Beethoven's Big Break

The sixth film in the "Beethoven" franchise is considered a reboot of the original 1992 film, but it is not a reboot in the true sense. In a way, it could be viewed as a prequel, but even that is not quite accurate. In fact, this film describes the (fictional) series of events that led to the creation of the original script and the making of the first film. In this way, they justified the use of a large number of gags from the original while avoiding the rip-off label. Although technically an obvious plagiarism, "Beethoven's Big Break" rearranges all those stolen elements and presents them on a new stage and with new characters, charming and receptive enough to forgive their lack of originality. And the iguana is awesome.

6/10.

Eddie (Jonathan Silverman) is a widowed father to son Billy (Moises Arias). An animal movie trainer, Eddie's main pet is an acting iguana but Billy longs for a dog. Dad says no. Meanwhile, Beethoven is homeless and goes looking for food in the LA suburbs, from butcher shops to pizza parlors. Of course, he crosses paths with Billy and the young lad can't resist bringing him home. Dad is aghast, especially when it turns out the canine is a she and there are puppies arriving soon! Although Eddie tells Billy they are only going to keep the dog temporarily while they search for a new home, Beethoven ends up going along to work. When the doggy star of Eddie's newest work, a bichon frise, ends up dognapped, the producer (Rhea Perlman) and the director (Eddie Griffin) are mad and fire the main animal trainer, giving Eddie the head job. And, when Beethoven runs through the set and makes everyone laugh, they ask the lovely screenwriter, Lisa (Jennifer Finnigan) to re-write the script with for their new St. Bernard star! At first, she is resentful and Lisa and Eddie bicker. But, soon, Lisa asks to come to Eddie's house to observe the dog and get ideas. As can be expected, proximity sometimes makes hearts beat faster. Meanwhile, the dognappers, getting no ransom for the small white dog, decide to go the same route and grab Beethoven. Will they succeed, ruining the completion of the motion picture and Eddie's job prospects? This adorable film will please everyone in the whole family, maybe the whole wide world. What's not to like, with great, funny stars, nice sets, lovely costumes, a zesty, imaginative script and a skilled, never-lagging direction? Give you and yours a break today, you deserve it, and get your hands on this one.

If he calls that dog Beet-Hoven one more time I'm gonna blow my brains out

Of course this movie was never going to be as good as the original back at the end of the 90's, but I thought it still had some charm to give. The acting from the cast members was a little chessy, but the characters had some progression to them as the film went on and for it became better people. Eddie and lisa were awkward to start with but eddies son billy was funny in places trying to impress the girl he likes. I'm happy that beethoven was the same dog and both actors playing him were cute, along with the adorable little puppers that came with him. The secondary plot with the dognapping didn't really go anywhere and was not needed overall as watching eddie try and get lisa while keeping his job as a animal handler was all the plot needed. Overall not completly terrible and fun in places, just not as so as the originals.

This is a good family movie. Basically it's a fine movie for kids. They chose a strange-looking boy actor though since he looked too much like a man trying to be a boy. Also I miss the main actors in the very first Beethoven movie which all my family enjoyed a lot. Since then I can't give any other Beethoven movie 10 stars after they changed actors. In spite of some of the kind of corny acting, this was still an enjoyable movie. Family adventure equals family fun, so if you have kids, I'm sure they'll like this movie. Also, you don't have to worry about swear words, sex or bloody action, just a few bumps and bruises and one kiss. So bring out the popcorn and have a fun family movie time.