Clifford's Really Big Movie

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)

I liked the movie, and so did my 2.5 year old son. It was his first movie and managed to hold his attention for the entire time. He's been talking about it ever since. A caveat though, we're both Clifford fans to begin with.

The movie is near perfect for its target audience of preschoolers. There are no scary parts, the story is linear and clear, there's no violence, and it has a happy ending. The plot lacks the complexity of many other of the animated movies marketed toward older children. It is straightforward story with little development of the character's motivation except for a few key things important to the story. The main characters are consistent and entertaining, and the Big Red Dog is well presented in proportion to the rest of the normal sized world. Some of the most comical sequences are when those unfamiliar with Clifford see him for the first time. Kids seem to love the idea of a HUGE friendly dog, and it's played up to good effect in the film.

The basic story is classic Clifford. He means well and is trying to do the right thing, but his efforts don't always work out as planned. Except for Clifford's family and friends, not everybody understands that Clifford's heart is as big as the rest of him. Clifford's size is as much a hinderance as an asset, but in the end people love him because he's a great dog, and not just big.

For those that that have seen the TV show and/or videos, the movie plays like an extended episode of the show. Same characters (Many of the minor ones don't get a part in the movie), mostly the same voices, and the same look and feel, though the animation is of a higher quality than on the show. There's even some attempt at 3-D animation going on, although the backgrounds are for the most part flat. The soundtrack is better than the show too :). Characters are consistent from the movie to the show, and a several of the running gags from the show are incorporated into the movie.

Whoever made this movie took the best of the show and successfully turned it into a feature length film.

The movie is dedicated to John Ritter, and I believe it is the last film he did.

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.

I had this movie on DVD for so many years now but until it stopped working. I really glad i watched this movie i had such good memories of still having it. Clifford Runs away from Emily to help join a Circus with Larry and his animals. Cleo and T-Bone join him. But It was emotional towards the End it says This is for John. that was so Sad honestly knowing He was Clifford's voice actor.

Clifford and Emily Elizabeth! Forever! ♥♥

I took my 4 year old daughter to see Clifford. She loved it. I would recommend the film to anyone with pre-school children. No scary parts, kept her attention, nothing offensive. When we got home all she wanted to do was play her Clifford game on the computer.

Older children would be bored (obviously). I take my kids to see movies about once a month, and there are times that I am uncomfortable with the content of the film. So often any more the movies are marketed towards kids of all age groups and contain bathroom humor and suggestive material. Clifford's Really Big Movie was marketed properly and the delivered product was predictable. I felt it was well worth the money and will purchase the DVD when it is released.

I got a lump in my throat after the last scene. The words "For John".