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While many aspects of this film work, the movie lacks some creativity. The first Benji was original in its own right. Certainly, audiences had enjoyed Lassie, Rin Tin Tin, and Old Yeller, but Camp's faith commitment brought a unique aspect to his work. Since Camp has created several Benji "sequels," it's fair to say that each new sequel needs to be a new creation. Instead, we get the same Benji formula as discussed previously. That formula still works for kids and perhaps their parents, but Camp's reach won't extend much farther.

Talk About It

1. Benji has always overcome obstacles. In this film, how did he overcome problems? What can we learn from his persistence?
   
   
2. The Benji movies include difficult issues—a kidnapping in the original, and an abusive household here. Why do you think director Joe Camp includes these things in his movies?
   
   
3. Sometimes, Colby disobeys his stepfather. Are Colby's actions right or wrong? Should we always obey authority (see Romans 13)? What would you have done if you were in Colby's shoes? What options would you have?
   
   

The Family Corner

Benji: Off the Leash! is a family-friendly film. The word "butthead" comes up a couple of times, but other than that, it's quite innocuous.

Photos © Copyright Mulberry Square Releasing

"Parents now have another fun and fairly safe film to watch with their kids," says Mary Lasse (Christianity Today Movies) in her review of Benji: Off the Leash!The film, she says, "presents us with themes such as friendship, overcoming obstacles, and good over evil. Within these themes, [director Joe] Camp also presents a deeply spiritual film in the form of difficult situations."

In Benji Off the Leash, the familiar, fluffy canine befriends the son of a mean, menacing villain who's guilty of domestic abuse and running a cruel "puppy mill." Benji's famous heroism arrives just in time to bring this wickedness to an end.

Adam R. Holz (Plugged In) says, "Benji works because of its well-paced storytelling. Nearing the credits, I found that I actually cared about Benji and his friends. [It] unashamedly praises the virtues of friendship, loyalty and sacrifice without wallowing in the bathroom humor and cut-rate crudities that have become commonplace even in so-called 'family films' today."

But the film meets some harsh challenges from Steven D. Greydanus (Decent Films), who gives the film a "D" grade and calls it "the limpest, dodgiest family film since Kangaroo Jack. I applaud Joe Camp's principles. I deplore his execution. He is right that families deserve better than 'vacuous and safe' pap. Vacuous and unsafe is not a step in the right direction."

Greydanus takes issue with the film's allegedly "happy ending," which "involves the father getting arrested and taken away from his wife and son." He also points out a scene in which dog catchers fall into the mud and then, moments later, appear perfectly clean. "Off the Leash! is as sloppily crafted as any big-studio product from the Hollywood family-film puppy mill."

Lacy Mical Callahan (Christian Spotlight) calls Off the Leash! a "poorly executed attempt. There are many slow spots throughout the film, several scenes that are repetitive, and only a few laughs. I heard two children from different families asking, 'Is it almost over?'"

Michael Elliott (Movie Parables) says, "These dogs … are so expressive it appears as though they communicate both emotion and thought. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for their human costars who give us one-dimensional and completely unbelievable characterizations. This may be acceptable in a children's movie, but Camp has tried to insert some pretty mature thematic elements into his film—elements such as domestic violence or illegal puppy mills—which deserve better handling. The movie works best when the humans aren't on the screen and we can just follow the antics of the four-footed stars."

Meanwhile, about most mainstream critics are sending this movie to the doghouse.

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Related Elsewhere:

Benji's Back!	Printer view
Joe Camp, creator of the Benji films, brings the beloved pup back to the big screen after 17 years. He tells us all about it—and how his faith played a part in the process.