Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey (A- or 3.5/4 stars)
2 dogs, Shadow & Chance (voiced by Don Ameche, Michael J. Fox), & 1 cat, Sassy (Sally Field), are left behind when their human family goes on vacation, & make a long trek across the Sierra Nevadas to find their way home in 'Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey' (directed by Duwayne Dunham), a remake of a 1963 Disney family film The Incredible Journey, & based on a novel of the same name.
Shadow is a wise, old golden retriever. Chance is a frisky, fun-lovin' American bulldog pup. And Sassy is one sassy, snobby, Himalayan kitty cat. Along the way, they run into a host of perils, including forested mountains, angry bears, mountain lions, & an enormous waterfall. Meanwhile, their owners (Robert Hays, Kim Greist) find out about their disappearance & begin a hectic campaign to find the missing pets - if not for themselves, than for their devastated young children.
This is just one, big heartwarming movie. Yes, it's a remake. Yes, the film is directed right at children (with human voices speaking the minds of the animals). And yes, there are coincidences & cliches. But the film is a fleet 82 min. in length. It succeeds as a 'boy & his dog' flick, as well as a 'girl & her cat' one. It's a pleasant affair that ends on an extremely high note. And I cried like a baby. Don't even get me started on the last 5 minutes {haha}.
The voice-acting is spot on. Ameche, Fox & Fields are extremely likeable as our loveable canines & feline. The wilderness scenery is GREAT to look at. The training (of the animals to do certain things/tricks) is stellar. And the dialogue interplay btwn. the animals is hilarious. As innocent family fare, you really can't find anything much better right now. Bright, breezy, & wonderful - that's 'Homeward Bound'.
Shadow is a wise, old golden retriever. Chance is a frisky, fun-lovin' American bulldog pup. And Sassy is one sassy, snobby, Himalayan kitty cat. Along the way, they run into a host of perils, including forested mountains, angry bears, mountain lions, & an enormous waterfall. Meanwhile, their owners (Robert Hays, Kim Greist) find out about their disappearance & begin a hectic campaign to find the missing pets - if not for themselves, than for their devastated young children.
This is just one, big heartwarming movie. Yes, it's a remake. Yes, the film is directed right at children (with human voices speaking the minds of the animals). And yes, there are coincidences & cliches. But the film is a fleet 82 min. in length. It succeeds as a 'boy & his dog' flick, as well as a 'girl & her cat' one. It's a pleasant affair that ends on an extremely high note. And I cried like a baby. Don't even get me started on the last 5 minutes {haha}.
The voice-acting is spot on. Ameche, Fox & Fields are extremely likeable as our loveable canines & feline. The wilderness scenery is GREAT to look at. The training (of the animals to do certain things/tricks) is stellar. And the dialogue interplay btwn. the animals is hilarious. As innocent family fare, you really can't find anything much better right now. Bright, breezy, & wonderful - that's 'Homeward Bound'.