Good Boy! (2003)

45% of critics liked it
(85 reviews)
49% of users liked it
(11,481 ratings)

For his debut feature, John Hoffman wrote and directed this effects-heavy family film based on the story Dogs from Outer Space by Zeke Richardson. Produced by Jim Henson Productions, Good Boy! presents the idea that dogs are actually an intelligent alien species sent to earth thousands of years ago… More For his debut feature, John Hoffman wrote and directed this effects-heavy family film based on the story Dogs from Outer Space by Zeke Richardson. Produced by Jim Henson Productions, Good Boy! presents the idea that dogs are actually an intelligent alien species sent to earth thousands of years ago to spy on humans in preparation for a full-scale invasion and takeover. But when the spies stop reporting back to the home planet, Canid 3942 (voiced by Matthew Broderick) is sent to earth to investigate. Once there, Canid 3942 encounters Owen Baker (Liam Aiken), a young boy who runs a dog-walking service. Owen befriends the space-dog, renaming him Hubble. When it becomes obvious that the dogs of earth have forgotten their mission, Hubble enlists the help of Owen to get them all into shape before The Great Dane arrives to inspect. If they fail, all of earth's dogs will be recalled to their home planet of Sirius. With Kevin Nealon and Molly Shannon as Owen's parents, Good Boy! also features the voice talents of Brittany Murphy, Carl Reiner, Megan Mullally, and Donald Faison. ~ Matthew Tobey, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 29 min.
Directed By: John Robert Hoffman
Written By: John Hoffman, Zeke Richardson
Genres: Comedy, Kids & Family

In Theaters: Oct 10, 2003 Wide
On DVD: Mar 2, 2004
Studio: MGM

Critic Reviews

Richard Gehr, Village Voice
Jim Henson Pictures happy meal.
Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper
... terrible, terrible movie.
Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post
A simple but perfectly satisfying little story about a boy who wants to keep his dog.
Ann Hornaday, Washington Post
Surprisingly nimble and fun to watch.
Claudia Puig, USA Today
No new ground is dug up in Good Boy, but the story is well-paced, sweet and lively, filling a void for very young filmgoers.
Daphne Gordon, Toronto Star
A film which effectively capitalizes on the human heart's weakness for cute things.
Nell Minow, Common Sense Media
Not particularly imaginative, but not the worst.
Andrew Wright, Portland Mercury
This high-concept melding of E.T., Dr. Doolittle, and Roots is goofy enough to intrigue.
James Plath, Reel.com
There's only so much you can do with dog lines, especially in a film that tries too hard to make a statement about dogs and their relationship with humans.
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
...perfectly suited for the small screen...
Staci Layne Wilson, Fantastica Daily
As much as Good Boy! has going for it, there is just something missing and I found myself bored and zoning out more than once.
Adam Nayman, eye WEEKLY
The ensuing wackiness will no doubt please children given to mooning over the family pet; it will lull their parents into a painless, agreeable stupor.
Daniel M. Kimmel, Worcester Telegram & Gazette
Good Boy! is in that mid-range of family films that kids will like and that parents will enjoy rather than endure.

Read all 13 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Derek D

Poor Matthew Broderick. From Ferris Bueller to Inspector Gadget...to a talking space alien dog?!? All I can do is shake my head,,,
Dean L

I enjoy kids/family films. I enjoy animal films. This film is both of these things, but...I can't say I really enjoyed this one. The acting was poor, the plot was mediocre, the jokes were hackneyed and the message was garbled. Young children may enjoy the sight of talking dogs… More
I enjoy kids/family films. I enjoy animal films. This film is both of these things, but...I can't say I really enjoyed this one. The acting was poor, the plot was mediocre, the jokes were hackneyed and the message was garbled. Young children may enjoy the sight of talking dogs and their interaction with human beings and one another, but that is all this movie is good for really...a little visual stimulation (and it is hard pressed even there). They employed some great to fair talent to do the voiceovers (The great Carl Reiner, Matthew Broderick all the way to Brittany Murphy), but their performances were kind of boring. The child actor who plays the lead...don't look for him in the future either. Most kids will find this movie quite boring and even most adults will find it bland at best. Do yourself a favor and rent "Spirited Away" and pass on this film.
Sylvester K

Could be so much better but it's not, retarded storyline doesn't appeal to anyone
Isaac H

The prefix that describes this movie is "un". Unoriginal, unimaginative, uncreative, unenjoyable, and just plain bad.