Clifford's Really Big Movie (2004) User Reviews (9)

Clifford

[random_avenger · 5/10 · 19 July 2010]

An animated adventure about a gigantic red dog named Clifford who joins a circus troupe after he mistakenly thinks his owners cannot afford his upkeep. Together with his animal and human friends he participates in a talent show, but the result is not what they had wished for.

Basically the characters are cute and likable, even if the animation is nothing spectacular. The story never gets very ambitious either: all the problems Clifford and Co. encounter just dissolve away without much effort. Not surprisingly, the importance of friendship is one of the main themes. Not much to see for adults, but young kids may be entertained.

Finally a children's movie that comforts

[raysond · 7 May 2004]

Finally around this time of the year before the onslaught of the summer season,especially after the abundance of the previous Easter weekend crap,there are children's films that maybe entertaining,but let's face it...some of them are violent to the core and some contain nothing but the onslaught of toliet humor and outlandish jokes,that suppose to kid friendly,but it isn't funny afterwards when the audience starts walking out of the theatre absolutely ten minutes after the film begins,and you can tell what is about to happen next right away. From corporate kiddie garbage like recently Disney's "Home On The Range",to the latest Japanese fare like the "Pokemon",to the coming soon "Yu-Gi-Oh",have really destroy the original kiddie fare and it has lost with adults too......

Until now something has come along with some decency for a change and finally,a movie that comforts both the adults and the children in the most kid-friendly,animated feature I've seen this year,and it is a breath of fresh air. When I saw this flick where the majority of the audience were a bunch of parents and pre-schoolers and some teens,I'm thinking it's about time they made a good animated flick without all of the corporate crap and garbage,and believe me,"Clifford's Really Big Movie" delivers. This is an oppressively,innocuous,if not impressive animated feature featuring the big red dog Clifford and all of his friends in there first full-length feature film. This film is spun off from the award winning children's show on PBS,which itself is spun off the award winning series of children's picture books about an enormous red dog Clifford and his owner Emily Elizabeth will provide pre-schoolers and their parents with comfort comfort and amusement. However,this a film that contains no bad guys,no raunchy kiddie fare toliet humor,no violence,and finally no situations of trouble that is nowhere to be found,which makes this,like I said earlier a breath of fresh-air. But of course,some of the characters-canine,human and other may do some unkind things,but there are only a few moments of worry and dispair that disappear quickly,and I mean quickly since this movie runs at a mere 74 minutes.

Young children will snuggle up in the movie's good cozy cheer since they won;t mind the gaudy,clumsy animation,which lamely at times tries to bring more color and dimension to the simple,smoothing style of the television series. Adults,on the other hand may find this film sugarcoated,and sometimes the movements of the rubbery background scenary. But as for the voices,which includes the late great John Ritter as the voice of Clifford,along with voice lending support from Hollywood stars John Goodman,Jenna Elfman,Wayne Brady,Josh Harnell,Kel Mitchell,Judge Reinhold,Cree Summer,and Wilmer Valderrama. NOTE: This film was produced by Scholastic Productions,who is also behind the award winning TV series and released by Warner Bors. Pictures.

Liked it as a preschooler's film.

[mark_juliano · 7/10 · 23 February 2004]

I liked the movie, and so did my 2.5 year old son. It was his first movie and managed to hold his attention for the entire time. He's been talking about it ever since. A caveat though, we're both Clifford fans to begin with.

The movie is near perfect for its target audience of preschoolers. There are no scary parts, the story is linear and clear, there's no violence, and it has a happy ending. The plot lacks the complexity of many other of the animated movies marketed toward older children. It is straightforward story with little development of the character's motivation except for a few key things important to the story. The main characters are consistent and entertaining, and the Big Red Dog is well presented in proportion to the rest of the normal sized world. Some of the most comical sequences are when those unfamiliar with Clifford see him for the first time. Kids seem to love the idea of a HUGE friendly dog, and it's played up to good effect in the film.

The basic story is classic Clifford. He means well and is trying to do the right thing, but his efforts don't always work out as planned. Except for Clifford's family and friends, not everybody understands that Clifford's heart is as big as the rest of him. Clifford's size is as much a hinderance as an asset, but in the end people love him because he's a great dog, and not just big.

For those that that have seen the TV show and/or videos, the movie plays like an extended episode of the show. Same characters (Many of the minor ones don't get a part in the movie), mostly the same voices, and the same look and feel, though the animation is of a higher quality than on the show. There's even some attempt at 3-D animation going on, although the backgrounds are for the most part flat. The soundtrack is better than the show too :). Characters are consistent from the movie to the show, and a several of the running gags from the show are incorporated into the movie.

Whoever made this movie took the best of the show and successfully turned it into a feature length film.

The movie is dedicated to John Ritter, and I believe it is the last film he did.

A True Clifford Classic

[abarel13 · 8/10 · 27 July 2010]

My 2-year old daughter loves watching Clifford on TV and when we showed her this movie she fell in love instantly. She loves dogs in general but the bright red fur of Clifford and the music make her happy and the lessons that Clifford and his friends teach make us happy. It's an adorable movie that anyone should show their preschooler. If you like Clifford or animated dogs, this movie should definitely be in your collection. There's comedy, thrills, and an infinite amount of fun in this movie. It is very child friendly, there are no uncomfortable scenes that could make a parent question the value of this movie and the lesson of not judging people based on looks is one of the unspoken central themes of both the show and the movie.

Very Good and Sweet

[dreamriver1 · 28 April 2004]

I took my two boys 4 and 7 to see it and I thought it was so sweet. The same kindness that is protrayed in the television show was just as loving and thoughtful. It was a nice reminder of John Ritter and that his voice lives on.....The characters were the same as the tv show and it is very believable for the kids to see the movie and relate it to the show. The Man that took care of the animals was equally fair and kind to the animals which made the kids believe the animals matter. In all from beginning to end the movie was entertaining and creative story line and held my two small boys attention.

Very Good movie and Finale to Clifford. Loved it!

[milesrob-172601 · 10/10 · 24 October 2019]

I had this movie on DVD for so many years now but until it stopped working. I really glad i watched this movie i had such good memories of still having it. Clifford Runs away from Emily to help join a Circus with Larry and his animals. Cleo and T-Bone join him. But It was emotional towards the End it says This is for John. that was so Sad honestly knowing He was Clifford's voice actor.

Clifford and Emily Elizabeth! Forever! ♥♥

Very good for young children

[tylerwbennett · 22 March 2004]

I took my 4 year old daughter to see Clifford. She loved it. I would recommend the film to anyone with pre-school children. No scary parts, kept her attention, nothing offensive. When we got home all she wanted to do was play her Clifford game on the computer.

Older children would be bored (obviously). I take my kids to see movies about once a month, and there are times that I am uncomfortable with the content of the film. So often any more the movies are marketed towards kids of all age groups and contain bathroom humor and suggestive material. Clifford's Really Big Movie was marketed properly and the delivered product was predictable. I felt it was well worth the money and will purchase the DVD when it is released.

I got a lump in my throat after the last scene. The words "For John".

Take your young children to see it

[the-movie-guy · 29 April 2004]

Clifford (voiced by John Ritter), the big red dog of children's books and the TV series, hits the big screen for his great adventure. Clifford lives on Birdwell Island with Emily Elizabeth. Clifford hears the next-door neighbor talking to Emily's father about how much it cost to feed Clifford. Clifford is worried that the family might lose their house just feeding him. Clifford sees a poster announcing a contest for the best animal act with the winner getting a lifetime supply of dog food. Clifford, and his two dog friends, Cleo, and T-Bone, leave the island and join a traveling carnival show. They become friends with other animals in one of the sideshows, and soon, they become stars. This is a good movie to take your young children to see. (Warner Brothers, Rated G, Run time 1:13) (8/10)

Dogzilla, or just a huge friendly pup?

[shrinkingman06 · 9/10 · 29 November 2009]

After Norman Bridwell's books and the PBS TV series came this movie about a huge red canine. As in the TV series, animals communicate with each other but humans can't understand them (though the animals can understand human speech, as when Clifford overhears the next door neighbor asking Emily Elizabeth's family why they were spending so much money on dog food). Here, Clifford and his dog pals T-Bone and Cleo decide to join a traveling carnival show of "Larry's Amazing Animals". Clifford feels bad that his family does have to spend so much money on food for him, so he runs away from home.

First when Clifford and pals arrive in the big city, they cause a panic as he strides down the streets. But he finds the carnival and they go across country to compete in a contest for a lifetime supply of food; as it turns out, a dogfood bigwig really wants Clifford to be a big pet for his daughter.

As the film moves on, Clifford is torn between continuing with the Amazing Animals or returning to Emily Elizabeth. Other than a jealous ferret named Shackleford, the animals take a liking to the huge pooch. He has to decide whether to seek fame and food, or return to the family that loves him. But Larry's Amazing Animals are a bit of a family, too.

The characters here seem more rounded and real than their flat TV counterparts. Bright colors, good use of light and shadow, and fun characters. Even an adult like me (admittedly a fan of cartoons and "giant and tiny" animals) appreciated this film. Young kids should enjoy it mostly, and it has some good positive messages.