Dogs in Space
by
Those five talking Golden Retriever puppies from Air Buddies are back! Space Buddies takes them on another cute adventure, this time in outer space. Kiddies who love to watch Buddha, Mudbud, B-Dawg, Budderball, and Rosebud will surely enjoy the extra-terrestrial shenanigans on display here.
Our inquisitive heroes had no intention of going on such a dangerous journey. All they wanted to do was check out a new space ship before it launched. Imagine their surprise when they find themselves trapped inside and on their way to the moon! Along the way they make contact with a friendly bull terrier named Spudnick (voiced by Jason Earles) and his traveling companion -- a crazy Russian cosmonaut (Diedrich Bader) -- plus a very helpful ferret called Gravity (voiced by Amy Sedaris).
Unfortunately, the villainous Dr. Finkle (Kevin Wiseman), who watches from the space lab, hopes to sabotage this entire project. Because of Finkle’s nefarious actions, the puppies must surmount many obstacles before reaching the moon and returning home safely. My inner child actually shouted, “Watch out for those asteroids!” during one scene. Naturally, courage and teamwork will be necessary if the Space Buddies want to succeed. Are they up to the task?
I can’t help admiring the way each pup’s voice fits his or her character in this fun live-action movie -- as well as the little things added to help viewers tell the dogs apart. For example, Mudbud (voiced by Henry Hodges) almost always looks dirty and Rosebud (voiced by Liliana Mumy) sports a pink hair accessory. Also, the action sequences in outer space come across as quite exciting, especially when one of the pooches reluctantly ventures outside the space ship to make repairs. Although the human actors do a fine job here too, it’s the talking puppies who make the movie so entertaining. Just wait until you see how they “suit up” for their eventful trip!
DVD bonus features include: “Buddy Bloopers,” a look at amusing outtakes and blunders; “Dancing in the Moonlight,” a music video with Alyson Stoner; “Disneypedia: The Buddies Guide to Space Travel,” a visit to the set with the Space Buddies sharing their insight about traveling in space; and “Buddy Facts,” a series of pop up facts while watching the film again. The Blu-Ray bonus items include two additional features: “Buddy Finder,” a scavenger hunt; and Disney BD-Live Network, a way for viewers to stay connected.
(Released by Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment and rated “G” as suitable for general audiences. Bonus items are unrated.)