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{{short description|2007 film by Frederik Du Chau}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2015}} {{Use mdy dates|date=July 2015}}
{{Infobox film {{Infobox film
| name = Underdog | name = Underdog
| image = Underdogposter.jpg | image = Underdogposter.jpg
| alt = A beagle named wearing a blue cape and a red sweater. The beagle is standing on a rooftop with a cityscape in the background.
| alt =
| caption = Theatrical release poster | caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = ] | director = ]
| producer = {{Plainlist| | producer = {{Plainlist|
* ] * ]
* ] * ]
⚫ * ]
* Jay Polstein * Jay Polstein
⚫ * ]
}} }}
| writer = {{Plainlist| | starring = {{Plainlist|
* ]
⚫ * Joe Piscatella
* ]
⚫ * ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
}}
| screenplay = {{Plainlist|
* ] * ]
⚫ * Joe Piscatella
* Craig A. Williams
}}
| story = {{Plainlist|
* Joe Piscatella
* Craig A. Williams * Craig A. Williams
* Adam Rifkin
}} }}
| based on = {{based on|'']''|]}} | based_on = {{based on|]|| ]<br />Chet Stover<br />]
| starring = {{Plainlist|<!--Per poster billing block.--> | starring = {{Plainlist|<!--Per poster billing block.-->}}
* ] * ]
* ] * ]
Line 25: Line 40:
* ] * ]
* ] * ]
* ] * ]
}} }}
| music = ] | music = ]
| cinematography = ] | cinematography = ]
| editing = Tom Finan | editing = Tom Finan
| production companies = {{Plainlist| | production_companies = {{Plainlist|
* ]<ref name=afi>{{cite web|url=http://www.afi.com/members//catalog/DetailView.aspx?s=&Movie=64531|title=Underdog|work=]|access-date=June 4, 2017|archive-date=September 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150929005347/http://www.afi.com/members/catalog/DetailView.aspx?s=&Movie=64531|url-status=live}}</ref>
* ]
* ] * ]<ref name=afi/>
* ]<ref>{{cite web |title=Underdog (2007) |url=https://www2.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b8c50d25a |website=] |access-date=December 11, 2020 |archive-date=October 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029085657/https://www2.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b8c50d25a |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* ]
* ]
}} }}
| distributor = ] | distributor = ]
| released = {{Film date|2007|08|03}} | released = {{Film date|2007|08|03}}
| runtime = 82 minutes<!--Theatrical runtime: 81:40--><ref>{{cite web | url=http://bbfc.co.uk/releases/underdog-2008-0 | title=''UNDERDOG'' (U) | work=] | date=October 15, 2007 | accessdate=July 21, 2015}}</ref> | runtime = 82 minutes<!--Theatrical runtime: 81:40--><ref>{{cite web | url=http://bbfc.co.uk/releases/underdog-2008-0 | title=''UNDERDOG'' (U) | work=] | date=October 15, 2007 | access-date=July 21, 2015 | archive-date=March 6, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306000245/http://bbfc.co.uk/releases/underdog-2008-0 | url-status=live }}</ref>
| country = United States | country = United States
| language = English | language = English
| budget = $25 million<ref>http://smokefreemovies.ucsf.edu/movie/49346</ref> | budget = $25 million<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://smokefreemovies.ucsf.edu/movie/49346|title=Underdog (2007) &#124; Smokefree Movies|website=smokefreemovies.ucsf.edu|access-date=September 1, 2020|archive-date=August 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808100518/https://smokefreemovies.ucsf.edu/movie/49346|url-status=live}}</ref>
| gross = $65.3 million<ref name="mojo"/> | gross = $65.3 million<ref name="mojo"/>
}} }}
'''''Underdog''''' is a 2007 American ] ] based on the ]. Directed by ] and written by Joe Piscatella, ], and Craig A. Williams, the film stars ], ], ], and ] with the voice talents of ], ], and ]. The film was loosely based on the ] and several other characters from the cartoon. Produced by ] and ], the film was released theatrically in the United States by ]. Unlike the TV series, the Underdog character is portrayed as a regular dog rather than an anthropomorphic one. Underdog, voiced by Jason Lee, was played by a lemon ] named Leo sporting a red sweater and a blue cape. The film grossed $65.3 million worldwide. '''''Underdog''''' is a 2007 American ] ] ] based on ], Chet Stover, and ]‘ ], which in turn is a spoof on the ] character ], created by ] and ]. Directed by ] and written by Joe Piscatella, ], and Craig A. Williams, the film stars ], ], ], and ] with the voice talents of ], ], and ]. Unlike the TV series, the Underdog character is portrayed as a regular dog rather than an anthropomorphic one. Underdog/Shoeshine, voiced by Jason Lee, was played by a lemon ] named Leo<ref>{{cite web | url=https://d23.com/a-to-z/underdog-film/ | title=Underdog (Film) }}</ref> sporting a red sweater and a blue cape.

The story follows a diminutive hound named Shoeshine, who gets superpowers after a lab accident. When he's adopted by a 15-year-old boy, the two form a bond around the shared knowledge that Shoeshine is really Underdog. The film grossed $65.3 million worldwide and received generally negative reviews from critics.


==Plot== ==Plot==
In the Capital City Town Hall, a ] on the police bomb squad sets off a false alarm. After being shunned by his fellow police canines, the beagle leaves in shame and is abducted off the street by Cad, who takes him to ]'s lab. Bitter his proposal for genetic experimentation was declined, Simon plans to prove the mayor wrong by testing his new serum on the beagle. Underdog escapes and runs amok in the lab, causing a fire and becoming exposed to various chemicals, which modify his DNA and give him superpowers. In the Capital City Town Hall, a ] on the police bomb squad sets off a false alarm. Ridiculed and rejected, the beagle leaves and is abducted by Cad Lackey, who takes him to Simon Barsinister's lab. Bitter that his proposal for genetic experimentation was declined, Barsinister plans to prove his theory by testing his new serum on the beagle. The beagle escapes and runs amok in the lab, starting a fire and becoming exposed to various chemicals, which modify his DNA and give him superpowers.


After his escape, the beagle avoids an encounter with a ] named Riff Raff and his lackeys. Dan Unger strikes the beagle with his car, but, thanks to the serum, the beagle is unharmed. Dan takes him home and names him Shoeshine after the dog licks his shoes. Dan's son, Jack, becomes jealous of Shoeshine's attention. Dan retired from the police to spend more time with Jack but still seems busy. Jack leaves for school and Dan for work, leaving Shoeshine at the house alone, where he, still unaware of his new powers, accidentally makes a very large mess. After coming home, Jack complains as he cleans up, and Shoeshine shocks both of them by claiming it was an accident. Jack initially runs away, but after they reach a park, Jack and Shoeshine talk and bond over their respective attraction to Molly and Polly, Jack's friend and her dog. After the girls leave, Jack and Shoeshine test his powers. After his escape, the beagle avoids an encounter with a ] named Riff Raff and his lackeys. Dan Unger strikes the beagle with his car, but the dog is unharmed. Dan takes him home and names him Shoeshine after the dog licks his shoes. Dan's teenage son, Jack, becomes jealous of Shoeshine's attention. Dan retired from the police to spend more time with Jack after his wife's death but still seems busy. Unaware of his new powers, Shoeshine accidentally makes a large mess when left home alone. When Jack returns, Shoeshine surprises them both by verbally apologizing. After the initial shock passes, Jack and Shoeshine bond over their respective attraction to Molly and Polly, Jack's friend and her dog. The two then test Shoeshine's powers, discovering he has super speed, strength, hearing, and smell in the process.


When Molly and Polly are mugged, Shoeshine rushes to their aid, discovering he can fly. After discreetly rescuing them, Shoeshine returns home with Jack, making Jack promise to never reveal his powers. Cad shows up at the door with posters of Shoeshine, but Jack fools him into leaving just before Dan comes home to discover the mess. Meanwhile, Simon and Cad find a new lair beneath the city, then plan a robbery to fund rebuilding Simon's lab. Seeing Cad's heist on the news, Jack convinces Shoeshine to intervene. Shoeshine disguises himself and saves the hostages, but Cad escapes. Shoeshine adopts the alias Underdog and becomes the city's resident superhero, donning a red sweater and blue cape as his disguise. When Molly and Polly are mugged, Shoeshine rushes to their aid, discovering that he can fly. After discreetly rescuing them, Shoeshine returns home with Jack, who makes him promise to never reveal his powers. Cad shows up looking for Shoeshine, but Jack fools him into leaving. Barsinister and Cad later find a new lair beneath the city and plan a robbery to fund the reconstruction of his lab. Seeing Cad's heist on the news, Jack convinces Shoeshine to intervene. Shoeshine disguises himself as a fish, saves the hostages, and defeats two robbers; Cad, however, escapes. Adopting the alias "Underdog", Shoeshine becomes the city's resident superhero, donning a shrunken red sweater and blue cape as his outfit.


Simon repeatedly fails to recreate his serum and sends Cad to obtain a sample of Shoeshine's DNA. Shoeshine is rebuffed by Polly but gets a date with her as Underdog. Cad fails to capture Underdog but obtains his collar, which contains Underdog's name and address. Barsinister and Cad kidnap Dan and force him to call Shoeshine for help. Shoeshine and Jack attempt a rescue, but Barsinister uses both Jack and Dan as hostages to convince Shoeshine to give up his DNA. Barsinister synthesizes Underdog's superpowers into pills, forces Shoeshine to take a power-nullifying antidote pill, and feeds the super pills to three trained German Shepherds. He and Cad leave the family trapped in the sewers, but Dan's police experience allows him to free everyone. They pursue Barsinister with a hypodermic filled with the antidote. Barsinister repeatedly fails to recreate his serum and sends Cad to obtain a sample of Underdog's DNA. Cad fails to capture Underdog, but obtains his collar{{sndash}} which contains his true name and address. Barsinister and Cad kidnap Dan and force him to call Shoeshine for help. Shoeshine and Jack attempt a rescue, but Barsinister takes Jack and Dan as hostages to convince Shoeshine to give up his DNA. Barsinister synthesizes Underdog's superpowers, feeds Shoeshine an antidote to the serum, and gives the super pills to three trained ]. He and Cad leave the family trapped in the sewers, but Dan's police experience allows him to free everyone. They pursue Barsinister with a hypodermic needle filled with the antidote.


At the city hall, Barsinister takes the mayor hostage and instructs Cad to attach a bomb rigged with a mind control serum to the roof; Molly and Polly follow Cad. Shoeshine smells the bomb and, conquering his self-doubt, enters the building despite having lost his powers. During a scuffle with Barsinister, Shoeshine accidentally rips open Barsinister's pocket and swallows a pill. With his powers restored, Shoeshine temporarily incapacitates the German Shepherds after he hears Molly and Polly cry for help, but Barsinister eats a pill and distracts Shoeshine by tossing a Frisbee. When the German Shepherds recover, Shoeshine convinces them to turn on Barsinister, who has not treated them well. While they restrain Barsinister, Shoeshine disarms the bomb, saving Molly and Polly. Dan injects Barsinister with the antidote, and Shoeshine, dressed now as Underdog, buries the bomb in the park. He is caught in the explosion and thought dead, but a mournful crowd is overjoyed when he revives. Dan is reinstated as a police officer, Barsinister and Cad go to jail, and Shoeshine returns to protecting Capital City as Underdog. At the City Hall, Barsinister takes the mayor hostage and instructs Cad to attach a bomb rigged with a mind control serum to the roof; Molly and Polly follow Cad. Shoeshine smells the bomb and, overcoming his self-doubt, enters the building. Cad discovers Molly and Polly, captures them, and ties them up. During a scuffle with Barsinister, Shoeshine accidentally rips open Barsinister's pocket and swallows a super pill, restoring his powers. Shoeshine giant ball knocks Cad unconscious. Shoeshine temporarily incapacitates the German Shepherds after he hears Molly and Polly call for help, but Barsinister ingests a pill and distracts Shoeshine. When the German Shepherds recover, Shoeshine convinces them to turn on Barsinister, who has not treated them well. While they restrain Barsinister, Underdog appears on the roof and saves Molly and Polly, cut off ties them up, instructing them to take the mind control serum to the police while he removes the bomb. After being reinstated and promoted by the mayor, Dan arrives and injects Barsinister with the antidote while arresting him. Underdog takes the bomb and buries it underground just before it explodes. Although he tries to escape, he is caught in the explosion, launched into space, and presumed dead. Amidst a mournful crowd, Underdog revives, leaving everyone overjoyed. Shoeshine returns to protecting Capitol City as Underdog.


== Cast == ==Cast==
* ] as Dan Unger * ] as Dan Unger, a former police officer turned security guard.
* ] as Dr. Simon Barsinister * ] as Anna Unger, Dan Unger's wife
* ] as Dr. Simon Barsinister, a mad scientist and Underdog’s ].
⚫ * ] as the Mayor
* ] as Cad Lackey * ] as Cad Lackey, Simon Barsinister's henchman.
* Alex Neuberger as Jack Unger * Alex Neuberger as Jack Unger, the son of Dan who befriends Shoeshine.
* ] as Molly * ] as Molly, Jack's friend and Polly's owner.
* ] as Brittany, Anna Unger's best friend.
* ] as Principal
* ] as Terese, a manager to Anna Unger.
* ] as the Mayor of Capital City
* ] as Principal Helen L. Patterson, the principal of Jack and Molly's school.
* ] as Diana Flores
* Timothy Crew as the Chief of Police
* ] as Police Sergeant * ] as Police Sergeant
* ] as Himself (cameo)


=== Voice cast === ===Voice cast===
* ] as Shoeshine / Underdog * ] as Shoeshine/Underdog, a ] who becomes Jack's dog and a superhero to protect Capital City from Simon Barsinister.
* ] as Sweet Polly Purebred * ] as Polly Purebred, a ] and Molly's dog who is the love interest of Shoeshine/Underdog.
* ] as Riff Raff * ] as Riff Raff, a ] and the leader of the dog.
* ] as Bulldog / Supershep * ] as ], one of the dog.
** DiMaggio also voices a Supershep
* ] as Maim ("Supershep #1") * ] as Maim ("Supershep #1")
* ] as Kill ("Supershep #2") * ] as Kill ("Supershep #2")
* ] as Attack ("Supershep #3") / Little Brown Dog * ] as Attack ("Supershep #3")
** Clarke also voices a Little Brown Dog, one of the bully dogs.
{{col-end}}
* Danny Mastrogiorgio as Crazy Dog
* ] as ]


== Release == ==Production==
In June 2002, it was announced ] had acquired the rights to '']'' from rights holders ] for a preemptive bid of over $2 million with the intent on adapting it as a live-action film for ].<ref name="UnderdogCM">{{cite news|url= https://variety.com/2002/film/markets-festivals/underdog-pet-project-for-spyglass-1117868360/ |title= 'Underdog' pet project for Spyglass |publisher=Variety|access-date=December 18, 2024|archive-date=December 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241218160539/https://variety.com/2002/film/markets-festivals/underdog-pet-project-for-spyglass-1117868360/|url-status=live}}</ref>
⚫ ''Underdog'' opened on August 3, 2007 in 3,013 theaters across the United States. It earned $11,585,121 on its opening weekend, placing in third behind '']'' and the second weekend of '']''.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/chart/?yr=2007&wknd=31&p=.htm | title=Weekend Box Office Results for August 3-5, 2007 | work=] | publisher=] | date=August 6, 2007 | accessdate=July 21, 2015}}</ref> The film closed on December 13, 2007, having grossed $43,760,605 in the domestic box office and $21,509,872 overseas for a worldwide total of $65,270,477.<ref name="mojo">{{cite web | url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=underdog.htm | title=Underdog (2007) | work=] | publisher=] | date=December 14, 2007 | accessdate=July 21, 2015}}</ref> The film was released on ] & ] on December 18, 2007.


In June 2005, it was announced Spyglass and Disney were finalizing negotiations with the possibility of starting production that fall in ].<ref name="UnderdogDisney">{{cite news|url= https://variety.com/2005/scene/features/underdog-on-the-way-1117924734/ |title='Underdog' on the way|publisher=Variety|access-date=December 18, 2024|archive-date=|archive-url=}}</ref> By August of that year, ] was announced to be in final negotiations to direct the film.<ref name="UnderdogDirector">{{cite news|url= https://variety.com/2005/film/features/disney-makes-helmer-underdog-s-top-dog-1117927264/ |title=Disney makes helmer 'Underdog's' top dog |publisher=Variety|access-date=December 18, 2024|archive-date=|archive-url=}}</ref>
== Soundtrack ==
⚫ The licensed soundtrack album is only available as a download on various online music stores. It contains the original score by ] and the hip hop rendition of the ''Underdog'' theme title, "Underdog Raps", performed by then-Disney star ], which received airplay on ]. The ] rendition of the theme, titled "Underdog Rocks", plays at the beginning of the film, but was not included on the album.


== Reception == ==Release==
⚫ ''Underdog'' opened on August 3, 2007, in 3,013 theaters across the United States. It earned $11,585,121 on its opening weekend, placing in third behind '']'' and the second weekend of '']''.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/chart/?yr=2007&wknd=31&p=.htm | title=Weekend Box Office Results for August 3-5, 2007 | work=] | publisher=] | date=August 6, 2007 | access-date=July 21, 2015 | archive-date=July 22, 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150722012927/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/chart/?yr=2007&wknd=31&p=.htm | url-status=live }}</ref> The film closed on December 13, 2007, having grossed $43.8 million in the US box office and $21.5 million overseas for a worldwide total of $65.3 million.<ref name="mojo">{{cite web | url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=underdog.htm | title=Underdog (2007) | work=] | publisher=] | date=December 14, 2007 | access-date=July 21, 2015 | archive-date=December 16, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161216205714/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=underdog.htm | url-status=live }}</ref> The film was released on DVD and Blu-ray on December 18, 2007.
⚫ On ], the film has an approval rating of 14% based on 69 reviews and an average rating 4/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "''Underdog'' is a mostly forgettable adaptation that relies far too heavily on recycled material and sloppy production."<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/underdog/ | title=Underdog | work=] | publisher=] | accessdate=July 21, 2015}}</ref> On ], the film has a score of 37 out of 100 based on 16 critics, indicating "generally unfavorable reviews".<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.metacritic.com/movie/underdog | title=Underdog | work=] | publisher=] | accessdate=July 21, 2015}}</ref> Audiences polled by ] gave the film an average grade of "A−" on an A+ to F scale.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cinemascore.com |title=CinemaScore |work=cinemascore.com|accessdate=November 14, 2016}}</ref>


== See also == ==Soundtrack==
⚫ The licensed soundtrack album is only available as a download on various online music stores. It contains the original score by ] and the hip hop rendition of the ''Underdog'' theme title, "Underdog Raps", performed by then-Disney star ], which received airplay on ]. The ] rendition of the theme, titled "Underdog Rocks", plays at the beginning of the film but was not included on the album.

==Reception==
⚫ On ], the film has an approval rating of {{RT data|score}} based on {{RT data|count}} reviews and an average rating of {{RT data|average}}. The site's critical consensus reads, "''Underdog'' is a mostly forgettable adaptation that relies far too heavily on recycled material and sloppy production."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/underdog|title=Underdog|website=]|publisher=]|access-date={{RT data|access date}}|archive-date=April 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170404043102/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/underdog|url-status=live}}{{RT data|edit}}</ref> On ], the film has a score of 37 out of 100 based on 16 critics, indicating "generally unfavorable reviews".<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.metacritic.com/movie/underdog | title=Underdog | work=] | publisher=] | access-date=July 21, 2015 | archive-date=November 23, 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151123233009/http://www.metacritic.com/movie/underdog | url-status=live }}</ref> Audiences polled by ] gave the film an average grade of "A−" on an A+ to F scale.<ref name="Kilday">{{cite web |date=7 August 2007 |last1=Kilday |first1=Gregg |title=Uni's 'Ultimatum' accepted: No. 1 open |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/unis-ultimatum-accepted-no-1-146855/ |website=The Hollywood Reporter |quote=According to Cinemascore, 49% of its audience was under 18 years of age and 55% was under 25. Females outnumbered males 57% to 43% as the film earned an overall grade of A-minus. |access-date=September 27, 2021 |archive-date=December 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221207002654/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/unis-ultimatum-accepted-no-1-146855/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cinemascore.com/ |title=CinemaScore |work=cinemascore.com |access-date=November 14, 2016 |archive-date=April 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220413083139/https://www.cinemascore.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==See also==
* ] * ]
* ] * ]
* ] * ]


== References == ==References==
{{reflist}} {{Reflist}}


== External links == ==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{wikiquote|Underdog}} {{wikiquote|Underdog (film)}}
* {{Official|http://movies.disney.com/underdog}} * {{Official website|http://movies.disney.com/underdog}}
* {{IMDb title|0467110}} * {{IMDb title|0467110}}
* {{tcmdb title|641833}} * {{TCMDb title|641833}}
* {{mojo title|underdog}} * {{mojo title|underdog}}
* {{Rotten Tomatoes|underdog}}
* {{metacritic film|underdog}}


{{Frederik Du Chau}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Underdog}}

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Latest revision as of 20:44, 30 December 2024

2007 film by Frederik Du Chau

Underdog
A beagle named wearing a blue cape and a red sweater. The beagle is standing on a rooftop with a cityscape in the background.Theatrical release poster
Directed byFrederik Du Chau
Screenplay by
Story by
  • Joe Piscatella
  • Craig A. Williams
  • Adam Rifkin
Based onUnderdog
by
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyDavid Eggby
Edited byTom Finan
Music byRandy Edelman
Production
companies
Distributed byBuena Vista Pictures Distribution
Release date
  • August 3, 2007 (2007-08-03)
Running time82 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$25 million
Box office$65.3 million

Underdog is a 2007 American live-action/animated superhero comedy film based on W. Watts Biggers, Chet Stover, and Joe Harris‘ 1960s animated television series, which in turn is a spoof on the DC Comics character Superman, created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. Directed by Frederik Du Chau and written by Joe Piscatella, Adam Rifkin, and Craig A. Williams, the film stars Jim Belushi, Peter Dinklage, John Slattery, and Patrick Warburton with the voice talents of Jason Lee, Amy Adams, and Brad Garrett. Unlike the TV series, the Underdog character is portrayed as a regular dog rather than an anthropomorphic one. Underdog/Shoeshine, voiced by Jason Lee, was played by a lemon beagle named Leo sporting a red sweater and a blue cape.

The story follows a diminutive hound named Shoeshine, who gets superpowers after a lab accident. When he's adopted by a 15-year-old boy, the two form a bond around the shared knowledge that Shoeshine is really Underdog. The film grossed $65.3 million worldwide and received generally negative reviews from critics.

Plot

In the Capital City Town Hall, a beagle on the police bomb squad sets off a false alarm. Ridiculed and rejected, the beagle leaves and is abducted by Cad Lackey, who takes him to Simon Barsinister's lab. Bitter that his proposal for genetic experimentation was declined, Barsinister plans to prove his theory by testing his new serum on the beagle. The beagle escapes and runs amok in the lab, starting a fire and becoming exposed to various chemicals, which modify his DNA and give him superpowers.

After his escape, the beagle avoids an encounter with a Rottweiler named Riff Raff and his lackeys. Dan Unger strikes the beagle with his car, but the dog is unharmed. Dan takes him home and names him Shoeshine after the dog licks his shoes. Dan's teenage son, Jack, becomes jealous of Shoeshine's attention. Dan retired from the police to spend more time with Jack after his wife's death but still seems busy. Unaware of his new powers, Shoeshine accidentally makes a large mess when left home alone. When Jack returns, Shoeshine surprises them both by verbally apologizing. After the initial shock passes, Jack and Shoeshine bond over their respective attraction to Molly and Polly, Jack's friend and her dog. The two then test Shoeshine's powers, discovering he has super speed, strength, hearing, and smell in the process.

When Molly and Polly are mugged, Shoeshine rushes to their aid, discovering that he can fly. After discreetly rescuing them, Shoeshine returns home with Jack, who makes him promise to never reveal his powers. Cad shows up looking for Shoeshine, but Jack fools him into leaving. Barsinister and Cad later find a new lair beneath the city and plan a robbery to fund the reconstruction of his lab. Seeing Cad's heist on the news, Jack convinces Shoeshine to intervene. Shoeshine disguises himself as a fish, saves the hostages, and defeats two robbers; Cad, however, escapes. Adopting the alias "Underdog", Shoeshine becomes the city's resident superhero, donning a shrunken red sweater and blue cape as his outfit.

Barsinister repeatedly fails to recreate his serum and sends Cad to obtain a sample of Underdog's DNA. Cad fails to capture Underdog, but obtains his collar – which contains his true name and address. Barsinister and Cad kidnap Dan and force him to call Shoeshine for help. Shoeshine and Jack attempt a rescue, but Barsinister takes Jack and Dan as hostages to convince Shoeshine to give up his DNA. Barsinister synthesizes Underdog's superpowers, feeds Shoeshine an antidote to the serum, and gives the super pills to three trained German Shepherds. He and Cad leave the family trapped in the sewers, but Dan's police experience allows him to free everyone. They pursue Barsinister with a hypodermic needle filled with the antidote.

At the City Hall, Barsinister takes the mayor hostage and instructs Cad to attach a bomb rigged with a mind control serum to the roof; Molly and Polly follow Cad. Shoeshine smells the bomb and, overcoming his self-doubt, enters the building. Cad discovers Molly and Polly, captures them, and ties them up. During a scuffle with Barsinister, Shoeshine accidentally rips open Barsinister's pocket and swallows a super pill, restoring his powers. Shoeshine giant ball knocks Cad unconscious. Shoeshine temporarily incapacitates the German Shepherds after he hears Molly and Polly call for help, but Barsinister ingests a pill and distracts Shoeshine. When the German Shepherds recover, Shoeshine convinces them to turn on Barsinister, who has not treated them well. While they restrain Barsinister, Underdog appears on the roof and saves Molly and Polly, cut off ties them up, instructing them to take the mind control serum to the police while he removes the bomb. After being reinstated and promoted by the mayor, Dan arrives and injects Barsinister with the antidote while arresting him. Underdog takes the bomb and buries it underground just before it explodes. Although he tries to escape, he is caught in the explosion, launched into space, and presumed dead. Amidst a mournful crowd, Underdog revives, leaving everyone overjoyed. Shoeshine returns to protecting Capitol City as Underdog.

Cast

Voice cast

Production

In June 2002, it was announced Spyglass Entertainment had acquired the rights to Underdog from rights holders Classic Media for a preemptive bid of over $2 million with the intent on adapting it as a live-action film for Walt Disney Pictures.

In June 2005, it was announced Spyglass and Disney were finalizing negotiations with the possibility of starting production that fall in Canada. By August of that year, Frederik Du Chau was announced to be in final negotiations to direct the film.

Release

Underdog opened on August 3, 2007, in 3,013 theaters across the United States. It earned $11,585,121 on its opening weekend, placing in third behind The Bourne Ultimatum and the second weekend of The Simpsons Movie. The film closed on December 13, 2007, having grossed $43.8 million in the US box office and $21.5 million overseas for a worldwide total of $65.3 million. The film was released on DVD and Blu-ray on December 18, 2007.

Soundtrack

The licensed soundtrack album is only available as a download on various online music stores. It contains the original score by Randy Edelman and the hip hop rendition of the Underdog theme title, "Underdog Raps", performed by then-Disney star Kyle Massey, which received airplay on Radio Disney. The Plain White T's rendition of the theme, titled "Underdog Rocks", plays at the beginning of the film but was not included on the album.

Reception

On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 16% based on 70 reviews and an average rating of 4.1/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "Underdog is a mostly forgettable adaptation that relies far too heavily on recycled material and sloppy production." On Metacritic, the film has a score of 37 out of 100 based on 16 critics, indicating "generally unfavorable reviews". Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A−" on an A+ to F scale.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Underdog". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Archived from the original on September 29, 2015. Retrieved June 4, 2017.
  2. "Underdog (2007)". BFI. Archived from the original on October 29, 2020. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
  3. "UNDERDOG (U)". British Board of Film Classification. October 15, 2007. Archived from the original on March 6, 2016. Retrieved July 21, 2015.
  4. "Underdog (2007) | Smokefree Movies". smokefreemovies.ucsf.edu. Archived from the original on August 8, 2020. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
  5. ^ "Underdog (2007)". Box Office Mojo. Internet Movie Database. December 14, 2007. Archived from the original on December 16, 2016. Retrieved July 21, 2015.
  6. "Underdog (Film)".
  7. "'Underdog' pet project for Spyglass". Variety. Archived from the original on December 18, 2024. Retrieved December 18, 2024.
  8. "'Underdog' on the way". Variety. Retrieved December 18, 2024.
  9. "Disney makes helmer 'Underdog's' top dog". Variety. Retrieved December 18, 2024.
  10. "Weekend Box Office Results for August 3-5, 2007". Box Office Mojo. Internet Movie Database. August 6, 2007. Archived from the original on July 22, 2015. Retrieved July 21, 2015.
  11. "Underdog". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. Archived from the original on April 4, 2017. Retrieved October 7, 2021. Edit this at Wikidata
  12. "Underdog". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on November 23, 2015. Retrieved July 21, 2015.
  13. Kilday, Gregg (August 7, 2007). "Uni's 'Ultimatum' accepted: No. 1 open". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on December 7, 2022. Retrieved September 27, 2021. According to Cinemascore, 49% of its audience was under 18 years of age and 55% was under 25. Females outnumbered males 57% to 43% as the film earned an overall grade of A-minus.
  14. "CinemaScore". cinemascore.com. Archived from the original on April 13, 2022. Retrieved November 14, 2016.

External links

Films directed by Frederik Du Chau
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