Grade: B+
Score: 7.5/10
Family-Friendliness Scale: Level 4 (Great)Age Range: 6+
Two kids and several dogs make up a family? That sounds messed up.
Based on a children's book, Hotel for Dogs tells the story of two foster kids named Andi (Emma Roberts) and Bruce (Jake T. Austin). They live with two rock-star wanna-bes Carl (Kevin Dillon) and Lois (Lisa Kudrow), and secretly keep their first dog, Friday. But when their stealing, make-money antics lead them to more trouble than ever, they consider giving Friday away to a real family. But the dog and the two kids soon stumble upon an abandoned hotel with two unsuspecting guests, two dogs, later named Georgia and Lenny. Later, the kids get help from a pet shop employee and his assistant, and Bruce's knack for inventing things turn this into, a hotel for dogs!! Will they be able to keep the secret? Or will the curtain be brought down on them?
Positive Notes
This furry adventure features positive messages on the importance of family, unconditional love and it strongly encourages the very true fact that dogs need homes, whether they are abandoned or on their own. Andi and Bruce learn to brave every situation that comes their way and they have a huge heart for every dog they rescue.
The cast is impressive in their own right, including Roberts, Austin, Kudrow, Dillon, Don Cheadle, Kyla Pratt, and Johnny Simmons. John Debney does a great job with the music score, and the film has its' share of funny moments with the dogs. Many dog breeds get represented, including ones that don't really ever appear on film.
The music score by John Debney is light and fun.
Negative Notes
Unfortunately though, while cute at times, this animal flick gets into trouble a number of times. A smattering amount of toilet humor mar the script a bit, in which most of it should've been left in the dumpster. Also, kids lie, steal, and disobey their legal guardians/authority.
Language isn't much, but the screenplay still allows five misuses of God's name, and one use each of "heck" and "crap". Besides that, some young kids might be confused by the foster children system, something that parents may need to discuss with them prior to or after the film. There's no offensive adult content (one or two kisses are as strong as it gets), but the dog pound scenes and the mistreating of animals could also upset some young kids.
Conclusion
Everyone loves movies with dogs in them. Homeward Bound and Air Bud are a couple of prime examples. But what happens when you put many strays in a hotel? Crazy things. Kids that watch Hotel for Dogs will get an interesting and fun trip that encourages the adoption of dogs. So, parents be advised, don't be surprised if your little ones ask you to adopt a dog after the trip is over.
But the film is not a clean sweep. Kids and parents still will have to face the usual toilet humor, brief language issues, and mild emotional subjects that will require some conversations.
So, considering its' a children's book adaptation, Hotel for Dogs doesn't fit the same bill that Ramona and Beezus and Kit Kittredge have easily fitted, but its' still primarily family-friendly. Audiences young and old will love the dogs and the heartwarming story. Because of those reasons, its' more than enough that family audiences won't be left in the pound.