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MOVIE REVIEW
Teacher's Pet
(2004)
Voices:
Nathan Lane, Shaun Fleming, Rob
Paulsen
Director:
Timothy Bjorklund
Rating: PG
Studio:
Walt Disney
Release Date: 01.16.04
Review
Posted: 01.16.04
Spoilers:
None
Note: I’d never heard or seen the Saturday morning
television show “Teacher’s Pet.” Awards or no awards, I had no
wish to review some slip-shod excuse for an animated spin-off.
So what to do? Well, as I’m not the target audience for this
film, anyhow, why not have someone from that audience do the
work for me. Which is, of course, precisely what I did.
Borrowing my good friend Gregg’s 12-year old son Bobby, I went
with him to the promotional screening and got coerced him to
write a review for me. I think you’ll all agree – he did one
heck of a great job.
Oh – and the movie? Let’s just say I mostly agree with Bobby on
this one. “Teacher’s Pet” was a rather pleasant surprise.
-Sara Michelle Fetters
Senior Critic & Columnist, MovieFreak.com
By
Bobby Oldani
"Teacher's
Pet" a Good Laugh For Whole Family
Disney
Productions, with the help of director Timothy Bjorklund, has
done it again. ”Teacher’s Pet” is great for the whole family.
This animated musical treat is based on a popular Saturday
morning children’s cartoon series. The main characters are Spot
the dog (Nathan Lane) and Leonard (Shaun Fleming), the dog’s
young master. “Teacher’s Pet” is amusing and somewhat
unpredictable as the characters often break into song without
warning. There are lots of musical numbers interspersed in the
plot, inventively created by Randy Petersen, Kevin Quinn and
Stephen James Taylor.
“Teacher’s Pet” will most likely pleasantly surprise the adult
crowd ready to endure another simplistic children’s movie. An
example of adult humor would be a funny take off of the “Jerry
Springer Show.” While this may pass over younger kid’s heads, it
is sure to be caught by their parents. Also for the kids there
is an exciting plot that is very simple to understand, but at
the same time very entertaining.
“Teacher’s Pet” is the story of Leonard who goes to an educator’s
competition in
Florida
with his teacher mom. At the same time, Spot, Leonard’s faithful
English-speaking dog, has always dreamed of being a real live
human boy. While watching television, Spot sees a talk show
telling of a crazy scientist who claims he can change animals
into humans. The greatest coincidence is the scientist lives in
Florida, so Spot finds a way to tag along on Leonard’s trip to
try and find the scientist. However, as they say, be careful
what you wish for, it may come true.
The characters in “Teacher’s Pet” are so likeable you almost think
you know them, even if you are not familiar with the cartoon.
Not only was the animation full of life, but the voices are done
very well. Spot has the best part in the movie because he is
just plain-old funny. Leonard, who is a lot calmer, complemented
Spot’s liveliness.
There are not many negative aspects to this movie, although,
sometimes it gets a little out of hand and crazy. During the
songs images pop in and out almost making you dizzy. However, at
the same time, some people might enjoy that. Personally, I think
the craziness is good for television but can get a little
annoying in a full-length movie.
“Teacher’s
Pet” is a really funny movie. Most of the adults in the audience
were laughing with me. The reason it impressed me so much was
because normally television shows made into movies are not my
favorites. “Teacher’s Pet” is my favorite animated movie adapted
from a television cartoon. It is a great movie for young and old
alike and a perfect choice for the family. I suggest everyone go
see “Teacher’s Pet.”
Rating:
ęęę1/2 (out of 4)
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