Review Summary: Sweet but formulaic, low-key but unmemorable.
Dog movies were some of my favorites growing up. Great films like Homeward Bound, Because of Winn-Dixie, Zeus and Roxanne, Snow Dogs and Air Bud have had lasting impact on my life. My grandmother (who passed away last summer) also had a fondness for dog movies, as several were among her favorites as well. It's no wonder Hollywood continues to make them. They have a charm that is purely irresistible.
Upon seeing the trailer for A Dog's Way Home, I kept thinking, "could this be the movie to join the ranks of those other films?" Dog films haven't been a popular choice in recent memory, though they seem to be making a comeback now. When I walked out of the movie, however, I found myself kind-of underwhelmed.
I should rephrase that. This isn't a bad movie, it just never quite rises to the occasion. It's undeniably sweet and has its humorous moments, but it doesn't offer much that we haven't really seen before. And it also leans a bit too sappy at times as well without offering much in terms of genuinely convincing emotion.
The story has a few elements that play out differently than it did in the trailer. That was a nice change of pace. The script also appropriately shows a dog's perspective at many instances during the film. As the voice of Bella, Bryce Dallas Howard has the right tone and persona for the character. That being said, she does lack the genuine enthusiasm that Michael J. Fox had for the character Chance in Homeward Bound. As for the rest of the cast, Ashley Judd is the only real known name here and she does good here.
Some of Bella's journey involves some very solid cinematography. There are some nice mountain shots. On the other hand, there are some too obvious CGI creations. The cougar kitten that Bella becomes a second mother to is obviously digitally-recreated. In the meantime, the subplot involving Bella and this kitten does go on a little too long. It drags the film's pace at times, also.
The script has its' share of cute moments, with some clever ideas written from a dog's perspective. This results in some hysterical situations as well. However, it also resorts to somewhat sappy and lazy executions. A few situations seem like they are rushed to the end, and a few even seem a bit ridiculous upon reflection.
A Dog's Way Home is based off a book from the same author of A Dog's Purpose (W. Bruce Cameron). And while Home is a better film than Purpose, it never quite lives up to the wit and fun of some of the best dog movies made. It definitely could have used some sharper writing, and maybe a tighter pace would have also helped.
In the end, it's a family film that works for the moment. It's sweet and simple and it's watchable for some kids, yet it never reaches the point of being anything special.
My Score: 6.2/10
Content Concerns for Family Viewing: A Dog's Way Home is rated PG for "thematic elements, some peril, and language." Parents should be aware of some content concerns before heading to the theater. There are some perilous scenes. An avalanche happens, causing a bit of destruction. Someone is dug out of the snow. Bella is chased by wolves a few times, and later gets into a fight with one pack, resulting in a few mild gashes. Shaky cinematography and some loud noises may make this a little much for very young viewers. A cougar attacks a bunch of wolves. A homeless character chains Bella, and he later dies. Bella seems to nearly die from lack of food or water, but she’s later rescued. We hear a gunshot and see a dead panther. Dead animals are seen in a few moments. In one other scene, a dog runs out into the middle of a freeway, causing a car accident, and is hit by the side of a car, badly injuring her leg in the process.
Otherwise, there is one use of "h***", three of "oh g**" and an incomplete s-word. One of the stops on Bella's journey includes her being taken in by a same-sex couple. The couple isn't affectionate, but wedding bands are spotted, and they are shown drinking wine. We hear references of being "euthanized". Bella steals food for her survival. A couple breaks into private property on repeated occasions. A property owner attempts to demolish the remains of the building where Bella’s cat family lives. It is suggested later that the property owner tries to get revenge on Lucas by having Animal Control take Bella away from him. Lucas and others break VA hospital rules by having Bella visit. They also intentionally hide her when the doctors come in. )However, the hospital is shown to later allow dogs for therapeutic purposes.)
