Blu-ray Movie Reviews

Two orphans, Andi (Emma Roberts) and her younger brother Bruce (Jake T. Austin), find themselves in a foster home with a strict "no pets" policy, so they set out to find a home for their dog Friday. Using an abandoned hotel in their neighborhood, they soon realize it can house more than just their own dog, and they end up creating a haven for all the strays in the city.

If parents can check their brains at the door for 100 minutes, this is a great family film, although it's very far-fetched and definitely written with the kids in mind. Emma Roberts, much like her aunt Julia Roberts, has screen presence and does a great job playing the big sister to inventive genius Bruce. And the strong supporting cast of Don Cheadle, Lisa Kudrow, and Kevin Dillon legitimize this heartwarming tale filled with family values.

The print is in exceptional shape, as expected from a new release, and it delivers a strong color palette, inky black levels, and a fair amount of detail in long shots and especially close-ups. Blooming can be an issue due to heightened contrast, creating some halos around the actor's faces and also some occasional banding.

The DTS-HD MA 5.1 soundtrack is a decent affair, but it won't blow you away with discrete effects. Dialog is clear and concise, and the front soundstage is wide and expansive. The rear speakers are used for some creepy ambience in the hotel but are otherwise underutilized.

The bonus features contain a commentary by director Thor Freudenthal, producer Ewan "Jack" Leslie, and stars Emma Roberts and Jake T. Austin. Additional HD supplements include some "making-of" featurettes that focus on the production and the canine casting, deleted scenes, photo galleries, and the theatrical trailer.

Although somewhat campy, I have to admit that I had a lot of fun watching this movie with my kids. Emma Roberts is a star in the making, and the true stars of the show—the dogs—are cute and lovable. The presentation has a few flaws, but my kids didn't even notice. Recommended for dog lovers and families with kids.

Release Date: April 28, 2009
Studio: Dreamworks and Nickelodeon

Movie: 6/10
Picture: 8/10
Sound: 7/10

Review System

Source
Oppo BDP-83 Blu-ray player

Display
JVC DLA-RS1 projector
Stewart FireHawk screen (76.5" wide, 16:9)

Electronics
Onkyo Pro PR-SC885 pre/pro
Anthem PVA-7 power amplifier
Belkin PF60 power conditioner

Speakers
M&K S-150s (L, C, R)
M&K SS-150s (LS, RS, SBL, SBR)
SVS PC-Ultra subwoofer

Cables
Monoprice HDMI cables (source to pre/pro)
Best Deal analog-audio cables
PureLink HDC Fiber Optic HDMI Cable System (15 meters) from pre/pro to projector

Acoustical treatments from GIK Acoustics