CHRISTIAN PARENT MOVIE REVIEW
of
A DOG’S WAY HOME
When I pick a movie to see, many times my husband will predict if it will be a good movie or not. Many times he is spot on. Sometimes I pick a movie that my husband predicts will be a dud, and it turns out to be loved by the whole family. I eagerly await hearing “You were right.” Sometimes our family is divided. In regards to A Dog’s Way Home, I predicted it would be a great family movie. My husband said, “Dud.” Keep reading to find out who won in this Christian Parent Movie Review of A Dog’s Way Home.
SYNOPSIS OF A DOG’S WAY HOME MOVIE
Bella is a stray dog who has found a forever home with her owner Lucas. Pit bulls have been banned within the city limits, and an unscrupulous dog warden has deemed Bella a pit bull. She is not allowed outside her home or the dog warden will take her.
While Lucas looks for housing outside the city limits, Bella is moved for her safety. She is 400 miles from home but is determined to find her way back to Lucas.
This is a feel good movie that is designed to hit social awareness for a wide range of audiences. It tackles the dangerous dog controversy and the bans that cities have imposed on certain breeds. This movie also highlights the depression veterans can experience, and how dogs can be used in the healing process. It showcases the incredible bond that dogs have with humans, and the depths of the humanlike qualities dogs have. The main couple is biracial, there is also a gay couple, a homeless man, mean people, and good-natured dogs and humans.
THE GOOD: A DOG’S WAY HOME
The storyline is cute.
The journey is “incredible.”
The movie is loaded with social awareness for many causes.
The movie tugs at your heartstrings.
Very mild language – I think there was one use of h-ll. The PG rating is mainly for the content (see below).
THE BAD: A DOG’S WAY HOME
The storyline has been done before.
The computer-generated images are bad.
The music remixes are not stellar.
Definitely a “release to DVD” movie quality.
The movie relies too much on being “cute” and heartwarming that it forgets about acting and moviemaking quality.
There are scenes which may be traumatic to some children. I detail some of these scenes below.
ADDITONAL ITEMS THAT PARENTS MAY WANT TO KNOW (Spoilers)
There are scenes that may be difficult for children to watch:
A dog is hit by a car but does not die
A homeless man dies
A gunshot is heard and an animal is seen dead on the ground
Bella encounters many dangers on her journey – wolves, hunters, an avalanche.
The lease prevents Lucas from having a dog, but he and his mom hide Bella from the landlord. They also lie and hide her in the VA hospital.
A married couple is shown laying in bed together. It is a brief scene without any sexual intent.
There is a scene with a “businessman” who is deemed as evil for trying to tear down run-down houses to develop the land. There are cats living underneath the houses.
FINAL RECOMMENDATION: CHRISTIAN PARENT REVIEW OF A DOG’S WAY HOME
SO WHO WON THE DUD/NOT DUD CONTROVERSY: This was not one of those movies that I won. My husband was correct, and it was a unanimous decision among my family that this movie was not worth seeing in the theater.
Reviewing movies for parents from a Christian perspective since 2005. Know Before You Go!
Christian Homeschooling mom – 30 years and counting
Autism Mom & Disney enthusiast
Yes i was told this was a good movie. And it was ok, i had no idea the gay couple was in the movie. When i saw them i was hoping i would not have to turn it off, but i agree. Im not going to normalize things like that with my children. If i had known, we would not have watched it (and that’s not hate, thats simply how i believe)
It is important to research movies before you let your kids watch them. I do reviews because many people don’t list what parents want to know. Because one parent is fine with something doesn’t mean all parents are fine with it. Thanks for visiting my site.
Homophobia is not hate? If someone says that black people and women are inferior and women shouldn’t be allowed to go to schools, black people should be slave, it’s clearly hate. You aren’t worth to live in a civilized society. Go back to your jungle.
Thank you for letting me know about the gay couple. We are Christians and do not try to normalize this alternative life style in our home, so we will not be taking the children to see it.
No mention of the gay couple?
It is mentioned under the paragraph that talks about the “social awareness” issues.
According to polls, 87% Americans knows some members of the LGBT community and 84% support gay rights, 71% support same-sex marriage(gallup) so I guess it’s not a big deal. There’s even two gay state governors and one gay minister in the US now.