Underdog

Review by Sean Lynch

Hollywood has a lot to answer for when it comes to big screen adaptations of much beloved kiddie cartoon favourites.

I've been burned one to many times by studios trying to cash in on nostalgia, churning out over blown chaotic rubbish that even the most serious of A.D.D. sufferers would struggle to enjoy.

Anyone who forked out their hard earned bucks for Rocky & Bullwinkle, Inspector Gadget or Looney Tunes Back In Action will know exactly what I mean. Films that should have just been straight forward transfers, but were instead ridiculously over-complicated messes.

So it was with great hesitance that I approached Underdog, a cartoon which wasn't part of my childhood (I missed that boat - and its repeats - by at least 10 years) and I can't help but think there would be to many kids (let alone parents) that are too familiar with the source material either. But I knew enough about the history and the culture behind Underdog to know whether or not if Disney had muffed up yet another potential franchise.

Thankfully Underdog, from director Frederik Du Chau (Racing Stripes), isn't in the same league as Do Right, Josie & The Pussycats or Fat Albert.

It has all of the classic characters in toe (Polly Purebred, Dr. Barsinister, Riff Raff and Cad), as well as the obligatory kid-centric storyline. The real strength here is the fact that the flick stick to a well cemented (if not slightly cliche) plotline, without ever resorting to over the top antics, over complicated storylines (remember how confusing the "Real World/Cartoon World" plots were in R&B and Fat Albert were?) or off the cuff skits.

Underdog follows a down and out beagle named Shoeshine who finds himself with extraordinary super powers (flight, strength and the ability to speak) after a run in with an evil scientist. Armed with a cleverly put together costume (the dress up sequence is actually one of the films funniest), this unlikely caped crusader vows to protect the citizens of Capitol City - that is, of course, until Barsinister takes Underdog's powers from him.

There is a lot to like about this adaption. Much like Garfield, it's far from perfect. However, the team behind this latest cartoon-cum-silver screen epic have put together a decidedly likable and watchable (if not overally forgettable) little kids flick. The CGI effects are superb, the animals are cute - and theres more than enough gags to get the toddlers laughing (even if the uptight "Art Nut" critics in the screening I was in don't).

Jason Lee adds some coolness to the traditionally dorky Underdog character (Lee, interestingly enough, is also set to star in another cartoon adaption - Alvin & The Chipmunks), while Jim Belushi gives a passable performance as a misunderstood father.

The films main weakness is the flow of dialouge. You could forgive it, considering that most of the editing must be done around the animals speaking, but there have been far to many 'animal talkies' that have done just fine with flow (Babe, Charlotte's Web, Racing Stripes). It really impedes the pacing, which is essential in a kids movie.

Some of the performances don't quite work either, most obviously, the films main youngster Alex Neuberger. While it can't be easy for an unknown to act with a blue screen dog, it's surely an essential skill to possess for a flick like this - on this scale. It sadly takes what should be a 3.5 Star flick and degrades it to what amounts to an expensive Disney TV Movie.

By no means a world beater, but more than a worthy school holidays flicks for the toddlers - and an encouraging sign that the upcoming Astroboy, Chipmunks, Drangonball Z and Smurfs movies won't be the disasters that they potentially could have been.

Never fear, Underdog is here.

2.5 out of 5

Underdog
Australian release: 20th September, 2007
Cast: Alex Neuberger, Peter Dinklage, James Belushi, Jason Lee, Amy Adams
Director: Frederik Du Chau
Website: Click here.