I was able to see the movie early and interview the cast to facilitate this review but all opinions are my own.
Clifford has been a staple of childhood for decades now- I know that I grew up with him and read Clifford stories to my own kids as well! I always thought it would be really cool to have a dog the size of Clifford- even though I lived in a tiny apartment that was already almost too small for my 50 lb. dog, let alone one that was bigger than a bus!
When I heard Clifford was being made into a movie, I was already excited- but was also definitely a little nervous. When you’re making a movie about something that has touched basically everyone’s childhood for generations, it’s a risk for sure. Keep reading to find out if that risk was worth it!
About the Movie:
When middle-schooler Emily Elizabeth (Darby Camp) meets a magical animal rescuer (John Cleese) who gifts her a little, red puppy, she never anticipated waking up to find a giant ten-foot hound in her small New York City apartment. While her single mom (Sienna Guillory) is away for business, Emily and her fun but impulsive uncle Casey (Jack Whitehall) set out on an adventure that will keep you on the edge-of-your-seat as our heroes take a bite out of the Big Apple. Based on the beloved Scholastic book character, Clifford will teach the world how to love big!
Clifford the Big Red Dog Movie Review
This movie was absolutely hilarious and one of the best family movies of the entire year- if not the last few years. Every component of this movie worked, from the addition of the new character Uncle Casey {who stole the show} to the community becoming a character in itself to Clifford’s antics. While it’s always going to be hard to believe a movie with a dog Clifford’s size, it was easy to suspend disbelief and go for the ride that was Clifford.
I appreciated the little details in the movie too, like Mr. Bridwell’s name being a nod to the original author. I liked that Emily Elizabeth was able to stand up for herself and that she was able to stand up for Clifford, too. Emily Elizabeth was a great example of a strong-willed but kind child trying to find her way in the world, something that most kids around her age can likely relate to.
The thing that I didn’t expect going into this movie was just how funny it is. I was cracking up throughout the film {aside from the parts where I was tearing up- this movie really makes you feel things!} and even heard some belly laughs coming from my husband. Of course, the kids were in stitches the whole time too- especially the vet scene, where they learned something new about taking pets’ temperatures. {Don’t worry, it’s not vulgar. Just some silly potty humor!}
This movie was a hit with our entire family, and will definitely be a movie that we watch more than once. It’s uplifting, it’s funny, and we all had a great time watching it. It was so good, we’re all hoping for a sequel!
Interview with Darby Camp {Emily Elizabeth} and Jack Whitehall {Uncle Casey}
I recently had the opportunity- along with a few other great bloggers- to interview two of the stars of Clifford the Big Red Dog, Darby Camp and Jack Whitehall. Check out what they had to say about stepping into such a legacy, the process of filming with a giant dog, and more!
Clifford the Big Red Dog is in theaters AND on Paramount+ right now! Be sure to follow along on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and follow the #CliffordMovie hashtag for more fun!
Leave a Reply