Remember Sunday nights when ABC’s “The Wonderful World of Disney” would present a cool family movie each week? Each and every week, you’d get to watch a fun, family-oriented movie that had adventure, animals, kids, and so on. Sure, some were cheesy. Not all of them were re-showings of big blockbuster movies, after all, some were small films. Some were made for TV. Regardless, though, they were fun to watch as a family. “A Dog’s Way Home” is that kind of movie. The whole time I was watching it with my young sons, I was fondly reminiscing about “The Wonderful World of Disney” and wishing someone would bring it back.
The movie itself, about a dog named Bella trying to get back home to her owner, is similar to “Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey.” As the dog makes her way, she encounters adventure after adventure, each one potentially putting an end to her progress home. Occasionally, the movie has edge of your seat action with some of the animals Bella encounters. Other times will have you and your kids tearing up. Beware, both happy and sad tears await your viewing!
Overall, the movie is wholesome and charming and will hold the interest of children of any age from toddler to grown up. Some reviewers will say there’s a level of cheese to the movie. Of course there is, and be glad that it’s there! This is a family movie about a dog traveling hundreds of miles to get back home. You want the clichés, you want the expected outcomes, you want the cheese. Even though the beats of the movie can be expected, they are done well and happen in a way that you the viewer are excited and happy to see. You will root for Bella!
Rated Triplets (aka 3 out of 5 stars)
