Benji: Off the Leash! Movie Review 2004

A generally amiable retro addition to the series that began in 1974. Colby's (Whitaker) nasty stepfather Hatchett (Kendrick) runs a puppy mill in their small Mississippi town. He plans to kill a mongrel pup, which Colby rescues and hides (and calls Puppy). Puppy (played by the latest version of Benji) befriends a smart stray named Lizard Tongue while avoiding a couple of inept dogcatchers (Newsome, Stephens) and trying to rescue his sickly mom from the mean breeder. The abuse themes (both animal and human) may scare the little ones but, of course, the dogs are cute and lovable.

Distribution

Goodtimes Entertainment, 16 E. 40th St., New York, NY 10016-0113, Phone: (212)951-3000, Email: information@goodtimes.com, URL: http://www.goodtimes.com

Available on VHS, DVD
Running time 97 minutes.
Originally from United States.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Adventure Drama, King of Beasts (Dogs), Stepparents, Buddies

Screenplay

Joe Camp

Cast

Nick Whitaker, Nate Bynum, Chris Kendrick, Randall Newsome, Duane Stephens, Forrest Landis, Carleton Bluford, Neal Barth, Melinda Haynes, Kathleen Camp, Jeff Olson, Lincoln Hoppe, Joey Miyashima, Scott Wilkinson, Christy Summerhays

Cinematography

Don Reddy

Director

Joe Camp

Music

Anthony DiLorenzo

Other

Scott Kramer, Dava Whisenant, Glenn Ralston, Eric Weiler

Producer

Joe Camp, Margaret Loesch, Mulberry Square Productions, Benji Returns, Mulberry Square Productions