K-9 Adventures: A Christmas Tale (2013)

So much average

Save your money for something good and enjoyable

If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

The acting in this movie is really good.

K-9 Adventures: A Christmas Tale is primarily a silly family film. A police dog tries to apprehend a duo of robbers and is left for dead.Kassie Stevenson arrives in a new town where her father is the new bank manager. She has to attend a new school, make new friends as well as getting involved with the church choir. She finds a wounded police dog and with her older sister takes care of him.It just so happens that our duo of robbers posing as security guards are targeting her father's bank, especially the money the choir are raising for charity.The film tries to ape the kids Disney television movie formula. Singing in form of the choir, school rivalries especially between Kassie and the rich kids, faithful dog companion and of course the dastardly villains.Its probably enjoyable for younger viewers, the actors playing the bad guys were too broad and silly. The younger kids are effective when they band together but it never gels and at the end when the dog's real police handler who incidentally seemed to have done little to look for the dog when he was injured shows up, it looks like a real punch in the gut.

A good heart warming family movie that can be watched by all ages. The dog in the movie, "Scoot" is a Belgian Malinois (Pronounced as Mal-in'-wah). This breed is primarily used for police work or in the military, not advised to be used as a family pet. This movie turned that breed's characteristic all around by having the Malinois choose a family life over police work! There were several obstacles that were overcome; new kid in town syndrome, kids working together for a common good, foiling an attempt by the bad guys, and of course removing a breed stereo type characteristic from the dog. I particular found it interesting because we are raising a Malinois as a family pet.

I didn't expect much, just a children's movie. I have to admit part of the reason I watched it is my dog's name is Scooter, and the dog in the movie is named Scoot. You get the idea the dog goes through a lot but (good for the little kids) there are no bleeding wounds or anything. The kids are good actors for their age. The criminals are sinister without being too scary. I got a "christmasy" feel from it that families would enjoy even with smaller toddlers, while the older kids may sneer at some aspects, it is geared for all ages. It has the good ending that you want even with a little twist. The dog is a good actor, and I hope he got a big bone for his role. My nieces and nephews all have kids of their own these days and I would recommend this for a holiday family night.