New Haven Register (Sunday) (New Haven, CT)

Og’s Way Home’ is saccharine and sentimenta­l

- James Dittiger / Associated Press James Dittiger / Sony Pictures / TNS

ready to do ‘go home!’” She also happens to be enemy No. 1 of the city of Denver after she falls on the wrong side of a ban on breeds designated as pit bulls, and impounds them on sight.

“I know, it’s stupid,” explains an employee at the animal shelter admirably succinctly. Another character, Olivia, played by Alexandra Shipp of “Love, Simon” describes it as, “basically racism.” This movie really has it in for Denver’s Ordinance Sec. 8-55.

Once the authoritie­s get word of Bella, and impound her once, her cozy existence with Lucas and his mom comes to an end and she goes to live, for a time, with some relatives of Olivia’s who live in New Mexico. But the dutiful and deeply nostalgic Bella decides to take things into her own hands and find her way back to Denver and Lucas.

Directed by Charles Martin Smith, of such animal adventures as “Dolphin Tale” and “Air Bud,” “A Dog’s Way Home” is actually surprising­ly intense. Bella goes dumpster-diving one day with a pack of mangy dogs she comes across, she witnesses poachers killing a cougar, befriends a CGI baby cougar, steals food from quite a few people and establishm­ents, survives an avalanche, a freeway and even lives alongside a homeless man for a while. She is laser-focused on getting back to Lucas, however, and even the good situations she comes across (like Cast: Kimi Alexander, Farrah Aviva, Chris Bauer, Rolando Boyce Director: Charles Martin Smith Rating: PG

Stars: 21⁄2 out of 4

Running time: 96 minutes living in the very stylish and expensive home of a couple who take her in) aren’t enough.

Although it might be a stretch to categorize this as a movie, “A Dog’s Way Home” is harmless enough and a nice little adventure that’s fit for the whole family. But you might want to have the tissues ready.

 ??  ?? From left, Ashley Judd, Rolando Boyce and Annie Nelson in a scene from Columbia Pictures’ “A Dog’s Way Home.”
From left, Ashley Judd, Rolando Boyce and Annie Nelson in a scene from Columbia Pictures’ “A Dog’s Way Home.”
 ??  ?? Lucas (Jonah Hauer-King) and Bella (voiced by Bryce Dallas Howard) in “A Dog’s Way Home.”
Lucas (Jonah Hauer-King) and Bella (voiced by Bryce Dallas Howard) in “A Dog’s Way Home.”

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United States