“There’s no need to fear. Underdog is here!” —Underdog
Today’s quick review: Underdog. Kidnapped and subjected to genetic experimentation by the mad scientist Simon Barsinister (Peter Dinklage), Shoeshine (Jason Lee), an ex-police dog, gains an array of superpowers. He is adopted by Dan (Jim Belushi), a kind-hearted security guard, and given to Dan’s teenage son Jack (Alex Neuberger) to raise. At Jack’s urging, Shoeshine dons the mantle of Underdog and uses his powers to fight crime.
Underdog is a family superhero comedy based on the classic cartoon. Most of what the movie has to offer is typical for a kids’ comedy: dog jokes, a simple plot, and tame action. Underdog also has a strong supporting cast, including Jim Belushi, Peter Dinklage, Patrick Warburton, John Slattery, and the voices of Amy Adams and Brad Garrett. However, its mediocre script and a weak pair of leads keep it from holding much appeal.
Underdog doesn’t make good use of its cast. Alex Neuberger and Jason Lee are the core of the film, but neither one sells his role very well. Jack is a bog-standard teenage boy without much personality, while Underdog himself gets caught somewhere between ordinary talking dog and cartoon mascot. The supporting cast does a better job, but few of them have much screen time and the ones that do are saddled with hit-or-miss dialogue.
Underdog does have a few things going for it. The humor aims too young to really entertain an adult audience, but every now and then a joke will hit home. The film’s light tone makes it an easy watch, and even the worst jokes are merely bland rather than obnoxious. Underdog’s lack of hands puts a limit on the action, but the movie gets plenty of mileage out of just tossing an indestructible dog through buildings at high speed.
Most viewers would be better off giving Underdog a miss. Its humor and cast are enough to make it watchable, but anyone outside its target age range will find it to be missing something. For a blend of the animal and action genres with better execution, check out bolt. For another cartoon adaptation with a similar set of flaws, try Inspector Gadget. For a funnier, inverted take on the boy-and-his-dog story, check out Mr. Peabody & Sherman.
4.8 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 5.5 for a few funny jokes and a good cast, let down by a lackluster script and unimpressive leads.