Think Like a Dog

Think like a dog was an alright movie overall. Gabrielle bateman plays oliver. A boy that is very smart and likes to create inventions and even one for his dog henry thats a microship. After a science experiment goes wrong he can sunddleny hear his dog and its not long before villians are on the trail. Josh Duhamel and megan fox play his parents. An odd choice but it worked well for the role. Oliver now must help his dog escape the evil people and the feds and ruinte his parents before its too late. This movie has some charm and some pretty funny scenes but overall its just an alright film with a descent enough cast.

Poorly written, lots of minor implausibilities made it hard to watch. Turned off after 30 min and wish rewind would give me that time back. However, it's a 'cute' family film that's not full of profanity, violence or innuendo so there's that. Wish it had been better written.

Probably made for a younger audience. Many of the jokes are just easy, gratuitous humor. It IS a fun premise. The kid invents something that let's him understand the dog's thoughts! The kids are all precocious.. they are saying things that kids this young just wouldn't know.. or say. It's a love story, where oli (gabriel bateman) has a crush on a classmate. But they kind of drop that storyline. Lots of current adult stars in here. Duhamel, fox, nayyar. When oli's parents are about to break up, he gets sad and emotional, yelling at them. Sad music. This all works if we all buy into everything...that little kids say all these clever, adult things, and that oli can talk with his dog. I guess I just wasn't in the mood or something. Just wasn't really willing to buy into it all. The dog makes so many wise-ass snide comments, trying to be so clever. Everyone does a good job with the lines they are given, but the script needed a make over. And a kidnapping. But that gets dropped. And something about satellites? Really? And the dog uses the word "ennui"? If it's aimed at younger kids, who says ennui?? Lost me, just about there. Then, lots of fart jokes. From the dog. Written and directed by gil junger.

OK, it's a kids' movie, so kids will probably like it much more than I did.

My initial expectations had to be lowered significantly as the movie progressed. If you actively engage in a willing suspension of disbelief it will help. The movie is average, but in many places tries too hard to be something more. And the pace reminded me of someone trying to drive a stick shift for the first time.

The plot is one that has been used before in some form or another: talking dog as a result of a science experiment gone awry; greedy bad guy tries to steal the technology; you know the rest -- no need for spoilers here.

If you tend to easily spot plot holes, or cheesy gimmicks, you will be kept painfully busy. The happy ending, in addition to being predictable, was less than satisfying.

If you're able to put all of the adult thinking aside for 90 minutes, you might actually enjoy the movie.

This is a good change of pace, a family movie without sex, violence, or filthy language, hard to find these days. A young boy of 12 or 13 is smart and for a science fair has invented an electrical device which he thinks will allow him to read minds, to discern what others are thinking. Teaming with another boy, located in China, they illegally tap the computing power of an orbiting supercomputer but something goes wrong. The biggest upshot being the boy could now read the mind of his pet dog. They go on to have interesting discussions.

So "think like a dog" has that connection, plus as his pet tells him, dogs are a lot happier because they don't clutter their minds too much, and people would be happier if they would learn to think like a dog.

While all this is happening the boy's mom and dad seem to be falling out of love, he is talking about moving away to take a college coaching job, the parents are thinking of splitting up, much to the displeasure of their son. Ultimately "thinking like a dog" helps them get back on a good path.

My wife and I enjoyed this movie, we watched it at home on DVD from our public library. It is always nice to see scenes of the New Orleans area.