Will the Extra Large Canine with a Great Big Heart Live Up to His Name?

Did you grow up reading the stories of Clifford the Big Red Dog? I read these books to my children through the years. Clifford is undoubtedly a classic, but can a big red CGI dog be pulled off successfully? And what type of content will we find in Clifford? This Clifford the Big Red Dog Christian Movie Review will give you the information you need as a parent so you can make informed viewing decisions.

Just as a side note: Do not confuse Clifford the Big Red Dog with Clifford (1994 rated PG) movie starring Charles Grodin, Martin Short, and Mary Steenburgen. However, this movie is a very funny comedy that is worth watching and is about a small boy played by Martin Short who just wants to visit Dinosaur World.

Synopsis of Clifford the Big Red Dog

Emily Elizabeth (Darby Camp) is in 6th grade at a private school where she just doesn’t fit in. When her single mother is out of town for a business trip, her artist uncle comes to take care of her. Uncle Casey (Jack Whitehall) is down on his luck and living in the back of a delivery truck. Emily asks to visit a magical animal rescue tent in the park run by mysterious Mr. Bridwell (John Cleese). It is here that she first sets eyes on the tiny adorable red puppy. 

Uncle Casey tries to be responsible and says no to taking the pup home. After all, the small New York City apartment that Emily lives in has a no pets policy. Young Clifford is a tiny puppy, but how Clifford comes to live with Emily and how he grows into an enormous beast are all part of the magic. Emily and Clifford will eventually have to prove that they can both be brave and stand up for what’s right.

Clifford the Big Red Dog Christian Movie Review – What Parents May Want to Know:

The Good:

Honestly, I did not expect much going into this movie. It is a movie about a giant red dog, and most CGI animals still lack the movements to be believable. However, I enjoyed this movie more than I thought I would. 

This movie starts with the narrator (John Cleese) saying, “This is the story of 2 lost souls searching for one another!”

I enjoyed John Cleese as the mysterious Mr. Bridwell, and I loved the nod to the original author of the books (Norman Bridwell). Furthermore, the overall message of “it’s okay to be different” needs to be heard today. While most kids say they want to be different, they usually try so hard to fit in with their peers and have the latest gadgets, phones, purses, shoes, clothing, and even hair color.

Tony Hale (Forky from Toy Story 4, Nicholas Benedict/Ledrophtha Curtain in The Mysterious Benedict Society) plays the CEO of Lyfegro (an experimental facility that wants to “feed the world”), and he tries to dognap Clifford to run experiments on him. Tony Hale is believable as the bad guy and does a great job in that role. 

However, I need to caution parents about the content. This movie was desperate for laughs and ended up having too much potty humor.

Potentially Objectionable Content:

Language:

This is my most significant concern. While there are no swear words, there are phrases that are said that could just have been left out. “You can kiss my…” – the word is not spoken but implied.

“I still can’t get my butt cheeks unclenched”

Someone mentions that it rhymes with “nut hole” for the word butthole. I almost wish they would have said butthole because it would have been less offensive. 

A girl is called food stamps to imply she isn’t rich.

A man recounts how his hand was cut off in a meat slicer.

Oh, G-d is spoken.

Violence:

The violence is mostly slapstick humor; however, this is a lot.

A sheep charges at people. 

There is also a fight scene that takes place in a convenience store where food is being thrown. 

Other Objectionable Content: 

A man is bending over fixing plumbing and his butt crack is showing. Clifford comes up and sniffs him. The man thinks another man has sniffed his backend.

There is a significant amount of lying and deceit. Breaking into a building, stealing computer files, etc.

Bullying: Emily Elizabeth is in 6th grade. There is constant bullying while she is in school, and this includes a video being posted online of an embarrassing situation. Furthermore, almost all the kids participate in bullying by laughing.

Children drive a truck through the city.

There is a two-headed goat.

A man is sprayed when Clifford pees against a tree. 

Overall, this movie shows adults who are just stupid and are easily conned by the kids. 

Other Items Worth Mentioning:

While trying to name Clifford, Ishmael is suggested, and a comment about it being in the Bible is made.

There is a brief scene in a hospital where an empty bed is shown with clothes from the person. It is stated that he is no longer there, and they mention a wake. Obviously, the man has died.

My Viewing Recommendations – Clifford the Big Red Dog Christian Movie Review:

Clifford may be big and awkward, but he is incredibly kind. He embodies the qualities you want in a friend. And while we have all felt the sting of humiliation and bullying, having just one person (or pet) helps make those moments blips in our lives instead of defining who we are. For me, my best friend was a horse. She helped me get through those crazy middle school years when it seemed like I had no one to talk to. Teaching your child that their “best friend” doesn’t always have to be a person, but can be an animal is a great lesson.

As Christians, we ultimately want to teach our children that Jesus is our friend that will never leave us, however, our children still need earthly friends. This movie shows how friendships can be built around a common goal.

This is a cute movie, but there is some content that I really wish they would have left out. While it is not the worst movie that children can see, I have reservations about letting children watch it. Overall, the message in this film is about friendship and being brave, but it will probably be lost in the potty humor. 

About Clifford the Big Red Dog Books:

Clifford the Big Red Dog was first published in 1963 and written by the late Norman Bridwell. Clifford is Scholastic book’s official mascot. Bridwell was an American author and cartoonist who passed away in 2014. Overall, Bridwell had over 40 best-selling Clifford children’s books, and the series went on to feature a live musical, three animated television series on PBS, this movie, and a host of merchandise. Bridwell was married and had one daughter named Emily and a son named Tim.

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Bridwell created the character after his wife’s imaginary friend. Emily Elizabeth is the delightfully friendly and kind dog owner in the book series, and Clifford has a mother, two brothers, and two sisters. 

In the book, Emily Elizabeth is a little girl who is eight years old. In the TV series, Emily Elizabeth’s last name is Howard. She receives  Clifford as a present on her 6th birthday. 

The Clifford books span the usual children’s storylines, such as Clifford’s First Christmas, Clifford’s First Easter, Halloween, Valentine’s Day, and typical childhood situations such as teaching manners, taking a trip, going to the circus, counting, and first day of school.

Synopsis by Paramount+

When middle-schooler Emily Elizabeth (Darby Camp) meets a magical animal rescuer (John Cleese) who gifts her a little red puppy, she never anticipated waking up to find a giant ten-foot hound in her tiny New York City apartment. While her single mom (Sienna Guillory) is out-of-town on business, Emily and her fun but impulsive uncle Casey (Jack Whitehall) set out on an adventure that will keep you on the edge of your seat as our heroes take a bite out of the Big Apple. Based on the beloved Scholastic book character, Clifford will teach the world how to love big!

ABOUT THE MOVIE:

This film was released theatrically and simultaneously on digital on Paramount+ on November 10, 2021. Clifford is rated PG for impolite humor, thematic elements and mild action.

Director Walt Becker (also directed Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip)

Screenplay by Jay Scherick, David Ronn, and Blaise Hemingway

Produced by Jordan Kerner and Iole Lucchese

Running time: 97 minutes

Release date: November 10, 2021

​The Cast of Clifford the Big Red Dog:

Darby Camp plays Emily Elizabeth Howard

Jack Whitehall is Casey

Paul Rodriguez is Alonso Sanchez

​Izaac Wang is Owen

John Cleese is Bridwell

Sienna Guillory is Maggie

Tony Hale plays Zack Tieran, owner of Lyfegro

Clifford’s veterinarian is Kenan Thompson

Horatio Sanz plays Raul

Russell Peters plays Malik

Keith Ewell plays Mr. Jarivs

Bear Allen-Blaine plays Mrs. Jarvis

Mrs. Crullerman plays Tovah Feldshuh

Jessica Keenan Wynn plays Collette

Rosie Perez plays Lucille

David Alan Grier plays Packard

 Ty Jones plays Police Chief Watkins

Russell Wong plays Mr. Yu

​Siobhan Fallon Hogan plays Petra

FINAL THOUGHTS ON CLIFFORD THE BIG RED DOG – Christian Movie Review

Emily Elizabeth (Darby Camp) was poorly cast. Camp delivers her lines in a choppy manner that comes off as not at all-natural. Keep in mind she is a child star who has had other roles. However, Izaac Wang plays Owen Yu, and I would love to see more of his work. Russell Wong plays Owen’s father and is a breath of fresh air. 

Moreover, Clifford as a CGI puppy is odd-looking. He does not look puppy-like in some scenes, but he has a deformed pony head.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Where can I watch Clifford the Big Red Dog Movie? 

The movie can be found streaming on Amazon Prime, and can be rented or purchased on Amazon, Apple Tv, and other pay to rent platforms.

Are there other Clifford The Big Red Dog Movies? 

No, there are no other Clifford movies, but there are three animated series, and a live musical based on the books. Clifford is also the official mascot of Scholastic Books.

What is the Rotten Tomatoes score of Clifford the Big Red Dog? 

The current Rotten Tomato score (September 2023) for Clifford is 58% (critic score), with the audience score of 94%.

How Many Clifford books did Norman Bridwell write?

There have been 80 Clifford books published. Two of them were released after Bridwell’s death.

What kind of dog is Clifford? 

Clifford, the oversized red pup is a Giant Vizsla. While Clifford is a 10-foot-tall canine, the average Vizsla weighs between 45-65 lbs, and gets to be about 2 feet tall. The Vizsla comes from Hungary.

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