Chihuahuas Speak!

Beverly Hills Chihuahua looks a bit like Cheech and Chong meet Milo and Otis. I’m quite fond of live-action talking animal shows, whether camp (like The Adventures of Milo and Otis), sentimental (the last Charlotte’s Web), or through-and-through brilliant (the two Babe films). I even like the lower budget ones like Incredible Journey that eschew digital mouths for straight-up voice-over (nothing wrong with that). So here’s our newest entry in the field, Disney’s Chihuahua flick that opens Friday.

Here’s an L.A. Times article on the financial potential of the film, and here is Variety’s review. Judging from what I’ve seen, I wouldn’t expect high art. The film looks kind of old school, but that can work out better with certain formulas (a talking-animal road trip) than with others (Indiana Jones). And here’s the clincher: kids certainly won’t know it’s old school. If they haven’t seen The Shaggy Dog, the old Taco Bell commercials, etc. (the plot seems to owe more than a little to The Aristocats), then this wholesome little picture will be as fresh as needed for their tastes. Come to think of it, renting The Shaggy Dog would be worthwhile as well…