Dakota

An all ages type film. I have 8, 12 and 15 year old kids. Classic family film with strong performances that we don't get very often anymore. I am already a huge Abbie Cornish fan. Tim Rozon and Patrick Muldoon are particularly good. Loved the lead young girl as well.

Thought I was watching a kids dog film from the art work. So much more than that. Abbie Cornish can usually be counted on to give memorable performances and she is really terrific in the film. Reminded me of the old family films I grew up on. You laugh, you cry. PTSD aspect of the dog could have been delved into further. Patrick Muldoon as the sheriff is a scene chomper. A film most families will enjoy. Wouldn't say it is for super young kids.

Thought there was a reasonable story lurking somewhere in here. A less wooden cast and better production values could've made for a good film. But sadly it was very much B territory. Tim Rozon, so good in Wynonna Earp, was disappointing. Abbie Cornish has done better work, Lola Sultan did well. The dog was definitely the star!

I watched this as a random find and the trailer didnt give much away, so I though it could be a good movie. Or at least similar to MAX or other movies that are similar to this. I was terribly wrong. This had the potential to be a good movie. Unfortunately the bad acting by the police force, the blatant disregard for nepotism, mixed with the super unrealistic series of events/concequences throughout the ENTIRE MOVIE completely ruined it. Not only was it a terribly movie but it didn't even convey how smart and talented our military dogs are and what they are even mildly capable of. Which could have easily been done in the first cutscene that they put so little effort in.

The reason I am rating this so high is because it was a true family film like I grew up on in the 90s. Films appropriate for the whole family are nearly impossible to find anymore. If it weren't for appreciating the family aspect so much, I'd agree with some other reviews. So much doesn't add up in this film and really requires the viewer to suspend belief. It is clearly low budget, with a small cast but that isn't its biggest flaw. The mom is instantly starry eyed over her new visitor while the daughter is still completely wrecked over the loss of her dad. The family is about to lose the farm despite Grandpa (who can afford to play golf) having given it to them as a wedding gift. What was the gift, a hefty mortgage? Why are they going to lose it? The caring grandpa isn't going to help? The town is depicted to be a very small town of maybe 400, yet they have a mall. The mom goes into the daughter's room one night to look for her and stands with her back to the bed for a bit, very slowly turns to the empty bed, and finally slowly turns to the wide open window that was obvious upon arrival. While her daughter is still missing, she goes on with other business. The brilliant dog gets captured by some nitwits on the other side of a bush and can't be heard barking by the family. There are constant moments like this in the film that are outrageously unbelievable...just wait until the final scene 😳.

However, where this film deserves the high rating from me is on the basis of family friendliness. No controversial morals, no language, no intimacy, some slightly suspenseful scenes if you have a sensitive/very young viewer but nothing very intense. I did actually tear up at this movie a few times despite the issues with it. All in all, it was an enjoyable way to spend a bit of time with my 7 year old. If a cinema masterpiece is what you're after, this isn't it. If a whole family movie is what you're after, give it a watch!