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HOTEL FOR DOGS
Starring: Emma Roberts, Jake T. Austin, Kyla Pratt, Lisa Kudrow, Kevin Dillon and don Cheadle
Directed by: Thor Freudenthal
Rated PG for brief mild thematic elements, language and some crude humor
By John Delia
Hotel for Dogs is a movie I did not expect to like after viewing the awful trailer for the film, but after seeing the movie I’m recommending it for parents and children who love dogs. The film hits home with a good storyline, excellent message and exceptional dog handling. If you need a distraction for your children, Hotel For Dogs is a good diversion while reinforcing their love for pets.
Andi (Roberts) and her younger brother Bruce (Austin) are orphans who have been placed by the city’s welfare officer Bernie (Cheadle) in the strictly no-pets foster home of Carl (Dillon) and Lois Scudder (Kudrow). Andi and Bruce’s dog, who has taken refuge on their fire escape, has been swiping food on the street to fill his over active appetite. Sad that their pet does not have a future, the two children are desperate to find a way to keep their dog even if it means trying to get new foster portents.
When Andi and Bruce accidentally stumble on an abandoned hotel that is already home to a couple of resourceful strays, Andi has an idea. She taps Bruce's mechanical genius for turning everyday objects into mechanical marvels, and, with the help of their friends in the neighborhood; attempt to transform the down-and-out hotel into dog haven.
The film is directed at children that have pets and it hits home. Exceptional direction by Freidenthal of the bevy of dogs, child actors and the filmmakers props department make the film very enjoyable to watch. I especially liked all the gizmos and fantastic inventions that Bruce comes up with to feed the dogs, provide a place to poop and some fun exercise. Directing the dogs must have been a nightmare, however as trying to make any animal sit for any period of time while there are others present can be a test of patience.
I won’t give away all the fun, but there is one scene where the dogs get to go on rides in cars with simulated backgrounds and the breeze blowing in their faces that I found to be extremely fun. If you do get to see the trailer, rest assured that the movie is much funnier and more enjoyable. What the trailer does, however is not give away all the enjoyment the film provides like other previews I have seen.
The film contains some brief mild thematic elements, language and some crude humor, so be forewarned.

FINAL ANALYSIS: Hotel for Dogs is a cute and enjoyable film for families and pet lovers. (3.5 of 5 Palm Trees)