FamilyFans Movies
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BEVERLY
HILLS CHIHUAHUA (PG)
Plot Summary: A spoiled Chihuahua is kidnapped and ends up on the adventure of her lifetime.
Reason for the Rating: Some mild thematic elements.
Beverly Hill Chihuahua isn’t a movie I would have chosen to see if I didn’t have children. This is not the typical movie I seek out. It doesn’t have deep, meaningful themes, beautiful music, or tell a heart-wrenching story. The cinematography isn’t spectacular, and the location, although international, isn’t exotic. So, I was surprised to find myself enjoying this little story of Chloe (voiced by Drew Barrymore), an uppity, spoiled Chihuahua who finds herself lost in Mexico.
Chloe is a dog most of us would find laughable. Her owner, Viv (Jamie Leigh Curtis), lavishes Chloe with diamonds, cashmere, and silk booties. Chloe changes clothes four times a day, lays out by the pool, and eats prime rib for dinner. Her doggie friends come over for “play dates.” Although she is a snob, Papi (voiced by George Lopez) finds her irresistible. Papi is a Chihuahua who belongs to Sam (Manolo Cardona), Viv’s landscaper, and despite her condescending rebuffs, Papi makes it clear that his devotion for Chloe will never waver.
It
isn’t until Viv departs on a business trip and leaves Chloe with her niece,
Rachel (Piper Perabo), that the action really gets started. Rachel takes Chloe
on a trip to Mexico. While Rachel is dancing on the beach, she leaves Chloe
alone in the hotel room to fend for herself. Not used to being ignored, Chloe
decides escape the hotel and join the fun on the beach. Unfortunately for Chloe,
she is dog-napped for the purpose of dog fights. While
waiting in a cage for her
fight, Chloe meets Delgado (voiced by Andy Garcia), a street smart German
Shepherd who springs her free and helps her in her quest to return to Beverly
Hills.
While Chloe is losing silk booties all over Mexico City, she is being tracked by Diablo (voiced by Edward James Olmos), a Doberman who will stop at nothing to find her. Yet, unbeknownst to her, Sam and Rachel have joined forces and are also searching Mexico for this little dog, scouring the terrain from Puerto Vallarta to the vast Sonoran Desert. Sam and Rachel simply will not stop until little Chloe has been found.
Chloe, while lost in Mexico and running from enemies, actually finds wealth she
didn’t know was missing: friends. While looking for her old life she discovers friends
she would have otherwise snubbed. And these aren’t her Beverly Hills friends,
whose devotion is measured by fashion and the size of your diamond collar, but
who are willing to risk their lives for her safety. Friends who sacrifice their
own interests for hers. For the first time, Chloe sees beyond herself and
discovers others she can love, and who love her just for herself.
And that is what is so great about this movie. Yes, everything you think might happen, does. The humor is cute, but not hysterical. But, hey, this is a kid/family movie after all. The acting is good, the story is interesting, and most importantly, it has a great message.
And besides, your kids will love this movie. Isn’t that what it’s all about, anyway?.
FAMILYFANS RECOMMENDS:
Put aside all expectations and take the family to see a movie that will leave you smiling.
AFTER THE SHOW:
• When have you found a friend that surprised you? How is that person different from your other friends?
• Do you have any friends who will stick with you during hard times?
• Sam and Rachel search for Chloe, looking everywhere for her. Along the way they pick up other stray dogs who need love and a home. How is their search-and-rescue operation like Christ and his love?
JW
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