Underdog (2007)

16% of critics liked it
(69 reviews)
47% of users liked it
(120,479 ratings)

Bestowed with superpowers when a lab experiment goes unexpectedly awry, an average beagle becomes the savior of Capitol City as everyone's favorite canine do-gooder embarks on his first-ever live-action adventure. The maniacal Dr. Simon Barsinister (Peter Dinklage) was on the verge of a… More Bestowed with superpowers when a lab experiment goes unexpectedly awry, an average beagle becomes the savior of Capitol City as everyone's favorite canine do-gooder embarks on his first-ever live-action adventure. The maniacal Dr. Simon Barsinister (Peter Dinklage) was on the verge of a revolutionary discovery when a sudden mishap gave birth to Underdog (voice of Jason Lee). Not only can this remarkable mutt now leap tall buildings in a single bound, be he can let his "best friend" know precisely what's on his mind in no uncertain terms as well. When Dr. Barsinister and his overgrown crony Cad (Patrick Warburton) threaten to destroy Capitol City, Underdog must leap into action in order to protect the frightened citizens and ensure that no harm comes to pretty Polly Purebred (voice of Amy Adams). ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 20 min.
Directed By: Frederik Du Chau
Written By: Rif Coogan, Joe Piscatella, Craig A. Williams
Genres: Action & Adventure, Kids & Family, Comedy

In Theaters: Aug 3, 2007 Wide
On DVD: Dec 18, 2007
Studio: Buena Vista

Critic Reviews

Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly
The endearing airborne-beagle effects help to offset the formula twists.
Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel
It's a harmless bore.
Jeannette Catsoulis, New York Times
The lackluster story connects the clichés but leaves the characters isolated. Underdog may have been originally created to sell cereal for General Mills, but this latest incarnation couldn't sell Frisbees at a dog park.
Jack Mathews, New York Daily News
Underdog is made for the Saturday morning TV crowd, and parents who lead their tykes to this adventure aren't likely to leave disappointed.
Joshua Katzman, Chicago Reader
The TV show was mildly subversive, with humor that children and adults could enjoy on different levels, but the movie strives for a blander, family-oriented middle ground.
Janice Page, Boston Globe
Where (oh where) are Tennessee Tuxedo and Phineas J. Whoopie when we need them?
Kevin Carr, 7M Pictures
Underdog as a film is not totally worthless. It's a winner with kids, as is anything with a talking dog.
Steve Biodrowski, ESplatter
The essential cartooniness of the plot and the gags works against the rather lame attempt to lather on a message about reconciliation between father and son.
Saxon Bullock, Film4
While this idea may have been enough to happily fill 25 minutes, the film version fails to effectively stretch it out to feature-length.
Urban Cinefile Critics, Urban Cinefile
Call me a kid at heart, but Underdog is the cutest doggone fantasy.
James Rocarols, BBC
At just over 80 minutes it feels not so much like a proper film as a piece of extended filler for slow afternoons on Disney's TV channels.
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
...an affable, sporadically entertaining piece of work that's ultimately undone by its emphasis on relentlessly silly elements...
Anna Smith, Empire Magazine
Despite the talent on show, there's little to distinguish this from any other bland family comedy.
Brian Webster, Apollo Guide
Extras on the disc include deleted scenes, outtakes, and a featurette on the movie's dog actors.
Felix Vasquez Jr., Cinema Crazed
An ill-conceived and often irritating bout of Children's film fare...
Bill Chambers, Film Freak Central
Disney's charmless live-action resurrection of the beloved super-mutt [is] just a bunch of mercenary actors and technicians who can barely disguise their contempt for the film's screenplay
James Plath, Movie Metropolis
At least Underdog kept the whole family in their seats. These days, that's saying something.
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
I found little of interest in Underdog. It was far too juvenile and witless for my taste.

Read all 18 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Alexander D

*See my review of SKY HIGH for information about why Disney should not make a superhero film and market it with the corporation's name written all over it. That's not to say that UNDERDOG was terribly awful, as was the previously mentioned film; it just wasn't good,… More
*See my review of SKY HIGH for information about why Disney should not make a superhero film and market it with the corporation's name written all over it. That's not to say that UNDERDOG was terribly awful, as was the previously mentioned film; it just wasn't good, and it was more like a colorful, cartoony, kiddie, wannabe superhero film. In other words, I'm personally letting Disney slide for this once, given that there were maybe one or two scenes that were remotely enjoyable.
Michael E

its not one of the best films ive seen but its entertaining and stays faithful to the original show somewhat. Jason Lee does a good job as Underdog, but the other actors aren't very good or as entertaining except for Patrick Warburton as the dumb right hand man to Simon Bart… More
its not one of the best films ive seen but its entertaining and stays faithful to the original show somewhat. Jason Lee does a good job as Underdog, but the other actors aren't very good or as entertaining except for Patrick Warburton as the dumb right hand man to Simon Bart Sinister, its such a stupid character but the jokes are so forced with this character that it is funny. I'll say it is definitely not a good film for the regular male adult or teenage demographic, but if you have a little girl, its okay.
J P

Unfortunately, I was forced to watch this movie with 6 year olds. I found the plot boring and uninteresting. I day-dreamed throughout the entire movie. The dog was cute, but the film really didn't impress me.
KJ P

It had a few adorable little addition to it's ridiculous story when it first started out, but it was brought down by it's childish slapstick humor and cheesy effects.
Leigh R

Okay, this was pretty freakin' cute. Can't resist the long running storyline. Underdog was and still is the BEST!
Jason S

A fine kids movie. It kept my kids entertained and that's good enough for me. It's different from the cartoon as it's a superhero dog in the world of humans but I think it keeps the charm of the original.
Brian D

Not my normal sort of movie.But this was quite good in the disney way.It was short and sweet and never boring with a great sence of humour.If you have a little one they will love it and watching with them will be a fun.
Roy G

There's no need to fear. "Underdog" brings cheer.
Nicki M

Extremely cute, but not exactly a gripping story with an interesting plot. Better than a lot of kids movies by far, but still got bored before it was halfway through.
A.D. V

Typical family fluff but untypically bland for a Disney-backed film. The films has many faults and mistakes but two things really stand out: 1) When James Belushi picks up Shoeshine at the beginning of the film the dog snaps at his face. How did no one (the director, editor) notice… More
Typical family fluff but untypically bland for a Disney-backed film. The films has many faults and mistakes but two things really stand out: 1) When James Belushi picks up Shoeshine at the beginning of the film the dog snaps at his face. How did no one (the director, editor) notice this?! And, 2) although Shoeshine is most certainly a boy, when he's CG'd they remove his anatomy. Now I realize this is a family film but dogs have testicles too!!
Jose Z

This movie was good, with the only purpose of entertaining kids and grown up people too. The adaptation from the cartoon was really good and the plot was convincing and very well developed although the story has some flaws, for example, Sweet Polly was a poodle in the cartoon not a… More
This movie was good, with the only purpose of entertaining kids and grown up people too. The adaptation from the cartoon was really good and the plot was convincing and very well developed although the story has some flaws, for example, Sweet Polly was a poodle in the cartoon not a cocker spaniel. The cast wasd good very decent acting from everyone, Jason Lee as the voice of Underdog was very good aswell as Amy Adams as Sweet Polly. James Belushi performance was good, very funny and the best one of all in my opinion was Patrick Warburton as Dr. Barsinister. In conlcusion, a typical family movie, very enjoyable and entertaining.
Mister C

Bellieve me the original cartoon was way better. But the live-action version of this is probably another reason why Hollywood has ran out of ideas and making this new version of an old classic is one of the worst of the summer and it shows. First off,the original cartoon from the… More
Bellieve me the original cartoon was way better. But the live-action version of this is probably another reason why Hollywood has ran out of ideas and making this new version of an old classic is one of the worst of the summer and it shows. First off,the original cartoon from the 1960's was charming and very witty because of the cute and limted animation and Wally Cox's nerdy-but-intrepid readings of now famous lines like "There's no room to fear! Underdog is here." Disney's film version of the classic television show uses a live-action dog with the gravely voice of Jason Lee and trades in the cuteness for lousy pathetical talking dog effects and every bad canine joke known to man. What is even worse is the acting itself. Even Peter Dinklage,in the thankless role of mad scientist Simon Bar Sinister can't keep his dignity while the rest of the film is incredibly offkey and otherwise dumb. In perspective,"Underdog" is right up there with other television shows that have been transported to the big screen that are the garbage of the cimema(see Leave It To Beaver, Bullwinkle, Bewitched, Scooby Doo,and The Honeymooners). If you have kids that are under 10 years of age may find this cute,but in the long run avoid like the plague. Underdog should have worked as an animated cartoon but in all fairness this is a sad,sad,era for children's cimema.
Aaron N

Original Theme Music: "There's no need to fear! Underdog is here! when criminals in this world appear and break the laws that they should fear and frighten all who see or hear the cry goes up both far and near for Underdog! Underdog! Underdog! Underdog! speed of… More
Original Theme Music: "There's no need to fear! Underdog is here! when criminals in this world appear and break the laws that they should fear and frighten all who see or hear the cry goes up both far and near for Underdog! Underdog! Underdog! Underdog! speed of lightning, roar of thunder fighting all who rob or plunder Underdog. Underdog!" Ok, so anyone that wants to see this movie, who is old enough to comprehend this review, is probably at least familiar with the original cartoon. What is one to expect when it comes to remaking a classic cartoon into a live action movie. Somehow, Disney seems to have a certain grasp fro how to do it. The best example comes from George of the Jungle, but this film does its best to entertain. The premise, as in the series, involves a dog who develops superpowers and becomes a hero of Capital City. One of my fav's, Jason Lee, plays the voice of Underdog and Peter Dinklage is gloriously over-the-top as Dr. Simon Barsinister. Then Jim Belushi is in the movie for some reason, as well as Patrick Warburton, who is always good for a laugh. This is a movie made for kids with little appeal for anyone else, but I couldn't help but enjoy myself for the most part. Its not terrible, but I certainly don't need to see it again. Theme Music Continued: "when in this world the headlines read of those whose hearts are filled with greed who rob and steal from those who need to right this wrong with blinding speed goes Underdog! Underdog! Underdog! Underdog! speed of lightning, roar of thunder fighting all who rob or plunder Underdog. Underdog!"
Panta O

I have to say that it is hard to make a movie for kids and please the adults at the same time... but this movie wasn't enjoyed by the kids, either! Few laughs, great photography, and bad acting... that's all I can remember...
Juan C

a funny and enjoyable comedy with some stuff that has some difficulties but still is as entertaining as it's humor and wit. B+
William G

Limp, exceedingly unnecessary live-action version of classic cartoon.
Sylvester K

The only thing worth watching was none, but it was certainly nice to hear Jason Lee's voice. Blame the bad acting and the bad script.
R?o?d?r?i?g?o? R

Decent, but with a poor history.
Marcus W

Disney have been working with Pixar for nearly twenty years and haven't learnt a thing. This film follows every possible cliche. If you think it's going to happen in this generic childrens film, it will. Disney STILL treat children as though they're stupid.
Jimm C

Some good parts but overall didn't keep my interest. I bit HR Puffinstuffish. VERY old storyline. When the dogs talked theree was no effort to make the mouths even come close to the actual words.