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'The Shaggy Dog' fetches campy, slapstick laughs

The 1959 original "The Shaggy Dog" was the first of Disney's live-action family comedies. It starred Tommy Kirk as Wilby, a typically innocent but inquisitive teenage boy who's magically transformed into a sheepdog after trying on an ancient ring. The running gag is that Wilby continues to change back and forth between boy and dog at the most unexpected and embarrassing times.

Buena Vista Pictures 'The Shaggy Dog' B- The verdict: A pretty fair Disney family comedy. Director: Brian Robbins Starring: Tim Allen, Kristin Davis, Danny Glover, Craig Kilborn, Robert Downey Jr. Run time: 92 minutes Release date: March 10, 2006 Rating: PG for some mild rude humor. See showtimes On the web Official movie site View the trailer    Trailers require Quicktime Rate 'The Shaggy Dog'   Go see it   Make it a matinee   Wait to rent   Don't bother Voter Limit: Once per Hour View Poll Results

Disney's latest remake has Tim Allen shape-shifting in much the same way in a wild tale that mixes "The Shaggy Dog" sequel "The Shaggy D.A." with lots of topical contemporary twists — including animal rights and genetic engineering. And though the story and characters are cartoonish, that's pretty much the point, as Allen and a surprisingly interesting supporting cast (including Danny Glover, Jane Curtin, Philip Baker Hall and Craig Kilborn) work the fast-paced script for all the campy, slapstick laughs they can squeeze from it.

Mugging, gritting his teeth and, yes, growling, Allen plays ambitious L.A. assistant district attorney Dave Douglas, a failed family man who doesn't have time for his wife, perky Kristin Davis of "Sex and the City," or his two kids. And, oh yeah, Douglas also hates dogs.

The convoluted plot turns on the goings-on at a secret laboratory where a group of evil genius scientists, led by a particularly fruity Robert Downey Jr., are experimenting on a 300-year-old bearded collie they kidnapped from Tibet. Meanwhile, Douglas is scoring political points, but not getting the love of his nearest and dearest, by prosecuting his daughter's social studies teacher for breaking into the lab.

The freaky creatures the teacher finds there — including a hopping hybrid bulldog- bullfrog, and a cobra with a flapping dog's tongue and furry wagging tail — are animatronic and computer-generated animal comedians that threaten to steal the last third of the show from the star.

In the end, though, Allen delivers the warm-and-fuzzy-as-a-puppy Disney message, as his Douglas discovers he's a much better husband and dad as a dog.