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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #4002 in DVD
• Released on: 2007-11-19
• Rating: Parental Guidance
• Format: PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 107 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
Adolescence is an emotionally stormy time for kids, but it's especially so for Shane (Josh Hutcherson), a teenager being raised by single firefighter father Connor (Bruce Greenwood). Add the recent death of Shane's fire-captain uncle (Connor's brother) in the line of duty and the pending closure of their neighbourhood "Dogpatch" fire station, and both Shane's propensity for skipping school and brooding in his room and his father's obsession with work seem easy to explain. When a mutt called Dewey, really a very spoiled superstar dog named Rexxx who's been presumed dead after a parachuting stunt went wrong, turns up in a burning building and is rescued by the Dogpatch crew, Connor puts Shane in charge of caring for the dog and finding its owner.

Shane and Dewey clash immediately and Shane is extremely resentful toward both the dog and his father. However, Dewey's special talents (like skateboarding and trampoline jumping), combined with his good fire-fighting instincts, soon win the admiration and affection of Shane and the entire Dogpatch crew. A series of mysterious fires really causes Shane and Connor to begin to communicate and reconnect, but those fires also threaten their very lives. At the same time, Dewey's former owner discovers Dewey's true identity and demands the return of his superstar companion. An engaging dog story that explores the difficulties of growing up and dealing with personal tragedy, Firehouse Dog is a fun family film that's rated PG due to some mildly crude humour, language, and action peril. --Tami Horiuchi

Synopsis
In director Todd Holland's family film FIREHOUSE DOG, Hollywood's top canine star, Rexxx (played by a number of Irish terriers), is forced out of his pampered lifestyle when an accident leaves him far from home and presumed dead. Taken in by Shane (Josh Hutcherson), the son of a firehouse captain (Bruce Greenwood), Rex becomes the struggling fire department's unlikely mascot, and is gradually forced to give up his snooty behaviour while embracing the selfless and daring duties involved in firefighting. And as the stubborn Shane forges a bond with Rexxx, he also begins to heal the rift with his sullen, hard-working father.
Helmed by TV comedy vet Holland, FIREHOUSE DOG mixes animal-driven action and laughs with a poignant father/son storyline. And though the lead mutt(s), Hutcherson (star of '07's BRIDGE TO TERABITHIA), and seasoned actor Greenwood are all fine in their roles, the film is bolstered by an excellent supporting cast that includes Bree Turner, Dash Mihok, Steven Culp, Bill Nunn, and Mayte Garcia (Prince’s former wife). Ideal for firefighting enthusiasts, dog lovers, and tween viewers, FIREHOUSE DOG doesn't reinvent the canine-centric movie, but it's an entertaining instalment in the subgenre that stands (on four legs) on par with AIR BUD and BEETHOVEN.

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Customer Reviews

A real croud pleaser!
My soon to be seven year old son and I went to see this yesterday and we both thoroughly enjoyed it! The room was just short of full with people of all ages. When I looked around everyone in the room was having the same reaction to each scene from laughter to the edge of the seat and everything in between.

The busy young star Josh Hucherson, who you'll recognise from Bridge to Terabithia and Zathura, stars along side some new and older faces that you may recognise from older films. His performance doesn't disappoint. He plays Sean, son and nephew to two of the senior members of Dogpatch, a struggling Firehouse and the house of Engine 55. When a flurry of fires happens in the area Sean's uncle is killed in the line of duty at one and Sean's father starts to suspect something sinister not realising how his son has been affected by the tragedy.

Meanwhile our supporting K9, the spoiled movie star dog Rexxx, is getting lost from the set of a movie he's staring in after a stunt goes wrong. After a narrow escape from the dog catcher he hides in a condemned building which catches fire. Rescued by Engine 55 our leads (no pun intended) are reluctantly thrown together. Cue friendship, heroism, some doggy mishaps that we've seen before in other doggy capers but who cares and some help from CGI and we have some very funny scenes!!

All in all solid performances, good if not entirely original script and story, but still a fantastic watch - most definitely one for the family friendly shelf and all ages will enjoy it. Mine's on pre-order. Enjoy!

**** MY 5 YEAR OLD RECOMMENDS IT ****
We went to see this at the cinema today and at the end my little girl turned to me and said "that is the best movie ever", which is from Cadence high praise indeed.

This is a kids/family movie. It is probably best suited for a 4 to 8 year old audience but within that target audience it hits all the right marks; silly, funny, sad and ultimately a very happy ending. Your kids will love it and I highly recommend as a Christmas stocking filler.

Great fun!
A 10 year old, a 34 year old and a 41 year old throughly enjoyed this film. Funny, feel good, original and very well done. Would recommend buying it.