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Rating: 4 out of 5
I love dogs! Dogs are the most incredible species around for their companionship and loyalty. I don’t understand how anyone can be mean to dogs. They are absolutely lovable and kind, and they are called man’s best friend. Growing up, I had two dogs, Jack and Stormy. Stormy was the first dog to come into my family’s life. She was a German Shepherd with big, long ears and wolflike features. I want to have another German Shepherd when I get my own home. Jack was a mix between a chow and a Golden Retriever. His coat was terrific, but his purple tongue made me laugh the most. We got Jack from my grandma when he was a puppy. Jack was also my favorite as he was the fittest and looked like he played zero games with anyone, but he was a kind dog. When they passed away, it crushed me, but I always remembered one of my favorite movies, All Dogs Go to Heaven. I believe they are up there now, jumping around and having a great time in some park with their milk bone.
All Dogs Go to Heaven is one of my favorite animated films, and it has one of my mood songs, which I whistle. All Dogs Go to Heaven is an animated film directed by Don Bluth and co-directed by Gary Goldman. The film is set in the fantastic city of New Orleans in 1939. Charlie B. Barkin, a German Shepherd voiced by the great Bert Reynolds, is locked up in the dog pound. His best friend, Itchy Itchiford, voiced by Dom DeLuise, a dachshund, helps him break out of the joint and come back to their spot, a casino on the bayou. Charlie isn’t really a “good” dog as he gambles and probably has a litter of kids. The dude is all about him and making money. His business partner, Carface Caruthers, voiced by Vic Tayback, a Pitbull, is surprised to see him as he framed Charlie as he wanted the business. Carface decides the best way to control everything is to get rid of Charlie. What does this dog do? He gets Charlie wasted drunk and sends a car to him, killing him. Straight up savage.
Well, Charlie, for all his questionable deeds, is sent straight to Heaven. While up there, he is greeted by an angel who tells him that because all dogs have good inside of them and are loyal, they are sent to Heaven. The angel shows Charlie a pocket watch that represents his life. Since the watch has stopped, he is dead. Charlie, being the hustler that he is, sees an opportunity and decides that Heaven isn’t for him. He steals the watch, winds it back up, and is sent back to Earth. As Charlie descends, the angel tells him that he can never return to Heaven ever again. When Charlie returns, he reunites with Itchy, and Charlie is like, I’m going to take everything from that bastard, Carface. Itchy lets Charlie know that Carface has some type of monster that helps him succeed. The pair decides to check out this and find out that Carface’s monster is actually a young orphan named Anne-Marie, voiced by Judith Barsi, who can talk to animals, which is an excellent skill when betting on races. Charlie rescues her under the “promise” that he will feed the poor and help her find a family.
Charlie and Itchy hit the big time with Anne-Marie, where they win tons of money, go shopping, and even build a bigger and better casino. Anne-Marie, seeing this, gets pissed and decides to leave when Charlie manipulates her again by taking her to see a family of puppies and their mother, Flo. Charlie rolls up with a pizza and teaches the importance of sharing. Charlie has somewhat of a soul. Things come ahead when Carface learns of Charlie and tries to kill him again. Charlie is faced with saving Anne-Marie or dying and going straight to Hell.
With most Don Bluth films, this one is a little darker in style, animation, and story. The story has great themes, but it might be too mature for someone under five. It was one of the first films and definitely the first animated films that dealt with the subject of Heaven and Hell. It is pretty frightening for a child, but I guess you have to learn one day. Other themes in this film’s plot deal with companionship, death, being truthful, and sharing. That is a lot of themes for a kid’s movie, but it works. I enjoy the way Bluth displays each theme with a song. Sometimes, the best way to remember something is with a song. I remember almost all of them, even all these years later.
The animation of this film is dark. It’s not a happy-go-lucky film like a Disney film. Bluth usually uses dark tones and colors because his movies are gloomy. You can tell the difference between a Bluth film and a Disney film. It works for these types of films because the message and tone are darker and more mature. When showing the nightmare and Hell scenes, they are not for a kid as you become scared by watching it. Charlie dreams of going down a lava river on a boat as little demons attack him. Even the final scene where the demon dog allows Charlie to see Anne-Marie for the last time. The scene is gloomy, with a red mist-like fog around as Charlie makes his way to Anne-Marie’s room. What I like about this scene is when Charlie and Anne-Marie say goodbye. You see, Anne-Marie’s reflection is Charlie’s eyes and vice versa. It was a beautifully drawn scene.
With almost all animated films, you know it’s all about the music. This one has three excellent songs. The first song I want to talk about is “What’s Mine is Yours.” Charlie sang this song when he was teaching the litter to share when he brought pizza. This is an educational song with a nice, upbeat tone. Another song that is great and fun to listen to is “Let’s Make Music Together.” Charlie and that giant gator singing is a fun song. Who wouldn’t want to make music with someone? Now, my all-time favorite song is “Let Me Be Surprised.” I LOVE this song and whistle it when I am thrilled and in a blissful mode. Who wouldn’t want to be surprised in this world as it makes everything exciting and fun?
The voice acting is great in this film. Burt Reynolds as Charlie was fun to hear. I feel like he is a Charlie who likes to have a good time and has such a distinct voice. I also enjoyed Dom DeLuise as Itchy Itchiford. DeLuise made Itchy sound like a paranoid and anxious dog but would do anything for Charlie. He also has a very noticeable voice. I want to give a special shout-out to Judith Barsi as Anne-Marie. This was Barsi’s last role as she met a tragic end. If you get a chance, hear her story because she didn’t deserve to die at such a young age.
All Dogs Go to Heaven is a great film, but most people might think it is a little too dark and not a Disney film. The voice acting is great, and the story is not something a kid would watch and even comprehend. The music makes it worthwhile to watch, and I can whistle one song repeatedly. Next time you see a dog, give it some love because dogs are the best gift ever to humanity. When they leave this Earth, they will spend their time in Heaven chilling and enjoying themselves.
BONUS CLIP!!!
