Benji: Off the Leash!

source: Benji: Off the Leash!

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.

Benji Off the Leash! is no one-trick-pony. The film should win audiences of all ages and defrost even the most hardened canine-phobe. Both the movie and the mutt are that good. Movies targeted for family trade often seem designed by committees hoping to lure all demographics. Happily, Benji Off the Leash! attains purity in every sense of the word; unlike many films of any genre, it reflects a unified vision. Benji producer/director/screenwriter Joe Camp has not stooped to conquer. In direction, story construction, camera-work and performances both human and canine, Benji Off the Leash! is the best of the Benji canon. Its two-legged hero is Colby, a stalwart youngster who loves dogs. Its two-legged villain is Colby's harsh father, whose appropriate last name is Hatchett. He runs an illegal dog mill and mistreats all beings, both two-legged and four-legged. Colby and Benji have parallel plights, dealing with the rescue of loved ones and strong maternal bonds. Benji Off the Leash! has serious undercurrents, but it never turns grim. The film's canine comic foil is a character named Lizard Tongue, whom Benji befriends and then probably wonders if making friends with the rascally Lizard Tongue was a wise move. Two goofy dogcatchers and one eccentric recluse provide the human comedy. As before, Mr. Camp films the canine scenes from the dogs' perspectives, and the desire to reach out and touch is irresistible. Benji interacts gamely with Lizard Tongue, a chatty parrot named Merlin and even a cow. Don Reddy's cinematography exquisitely captures each moment. With eyes born for movie camera close-ups, Benji is a female mixed-breed terrier, three and one-half years of age. She is a wonder-dog, but she doesn't hog the show. As played by Shaggy, a dog from the south side of Chicago, Lizard Tongue is also one formidable scene-stealer. Two-legged stars also fare well. Nick Whitaker has the essential soulfulness for Colby, while Duane Stephens has some hilarious bits as the goofier of the two dogcatchers. Mr. Stephens also sings a lilting "It Had To Be You" over the closing credits. Neal Barth relishes each moment as town eccentric Zacharia Finch, fond of improvising quotes from phony sources. Calling a movie "the best of its kind" often has a condescending tone. In the case of Benji Off the Leash!, no condescension is warranted. This Benji's a beaut, for all ages. Woof. Benji Off the Leash!

Definitely a movie for 5 year olds. Poorly written and poorly acted. Dreadfully slow and laboured and poorly written. Only to be watched if there's not much else to watch and even then only if you love dogs.

What an adorable movie! Anyone who walks away unaffected by these amazing dogs or the story has no heart. This time around Benji has a new sidekick and has to avoid a pair of bumbling dogcatchers, all while trying to rescue his sick mother from an evil dog breeder. This is the perfect movie to take your family to without worrying about inappropriate content or language. This movie is funny, heartwarming and actually touches on serious topics that both adults and children can think about. The movie is never preachy yet it definitely has a message; this isn't your typical, brainless summer drivel. There's something for everyone here. I'd recommend this movie without any hesitation.

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.

I felt this was a moving picture and told an important story about how to respect our pets. With comedy from the local dog catchers to poignant observations and action by a young son who loved animals, this story shows why there are too many unwanted animals on the streets. It also shows some of the positive things that can happen to animals if people care. BENJI offers insights into the human personality, with most of the people in the film caring about the animals. Each character represented a different type of person on the animal respect scale. the young boy was--of course--an idealistic person who really didn't understand ALL the needs animals have (including shots, spay-neuter) but just knew when they were in trouble. The Mother loved animals but was limited in what to do for them because she was frozen by how the father treated her. Then there was a very kind stranger--a man who looked like Santa Claus, who ended up having a spiritual dialog with Lizard, Benji's terrier dog friend. Ultimately Santa adopted Lizard. And of course there was the evil dog breeder who just didn't care about his dogs (and people are really like that), just wanted to make money off of them, and if one dog did not look like the breed standard, let it die. This man was one of the most evil villains I've ever seen in the movies, as well. A great actor. I also thought the heavy set dog catcher, ?Stanley, the man who first started paying attention to what Benji was trying to tell them, was also a superb actor. Both dog catchers worked well together. Towards the ending of the film, we started to cry. First when Benji communicated with his (her) sick mother and was able to convince the dog catchers to take her to the hospital. The great thing was the doctor at the shelter was interested in finding out what was wrong with the dog and how to fix her. Most shelters would just put down the dog. This one didn't, so I'm grateful that if a dog would be rescued by a shelter, this one would do it. In the future I hope we all become humane enough with animals to rescue and tend to all stray animals. I was sobbing loudly when the mother and son were in the animal shelter and the mother showed her signs of abuse from the father. From then on in, I might as well have been a river.

This has to be one of the worst films I have seen in a VERY long time! I brought three 4 year old children to see this movie. They were either bored stiff, or terrified throughout the whole movie. I expected to see the Benji movies I saw growing up. How wrong I was! The only wholesomeness I saw was from a few select scenes provided by the dogs. The movie focused on an abusive man, to his family and the dogs he breeded! The acting throughout the entire movie was stiff, bland and horrible! I have seen better acting in grammer school plays! The story line could have been so much better acted out! Do yourself, and your family and friends, a favor by staying away from this disastrous movie!

Can you believe? A film you can take your mom to? Yea!! Funny, funny, funny.....then you cry with happiness at the end. There is Benji, of course, but now he has a dufus sidekick named Lizard Tongue (you will see why when you see this great animal!) who stirs things up and causes all kinds of funny mayhem. And, there is a bird who will make you laugh until your side hurts. And, a nice young man who is trying to help Benji save his mother from a bad situation in a puppy mill. (That is the teary part.) It all adds up to entertainment with a purpose....to make you happy and make you feel good about going to the movies. The story is engaging and the scenes are beautifully shot. I hope many people get to see the new Benji.