Genre: Family/Comedy
Director: Joe Camp
Starring: Nick Whitaker, Nate Bynum, Chris Kendrick
RunTime: 1 hr 37 mins
Released By: Cathay-Keris Films
Rating: G

Release Date: 9 June 2005

Synopsis :

Reminiscent of times past, Joe Camp and his Mulberry Square Productions are once again bucking the tide of Hollywood experts who say that today's family movies must be full of blasts, bombs, special effects and crude humor to be successful. With a new Benji film, Benji's Off the Leash, Camp and his team hope to prove that all of the industry is not out to lower the bar of responsibility and drop to the lowest common denominator in order to enhance the bottom line.

This is a new breed of Benji movie, says Camp, layered in serious subjects and solid story for the adults while providing plenty of comedy for the kids. A true everybody's movie.

It's happy. It's sad. It's funny. And it's full of suspense. And unique because it's all told from the dog's point-of-view. And since there's no narration and no talking animals, this is no easy task. But as The Dallas Morning News said, "There is no Oscar for animal actors but perhaps there should be because this floppy-eared mutt expresses emotion better than many human actors."

Movie Review:

Almost 18 years after the last Benji’s movie (the last one is “Benji the Hunted”), the canine that had touched millions of audience worldwide have faded off my mind. However, a recap of this mixed-breed doggie’s track record has stumped me.

Being the second animal inducted into the American Humane’s Animal Actors Hall of Fame, after Lassie, Benji has received, twice, the American Guild of Variety Artists’s Georgie Award as Top Animal Entertainer. He has also been voted as one of the ten most popular performers in the United States, alongside with Tom Cruise and Tom Hanks! According to sources, his properties (motion pictures, television, publishing, product licensing) grossed a staggering $235 million!

Of course, Benji movies are not based upon any true accounts. Nevertheless, its story has moved many audiences. As a result, over one million dogs have been adopted across America since the first movie opens! Benji has since became undisputedly the World’s Most Huggable Hero!

With such a ground-breaking bio and having Filmmaker Joe Camp, who have been responsible for all the highly successful Benji’s movies on the director’s chair again, one can’t see what could go wrong with this 5th installment. Unfortunately, the latest outing had fallen way below par.
Being a movie on dog’s adventure does not give the filmmaker excuses to lax on the selection of its human casts. It is a shame that only the performance of the 14 years old human lead, Nick Whitaker is commendable. Besides the stiff acting from a string of relatively unknown casts, the
distracting slapsticks between staff of the Animal Control and a mischievous-looking stray, name aptly as “lizard tongue” (excellently crafted by a dog name “Shaggy”) has been overly done and unnecessary. This repetitive, child-like hide-and-chase, which was less than amusing,
had occupied almost 30% of its runtime. This leaves little room for the development of the more desired plot such as the master-dog relationship of Colby (Nick Whitaker) and Benji, as well as the friendship between Benji and Lizard tongue.

Probably the facial expression of the canine leads and the concluding chapter of Benji rescuing his mother from the abuse of “Mr Colby” may earn some sympathy. However, the deja vu happenings throughout were enough to make the movie less enjoyable and satisfying. While the scriptwriter intention was to convey a message of pets owner’s responsibilities and care for
abandoned dogs, audience ends up struggling to concentrate on the directionless and recurring plot.

There are many movies about dogs that could be classified as family entertainment, suitable for kids to parents alike. However, Benji off the leash! regrettably is only meant for die-hard fans of Benji.

Movie Rating: C

Review by Leosen