seem rhetorical as in "Let's watch and see," throughout the film. When it was over, she leapt to her feet and said, "Thank you for taking me to see this movie, it was the best movie I've ever seen!" Now, what more of an endorsement do you need to see this film?
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Click for 'Review Lite' [a 150-word review of this film]
Click for 'Review Lite' [a 150-word review of this film]
Other Projects Featuring Firehouse Dog (2007)
Cast Members
Josh Hutcherson
• Bruce Greenwood • Bill NunnMayte Garcia
• Teddy Sears • Hannah LochnerClaudette Mink
Director
Todd Holland
Co-Writers
Claire-Dee Lim
• Mike Werb • Michael Colleary| Novel | CD Soundtrack | DVD |
| VHS | Related Product | Similar Topic |
Firehouse Dog (2007) Review-lite [150-word cap]
With a generous running time of 111 minutes, the story of the Firehouse Dog is given ample time to develop and the artists involved time to endear themselves. The net result is a far more expansive and thoughtful film with good humor, good drama, and puppy love. Beginning with the assumed death by falling of the famed star of such mock films as Jurassic Bark, Rexx (the dog), the film follows the life of Rexx turned Dewey who is eventually recovered, covered in stinky rotten tomatoes from the truck that saved his life upon landing, by the son of the newly appointed fire chief of the Dog Patch Fire Station. Director Todd Holland handles the film exceptionally well, packing the film with a lot of punch. Josh Hutcherson is emerging as a fine young acting force for his generation, and the dogs in the film did an amazing job.
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