Upon hearing that Chevy Chase turned down many popular films but made many bad movies, I had to find what I thought would be the worst film he made. I sat down with some buddies and we watched this movie with 3 different names. It genuinely has awful jokes and writing, not to mention the horrendous sound mixing, but we got through it all.
The best part of this movie was Tom Arnold as Doug the Dog Catcher, surprisingly. He lands some decent jokes (Christmas Rabies) and near the end of the film absolutely shreds this rich, entitled woman (more on that later). Chevy delivered a few decent lines of his own, but Tom owned it. Oh yeah, and Rob Schneider is in this movie too as the film's titular character. Afraid to say, I did not find the character of Shelby to be funny or really interesting whatsoever. He just kept going on and on and on when you'd think there was nothing to go on about.
Every character in this film is a stereotype of some sort: the all too chill dad, the annoying bratty cousin, the GAMER brother, I could go on. Dialogue felt forced at times and definitely worthy of cringe at times. There's a character in here who serves as a kind of love interest for the older brother, has two scenes, and is never again mentioned nor seen. Needless to say, this was confusing for sure.
So, what actually is the plot of "Shelby" or "Shelby: The Dog Who Saved Christmas" or "Shelby: A Magical Holiday Tail"? Well the story is: Shelby is a "fugitive and a criminal", per Doug the Dog Catcher, and finally escapes the pound after being promised to a rich lady for her entitled son. He then winds up at some kid's house and hides there as Doug attempts to catch him and sell him to the rich lady for $5k. After some #ChristmasChaos, Shelby is taken away back to the pound and the kid and some other kids go on a daring rescue mission. During the mission, rich lady comes to pick up the dog and after many exasperating attempts to get Shelby to do a trick, she tries to hit him with a broom. Here, Doug catches the broom and then BERATES this woman. He goes off about how you don't abuse dogs and then RIPS into her about the way she's raising her son, telling her that she needs to stop badmouthing her ex-husband to the kid and to stop spoiling him. To top it all off, the kid's name is Francis...sorry kid. This was wild for me. Anyway, then Shelby decides to escape and runs into the incinerator room ONLY TO BE INCINERATED. But this turns out to be an elaborate magic act by the kid and Shelby turns out okay and that is the end of the movie. I don't know WHY they decided this was a good magic trick, but they did it.
This film is a mess for sure. I would not have liked it at all, I think, had it not been for my friends. It very well would've gotten less than this score I give it. Perhaps I am being biased in my review, but what review isn't? S or STDWSC or SAMHT is not a great movie, it is pretty terrible. But it is stupid fun with friends.
Oh, and by the way, it's DOUG, not Dog. Doug Jones.
The best part of this movie was Tom Arnold as Doug the Dog Catcher, surprisingly. He lands some decent jokes (Christmas Rabies) and near the end of the film absolutely shreds this rich, entitled woman (more on that later). Chevy delivered a few decent lines of his own, but Tom owned it. Oh yeah, and Rob Schneider is in this movie too as the film's titular character. Afraid to say, I did not find the character of Shelby to be funny or really interesting whatsoever. He just kept going on and on and on when you'd think there was nothing to go on about.
Every character in this film is a stereotype of some sort: the all too chill dad, the annoying bratty cousin, the GAMER brother, I could go on. Dialogue felt forced at times and definitely worthy of cringe at times. There's a character in here who serves as a kind of love interest for the older brother, has two scenes, and is never again mentioned nor seen. Needless to say, this was confusing for sure.
So, what actually is the plot of "Shelby" or "Shelby: The Dog Who Saved Christmas" or "Shelby: A Magical Holiday Tail"? Well the story is: Shelby is a "fugitive and a criminal", per Doug the Dog Catcher, and finally escapes the pound after being promised to a rich lady for her entitled son. He then winds up at some kid's house and hides there as Doug attempts to catch him and sell him to the rich lady for $5k. After some #ChristmasChaos, Shelby is taken away back to the pound and the kid and some other kids go on a daring rescue mission. During the mission, rich lady comes to pick up the dog and after many exasperating attempts to get Shelby to do a trick, she tries to hit him with a broom. Here, Doug catches the broom and then BERATES this woman. He goes off about how you don't abuse dogs and then RIPS into her about the way she's raising her son, telling her that she needs to stop badmouthing her ex-husband to the kid and to stop spoiling him. To top it all off, the kid's name is Francis...sorry kid. This was wild for me. Anyway, then Shelby decides to escape and runs into the incinerator room ONLY TO BE INCINERATED. But this turns out to be an elaborate magic act by the kid and Shelby turns out okay and that is the end of the movie. I don't know WHY they decided this was a good magic trick, but they did it.
This film is a mess for sure. I would not have liked it at all, I think, had it not been for my friends. It very well would've gotten less than this score I give it. Perhaps I am being biased in my review, but what review isn't? S or STDWSC or SAMHT is not a great movie, it is pretty terrible. But it is stupid fun with friends.
Oh, and by the way, it's DOUG, not Dog. Doug Jones.