Underdog

Feb 1 2008 by Evening Chronicle

(U, 81 mins) Family/Comedy. Alex Neuberger, James Belushi, Peter Dinklage, Patrick Warburton, Taylor Momsen, Brad Garrett, and the voices of Jason Lee

IT WAS almost inevitable that man’s best friend would eventually don a Superman-style cape and save mankind from tricksters and thieves.

Based on the ’60s animated series, Underdog is a lively adventure about a supercharged beagle, with a nose for trouble and a desire to save the citizens of Capitol City from a mad scientist and his lumbering henchman.

Frederik Du Chau’s film revives the classic catchphrase: “There’s no need to fear, Underdog is here.” It blends nostalgia with special effects, allowing the animals to converse in Babe style.

Underdog isn’t the finest pedigree family film, the plot is thin, but there is sufficient slapstick to keep youngsters entertained and the escapades of the four-legged cast are more interesting than the owners, right down to the homage to Lady And The Tramp.

NO SWEARING, NO SEX, VIOLENCE