Review: Disney's Teacher's Pet (**)

DISNEY'S TEACHER'S PET
A film review by Steve Rhodes

Copyright 2004 Steve Rhodes

RATING (0 TO ****): **


DISNEY'S TEACHER'S PET is the type of film that gets me upset with my fellow
critics who tend to lower their standards when it comes to movies targeted
at kids and slap *** ratings on the films even if they are merely okay.
It's the same twisted logic that has teachers pacifying students and parents
by passing out only As and a few Bs, as if the grades were candy at
Halloween. Disney is still quite capable of many wonderful movies for kids,
LILO & STITCH being one recent example, but DISNEY'S TEACHER'S PET is no
LILO & STITCH, not even close.



DISNEY'S TEACHER'S PET is only for fans of the cartoon series on which it is
based. But even if you love the series, why pay the high price of theater
tickets to see a slightly extended version of the exact same thing that you
could see for free on your television at home?



The story concerns a dog named Spot (voiced by Nathan Lane), who, like
Pinocchio, dreams of becoming a "real live boy." The movie features a lot
of instantly forgettable songs, which include Spot's "I Gotta Be A Boy."
Most of the time you'll be thinking what Spot says to his owner, Leonard
Helperman (voiced by Shaun Fleming), when Leonard is about to burst out in
song, "Oh jeez, you're going to sing again!"



Spot spends most of the movie trying to get a mad scientist to transform him
into a human, thus fulfilling his destiny. The closest the movie ever comes
to a completely satisfying moment is when the characters do a blitzkrieg
song that works in the names of all the fifty states. By the time the song
is over, they're exhausted. You won't leave exhausted after seeing the
movie, but you may leave undernourished, not having seen enough movie for
your dollars. If you like the series, catch it on TV. The movie version
just isn't worth it.



DISNEY'S TEACHER'S PET runs 1:10. It is rated PG for "some mildly crude
humor" and would be acceptable for all ages.



The film is playing in nationwide release now in the United States. In the
Silicon Valley, it is showing at the AMC and the Century theaters.



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