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'The Shaggy Dog' fetches campy, slapstick laughs
by Bob Townsend

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. 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. Read the full review

TO SUM UP
Workaholic Deputy D.A. Dave Douglas is accidentally infected with a top-secret, genetic-mutation serum. With his newly perked-up ears and his front-row seat on the household carpet, Dave is able to gain new insight into his family's secrets and dreams. Now he wants nothing more than to stop fetching and return to fathering — but first he'll have to stop the evil forces behind the serum.

FILM FACTS ...

Buena Vista Pictures

'The Shaggy Dog'

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

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READ THE REVIEW

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution: B-
"Though the story and characters are cartoonish, that's pretty much the point..."