Beverly Hills Chihuahua (D+ or 1.5/4 stars)
Why am I even writing a review on this? Well, I'm bored, so here we go. While vacationing in Mexico, Chloe (voiced by Drew Barrymore), a ritzy Beverly Hills chihuahua, finds herself lost & in need of some serious help in order to get back home in 'Beverly Hills Chihuahua', directed by Raja Gosnell. Most people who know me know that I HATE movies with talking animals in them; it's why I abstained from such films as 'Charlotte's Web'. Well, I decided to take a stab at this movie, and I'm sorry that I did. Most of the voice-overs are charmless. The plot is non-existent. And it's annoyingly exploitative on several levels.
While on vacation with her owner's (Jamie Lee Curtis, what are you doing in this thing?) niece, Rachel (a completely lackluster Piper Perabo), little Chloe gets lost & must rely on her newfound friends to help her get back home before a certain dognapper nabs her. Ugh. Meanwhile, Papi (George Lopez), a male chihuahua who's in love with Chloe, is in hot pursuit of her. Coincidingly, Papi's master (and Viv's gardener), develops some romantic feelings for Rachel. Chloe befriends a lonely German Shepherd (Andy Garcia) who travels with her as a protector against the evil Doberman Pincher (Edward James Olmos). It is he who wants to deliver her & her glitzy diamond collar to said dognapper. Ugh. I can't go on. It's all just so pathetic.
Let's see if I can summon some positives from this film. Well, Drew Barrymore's soothing voice made me like Chloe when I'm sure I wouldn't have otherwise (she's a spoiled, bitchy little doggie). Chihuahua's aren't my favorite breed to begin with. Some of the other breeds used throughout the film are fine; I may have even thought, "Oh, cute dog" once or twice, that's it. But the movie will appeal to only VERY small children; who care not for good stories. I don't even think 8 yr. olds would like this very much. The concept for the movie is lame. There's no cinema magic captured anywhere during the course of its 89 minutes.
I also don't like that this film was conceived, filmed, & released during one of this country's biggest economic meltdowns of all time; 'Beverly Hills Chihuahua' flaunts $$, uses it haphazardly, & whines over it. Blech. The stereotypes of various dogs and Mexicans (in general) are exploited to the maximum. i.e., the dogs often speak in Spanish dialogue and use terms like 'gringo' ... WHAT English speaking child is going to understand what any of it means? Too much of 'BHC' put a sour taste in my mouth. The movie could have ended after 45 minutes and I would have been ecstatic.
While on vacation with her owner's (Jamie Lee Curtis, what are you doing in this thing?) niece, Rachel (a completely lackluster Piper Perabo), little Chloe gets lost & must rely on her newfound friends to help her get back home before a certain dognapper nabs her. Ugh. Meanwhile, Papi (George Lopez), a male chihuahua who's in love with Chloe, is in hot pursuit of her. Coincidingly, Papi's master (and Viv's gardener), develops some romantic feelings for Rachel. Chloe befriends a lonely German Shepherd (Andy Garcia) who travels with her as a protector against the evil Doberman Pincher (Edward James Olmos). It is he who wants to deliver her & her glitzy diamond collar to said dognapper. Ugh. I can't go on. It's all just so pathetic.
Let's see if I can summon some positives from this film. Well, Drew Barrymore's soothing voice made me like Chloe when I'm sure I wouldn't have otherwise (she's a spoiled, bitchy little doggie). Chihuahua's aren't my favorite breed to begin with. Some of the other breeds used throughout the film are fine; I may have even thought, "Oh, cute dog" once or twice, that's it. But the movie will appeal to only VERY small children; who care not for good stories. I don't even think 8 yr. olds would like this very much. The concept for the movie is lame. There's no cinema magic captured anywhere during the course of its 89 minutes.
I also don't like that this film was conceived, filmed, & released during one of this country's biggest economic meltdowns of all time; 'Beverly Hills Chihuahua' flaunts $$, uses it haphazardly, & whines over it. Blech. The stereotypes of various dogs and Mexicans (in general) are exploited to the maximum. i.e., the dogs often speak in Spanish dialogue and use terms like 'gringo' ... WHAT English speaking child is going to understand what any of it means? Too much of 'BHC' put a sour taste in my mouth. The movie could have ended after 45 minutes and I would have been ecstatic.