Firehouse Dog (2007)

38% of critics liked it
(82 reviews)
67% of users liked it
(92,800 ratings)

Hollywood's hottest canine commodity has gotten hopelessly lost after wandering away from his master, and now the former movie star has become the beacon of hope for a small-town firehouse on the verge of collapse. Rex is the dog that every child in America has fallen in love with. A pompous A-list… More Hollywood's hottest canine commodity has gotten hopelessly lost after wandering away from his master, and now the former movie star has become the beacon of hope for a small-town firehouse on the verge of collapse. Rex is the dog that every child in America has fallen in love with. A pompous A-list barker whose list of perks overshadows that of even the most esteemed Hollywood actor, Rex 's fate takes an unexpected turn when a skydiving stunt goes awry and his handlers assume that their cash-canine has perished as a result. Now, despite being very much alive, the former doggie diva has become just another mangy stray wandering the streets in search of a home. Lost in an unfamiliar city and pursued by animal control, Rex seeks refuge in a run down building that soon goes up in flames. Shane Fahey (Josh Hutcherson) is a rebellious preteen whose single-parent father, Connor (Bruce Greenwood), is struggling to care for his son and cope with the death of his brother, the former captain of the local fire department. Pressed with the responsibility of getting the crumbling inner-city fire house back in working order while helping his 12-year-old son deal with the untimely loss of a beloved family member, Connor just can't seem to convince Shane to keep his grades up and stop ditching school. Upon rescuing the unidentified Rex from the four-alarm blaze, Connor attempts to teach young Shane the meaning of responsibility by charging him with the task of locating the dog's owner. Despite an initial clash of personalities, the headstrong mutt and the disobedient adolescent soon form a strong bond. Subsequently adopted as the scrappy fire department's new mascot, Rex proves just the catalyst needed to reenergize the dejected firefighters and reform the once-tenuous bond between father and son. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 51 min.
Directed By: Todd Holland
Written By: Mike Werb, Claire-Lee Lim, Michael Colleary
Genres: Action & Adventure, Kids & Family, Comedy

In Theaters: Apr 4, 2007 Wide
On DVD: Jul 31, 2007
Studio: 20th Century Fox

Critic Reviews

Jonathan F. Richards, Film.com
Rin Tin Tin would never have okayed a script like this.
Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper
To me it doesn't mesh well.
Terry Lawson, Detroit Free Press
Firehouse Dog is credited to three writers, but not one of them seems to have a solitary spark of an idea.
J. R. Jones, Chicago Reader
It's aimed squarely at primary schoolers, but they'll probably get fidgety before its 111 minutes elapse.
Tom Long, Detroit News
OK, Letters from Iwo Jima it's not. Firehouse Dog, though, serves a purpose, and it's a purpose you'd know quite well if you had a 6-year-old.
Gregory Kirschling, Entertainment Weekly
[The dog] looks like a cross between a rat and a llama. And he burps, farts, and even poops on dinner.
Joshua Starnes, ComingSoon.net
Firehouse Dog is a run of the mill kids film. Adults will be fairly bored by it, and how many kids like it depends on how much they like goofy animal tricks.
Bruce Bennett, Spectrum (St. George, Utah)
A quietly moving story about a single Father and his Son. This decent film gets better as you watch it.
Sandie Angulo Chen, Common Sense Media
Equal parts dog adventure and father-son tale.
Prairie Miller, Long Island Press
Strictly a man, boy and beast male buddy movie for kids.
James Kendrick, Q Network Film Desk
the filmmakers' decision to use CGI to amend the otherwise enjoyable canine performance is an object lesson in unnecessary effects used simply because they're available
James Bramble, Little White Lies
The all sub-plot story is a veritable self-help manual for tweenies-a sort of Se7en for ages seven-and-up-with greed, pride, sloth and envy bested by humility, team work and fair play.
Stuart McGurk, thelondonpaper
Breezy, silly and energetic, this canine frolic won't win top prize at Crufts, but it should offer an alternative to Pottered-out parents with young pups to please.
Derek Malcolm, This is London
Take the kids and have a nap in the dull bits.
, Sun Online
Firehouse Dog certainly won't be the hottest thing to hit cinemas this summer.
, Daily Mirror [UK]
The dog is as cute as you'd expect, while Hutcherson gives a characteristically believable performance. Adults may not be quite as enamoured, but Firehouse Dog should keep them awake to the end
Christopher Tookey, Daily Mail [UK]
Needs hosing down.
Neil Smith, Total Film
As well as potty humour, this canine Backdraft has its share of adult moments. Mostly, though, it's family fun, with Hutcherson showing he's the go-to kid for sensitive loners.
Tim Robey, Daily Telegraph
It may sound like cute family entertainment, but the dog's no good - he's unappealing and looks depressed.
Peter Bradshaw, Guardian [UK]
I myself growled and whimpered like an abused canine after a couple of hours of this sub-Lassie silliness, though the film threw me the occasional choc-drop in the form of a gag.

Read all 22 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

Jason O

I remember this being a pretty good movie, but what I remember most about it is since I saw it, I call burps "mouth farts." LOL! Major brownie points and props for that!
Roy G

It may not set the box office on fire, but this canine caper is more agreeable than your average underdog tale.
Jose Z

It was a good movie, totally for kids but to be honest I enjoy it very much. The story about an actor dog who get lost and found by sa kid son of a fireman. I think it was original, interesting, with some funny mometns, also with good action scenes, even with some mystery. The plot… More
It was a good movie, totally for kids but to be honest I enjoy it very much. The story about an actor dog who get lost and found by sa kid son of a fireman. I think it was original, interesting, with some funny mometns, also with good action scenes, even with some mystery. The plot convinces me and I think it was well developed. A good cast with good performances from everyone, specially from the dog. In conclusion, it is the perfect family movie of the season, so enjoyable and entertaining.
Andrew F

I saw part of it, and it actually was not that bad.
William G

Points for not using "Who Let The Dogs Out?"
Anthony V

Met expectations.
Jim W

Firehouse Dog is a surprisingly charming little family movie. Josh Hutcherson and Bruce Greenwood are good as father and son and everything the dog does is unbelieveable but still fun. It's also a better movie than any dog movie I grew up with such as Beethoven or Bingo.