Benji - Off the Leash (2004)

33% of critics liked it
(43 reviews)
59% of users liked it
(1,717 ratings)

Directed by Joe Camp, Benji: Off the Leash! follows the plight of three underdogs: Benji, who is literally a dog; the funny but none-too-bright Sheldon; and Colby, a 14-year-old facing some real problems. The unlikely trio is brought together by the nefarious efforts of an ill-intentioned puppy… More Directed by Joe Camp, Benji: Off the Leash! follows the plight of three underdogs: Benji, who is literally a dog; the funny but none-too-bright Sheldon; and Colby, a 14-year-old facing some real problems. The unlikely trio is brought together by the nefarious efforts of an ill-intentioned puppy breeder who wants to use Benji's mother in an irresponsible backyard puppy mill. The film serves as a prequel of sorts to the Benji franchise, and features Chris Kendrick, Nick Whitaker, Duane Stephens, Randall Newsome, and, of course, Benji the Dog. ~ Tracie Cooper, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 39 min.
Directed By: Joe Camp
Written By: Joe Camp
Genres: Drama, Kids & Family

In Theaters: Aug 20, 2004 Wide
On DVD: Dec 28, 2004
Studio: Mulberry Square Releasing

Critic Reviews

Joe Leydon, Variety
A mildly pleasant, aggressively retro kidpic that should please undemanding moppets without unduly boring their parents.
Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News
All the Benji productions have had a high corn content, but in this one, even the corn is cheap.
Donna Peremes, Washington Post
The overall unevenness of tone is the movie's biggest flaw, but the slo-mo scenes of doggie derring-do are quite funny, and the message about how to treat both humans and animals evergreen.
Jay Boyar, Orlando Sentinel
Parents ... are more likely to experience the film as a blend of clumsy slapstick and mind-numbing bathos.
Stephen Whitty, Newark Star-Ledger
Long before the happy ending arrives, even the most dedicated dog lover will have ceased to care.
Lou Lumenick, New York Post
It all plays very much like an extremely drawn-out episode of Lassie updated with references to child, spousal and dog abuse.
Nell Minow, Common Sense Media
Charming movie featuring an adorable dog.
Mary Lasse, Christianity Today
Lacks creativity. The first Benji was original, and each new sequel needs to be a new creation. Instead, we get the same Benji formula.
David Cornelius, eFilmCritic.com
Horrible, loathsome, incompetent, wretched. The worst movie of the year? Undoubtedly.
Tony Toscano, Talking Pictures (U.S.)
...nothing in this boring and inept movie is salvageable.
Eric D. Snider, EricDSnider.com
The movie is so earnest and sweet that to criticize it harshly would be like kicking a dog, and far be it from me to go there.
Frank Wilkins, ReelTalk Movie Reviews
A fun and frolicsome adventure for the entire family.
Vince Koehler, Entertainment Spectrum
This is by far the best of the Benji films, with appeal to both adults and kids alike.
Peter Canavese, Groucho Reviews
Good intentions aside, the return of writer-director-producer Joe Camp's "Benji" is terminally boring.
Nell Minow, Movie Mom at Yahoo! Movies
Families in search of a happy ending will have to hope that the next Benji movie is "Benji Finds a Better Script."
Linda Cook, Quad City Times (Davenport, IA)
Doggone it, I have to give this a better-than-average rating.
Sean Means, Salt Lake Tribune
A family drama, and public-service announcement for your local animal shelter, that is more convincing when the four-legged performers have the screen to themselves.

Read all 17 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Sarah P

Really bad acting. It was kind of annoying to watch.
Anthony V

Forced to watch, but it turned out to be enjoyable. Nice subplot with puppy mill.