Underdog

"There's no need to fear. Underdog is here!" So goes the catchphrase used by the hapless-beagle-turned-superhero. It was probably inevitable. Hollywood has run out of Peter Parkers and Clark Kents, and now has decided to go to the dogs in order to save the world. In this live-action feature adaptation of the popular Saturday morning cartoon series, which ran for nine years starting in 1964, Underdog (voiced by Jason Lee) is an ordinary pup who is suddenly given amazing powers and the ability to speak by a crazed scientist (Peter Dinklage seriously overacting). Living with a security guard (Jim Belushi) and his son (Alex Neuberger), the dog soon finds many opportunities to use his newfound abilities for good, but a devious plot hatched by the scientist and his stupid sidekick (Patrick Warburton) provides the pooch with a unique challenge and daunting assignment. Although there are some amusing touches and a good scene in which the mad scientists' three German shepherds do battle with our four-legged hero, the heavy-handed plotting and limp dialogue make this feel like we are still in TV cartoon land. Of course, those same drawbacks didn't prevent another animated canine series, Scooby Doo, from becoming a hit movie, and the zany antics on display here indicates these producers are following the same safe formula. Unfortunately, what could have been really clever and funny generally falls flat, which is a shame, since the dogs are a delight and the flying effects are impressive. Eight-year-olds will eat it up, but adults probably will want to exit the theater with, as Underdog might say, "the speed of lightning and the roar of thunder!"