Bella is born a stray in the narrow space under an abandoned house. When the rest of her family is impounded she is adopted into a human household. But when she grows up her new family sends her far away from home.
I got a lot more out of this movie than I expected. It was just starting to drag after about a quarter hour but then the dog gets separated and the adventure begins. It reminded me a lot of, 'The Incredible Journey (1963).'
Great for young children. There is a little bit of threat.
I particularly liked, 'Big Kitten.'
A Dog's Way Home
2019
Action / Adventure / Drama / Family
A Dog's Way Home
2019
Action / Adventure / Drama / Family
Keywords: based on novel or book, based on true story, based on a true story, dog, new mexico
Director
Cast
Tech specs
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Touching family adventure
journey home
In Denver, puppy Bella (Bryce Dallas Howard) lives under a condemned house with her family and various stray cats. The evil dog catcher Chuck grabs her family. Lucas and his girlfriend Olivia find Bella. Lucas opposes the developer from demolishing the buildings without saving the cats. The evil developer hires evil Chuck to declare Bella as a pitbull threatening her with euthanasia. Lucas brings Bella to his work at the VA where she becomes a comfort animal to the troubled vets including Lucas' mom Terri (Ashley Judd). While trying to avoid Chuck, Lucas teaches Bella how to "Go Home". It doesn't work and Lucas is forced to send Bella away to Olivia's relative in New Mexico. Bella is confused and sets off to "Go Home".
It's a sweet movie. There are obvious tear jerking manipulation going on here. I'm perfectly fine with that. I like Lucas and I love the dog. The veterans aspect is really pulling on the heart strings. The journey has a lot of fun. At first, I was concerned about the cougar story. I did grow to like the companionship. It got too convenient with the reunion in the wolf attack. Sometimes, a character left behind is better off being left behind. The cougar does not need to make a return appearance. I would have preferred Bella to make the escape herself. After all, the first escape happened with the two campers. Why not let her engineer her own escape crossing a fallen a tree across the river? That was already set up from before and the wolves could fall off. Also the CGI of the wolves-cougar fight is far inferior. It looks very fake. The CGI animals are problematic anyways. Making CGI action is beyond this movie's capabilities. It's just more fun to steal grocery store roast chickens. That fight scene is the most problematic of the movie. The homeless guy is the next closest because I wanted a different resolution to his story. I have sympathy for the guy even if he chained up Bella. There is a way to save him if he meets up with one of the vets. Overall, it's rough at times, sweet at times, funny at times, and a touching melodrama in the good sense.
Sweet, emotional film
A stray puppy, Bella, is taken in by young man, Lucas. Everything seems to be going fine but Lucas has annoyed a property developer who uses his connections to have Bella impounded. In order for Lucas to prevent Bella from being permanently locked up, Lucas sends her to live with another family over 600 kms away. However, Bella is determined to find her way home.
Sweet, emotional movie about a boy and his dog, told from the dog's perspective. Hardly original - movies like Lassie Come Home (1943) and The Incredible Journey (1963) have covered the central plot before - but it works, very well.
Having the story told from the dog's perspective helps too, as does some delightfully funny scenes. There's a wonderful warmth and engagement to proceedings.
Highly recommended, especially for dog lovers.