Clifford's Really Big Movie

My 2-year old daughter loves watching Clifford on TV and when we showed her this movie she fell in love instantly. She loves dogs in general but the bright red fur of Clifford and the music make her happy and the lessons that Clifford and his friends teach make us happy. It's an adorable movie that anyone should show their preschooler. If you like Clifford or animated dogs, this movie should definitely be in your collection. There's comedy, thrills, and an infinite amount of fun in this movie. It is very child friendly, there are no uncomfortable scenes that could make a parent question the value of this movie and the lesson of not judging people based on looks is one of the unspoken central themes of both the show and the movie.

I took my two boys 4 and 7 to see it and I thought it was so sweet. The same kindness that is protrayed in the television show was just as loving and thoughtful. It was a nice reminder of John Ritter and that his voice lives on.....The characters were the same as the tv show and it is very believable for the kids to see the movie and relate it to the show. The Man that took care of the animals was equally fair and kind to the animals which made the kids believe the animals matter. In all from beginning to end the movie was entertaining and creative story line and held my two small boys attention.

An animated adventure about a gigantic red dog named Clifford who joins a circus troupe after he mistakenly thinks his owners cannot afford his upkeep. Together with his animal and human friends he participates in a talent show, but the result is not what they had wished for.

Basically the characters are cute and likable, even if the animation is nothing spectacular. The story never gets very ambitious either: all the problems Clifford and Co. encounter just dissolve away without much effort. Not surprisingly, the importance of friendship is one of the main themes. Not much to see for adults, but young kids may be entertained.

Clifford (voiced by John Ritter), the big red dog of children's books and the TV series, hits the big screen for his great adventure. Clifford lives on Birdwell Island with Emily Elizabeth. Clifford hears the next-door neighbor talking to Emily's father about how much it cost to feed Clifford. Clifford is worried that the family might lose their house just feeding him. Clifford sees a poster announcing a contest for the best animal act with the winner getting a lifetime supply of dog food. Clifford, and his two dog friends, Cleo, and T-Bone, leave the island and join a traveling carnival show. They become friends with other animals in one of the sideshows, and soon, they become stars. This is a good movie to take your young children to see. (Warner Brothers, Rated G, Run time 1:13) (8/10)

After Norman Bridwell's books and the PBS TV series came this movie about a huge red canine. As in the TV series, animals communicate with each other but humans can't understand them (though the animals can understand human speech, as when Clifford overhears the next door neighbor asking Emily Elizabeth's family why they were spending so much money on dog food). Here, Clifford and his dog pals T-Bone and Cleo decide to join a traveling carnival show of "Larry's Amazing Animals". Clifford feels bad that his family does have to spend so much money on food for him, so he runs away from home.

First when Clifford and pals arrive in the big city, they cause a panic as he strides down the streets. But he finds the carnival and they go across country to compete in a contest for a lifetime supply of food; as it turns out, a dogfood bigwig really wants Clifford to be a big pet for his daughter.

As the film moves on, Clifford is torn between continuing with the Amazing Animals or returning to Emily Elizabeth. Other than a jealous ferret named Shackleford, the animals take a liking to the huge pooch. He has to decide whether to seek fame and food, or return to the family that loves him. But Larry's Amazing Animals are a bit of a family, too.

The characters here seem more rounded and real than their flat TV counterparts. Bright colors, good use of light and shadow, and fun characters. Even an adult like me (admittedly a fan of cartoons and "giant and tiny" animals) appreciated this film. Young kids should enjoy it mostly, and it has some good positive messages.