Marmaduke
DIR:Tom Dey • WRI: Tim Rasmussen, Vince DiMeglio • PRO: John Davis, Tom Dey • DOP: Greg Gardiner • DES: Sandy Cochrane • ED: Don Zimmerman • CAST: Owen Wilson, Kiefer Sutherland, Emma Stone, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Fergie
Who knows how they did it? But the producers of this film have managed to assemble an unbelievable voice cast for this terrible film adaptation of the long-running newspaper cartoon Marmaduke. For those of you who aren’t familiar with the cartoon, this film is about as far removed as it could possibly be. The cartoons are charmingly simplistic, single-panel jokes about a giant hyper-active family dog. The film gives Marmaduke a personality, a group of crazy friends and even a social life. Not to mention sunglasses!
The plot goes a little something like this: Marmaduke’s family move from Kansas to California when dad Phil (Lee Pace) gets a job in an organic pet food company. Marmaduke meets some great new outcast friends who are being bullied by the leaders of their social circle. He soon becomes the most popular dog in town but at what price?
There is not much to enjoy in this rubbish adaptation. It isn’t very funny, the plot is outrageous (a doggy surf contest) and it is frustrating to see such a vast array of talented actors tied to this drivel. But I guess if you’re going to say something good about the film it is that the vocal cast is outstanding. From spunky little mutt Mazie, voiced by Emma Stone, to the villainous Bosco, voiced by Kiefer Sutherland to Marmaduke himself, voiced by Owen Wilson. Each of them is well-suited to their part and seem to be working hard with what they’ve got to make it effective. However, it is unfortunate for them that they just don’t have anything much to work with, scriptwise.
If cute mutts are enough to entertain you, and I’ve no doubt it is enough for many young kids, then perhaps this isn’t a complete waste of two hours. But please, please heed my warning; do not go to see this film because you’re a fan of the cartoon! It is an adaptation in nothing but name and will most likely infuriate fans. Children might be entertained, but just barely. Just do yourself a favour and see Toy Story 3 again!
Charlene Lydon
Rated G (see IFCO website for details)
Marmaduke is released on 20th August 2010
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Category: Cinema Reviews, Reviews
