Step Dogs

This movie was incredibly hard to watch. Even my kid didn't like it, so we had to turn it off. Poorly made knock off of other movies, so many awkward scenes with poorly drawn out jokes. Not worth watching.

Ok, yes, the storyline of comedic bungling burglers thwarted by kids, pets, or themselves has been done a ton of times. This one was cute and lighthearted viewing for a late evening movie before bed. Kid friendly, too, which I didn't have to think about, but FYI for those who do.

The first negative that bugged me was that the animators didn't do more eye expressions for the dogs or ear changes. They did a great job on lip movement for talking and even did a bit of eyebrow movement, but the eyes always remained wide open with no expressions through the eyelids or ears.

The second negative was the actress who played "Crystal." She gave a very flat and wooden delivery of her lines and facial expressions. The kids were great with their roles and the other actors did a very good job, too.

I gave it 3 because of the dogs and the step sister who all played their parts well. The problem with this film is they aren't in it enough. The 2 bungling burglars ( where have we seen that before ) are totally unfunny even with slapstick. When the dogs made their entrance I thought this could be good comedy. I was hoping the film would centre around them, but no, the most unfunny human characters took over, it's a shame, could have been good.

Take a silly, juvenile, utterly cliche script, add some really bad acting, Throw in poorly voiced dogs. Add the worst acted bad guys you could never even have imagined and you'll have a grip on this film. That being said, there is no foul language, no gratuitous sex, nudity or violence. Which is surprisingly refreshing. It is clearly a low budget film and the direction is amateurish at best. But it is family watchable and those kinds of movies are few. The kids will like the dogs.

I rented the movie because I was curious about the Belgium Malinois. So disappointed. I own a Malinois. These dogs live Mad-Eye Moody's constant vigilance mantra. Strangers are noticed, investigated and **not** licked. A Golden Retriever would have made the Meatball character more believable. The poor casting took me right out of this very weak story. The only surprise is that this got made at all. I did appreciate the setting; they shot the movie in a truly cold location as revealed by the ability to see the characters' breaths when they were outside and the sound of snow crunching when walked on. I wouldn't waste your time and money.