I remember as a kid watching the old Benji films on TV back in the 1980s. Back then they were cute harmless family films that anyone could enjoy. This new Benji, I'm not sure if it's a reboot of the franchise, or just another entry in the same series that began in 1974, is also a great family film. Though it touches on themes that would have never been considered in 1974.This is to be expected though as children are, today, exposed to and aware of, things that children in the early 70s were not. So what you have is a family film that features adorable children who remain innocent but are forced to deal with very serious situations. The new Benji, for what it's worth, is a true wonder dog; capable of doing tricks to get out of jams that would blow any expert dog trainer's mind. This is no ordinary street mutt, to say the least. Overall, I would say that this is a fantastic family film though I recommend that the parents stick around while the kids are watching because surely there will be some questions that will need to be answered.
60 Reviews
Nice family movie
wicher-bos14 April 2020
I liked this movie it has a good mix of love and suspense...
To be honest i am amazed by the Goofs people mention...
This movie is a goof.. no dog is that rational en forward thinking...
although i once owed a dog (beagle) that indeed pushed a chair close to the table to get to the meat that was there...
Two smart dogs.
collinsburns5713 June 2018
This film delivers make-believe reality where emotions count instead of slapstick stuff with goofy bad guys.
I particularly felt Benji when he was in the street on a rainy day looking in gloom early on in the film, and the mysticism at first, about his new equally intelligent girlfriend-to-be tramp hound of which who also surprises me along the course of the movie.
Beautiful!
ava7928 April 2020
These movies always make me cry. The opening scene shattered my heart completely. These babies how do they do it. People may say it's dark but this movie is amazing.
It's pure love. It will definitely make you cry but it's worth a watch. Just watch it when you're ready to shed some tears.
A good film, but wouldn't call it a family film.
simichera16 September 2018
This was a good film. Absolutely loved the dog and the family. However, it was very emotional and made cry a lot. It was a very moving but I don't think it's suitable for young children. I would say it's probably suitable for 12+. I would say family film is a bit misleading. Apart from the emotional side, I really enjoyed it
Not what i expected
debbiedew-8248210 February 2019
I sat down with my 7 year old daughter to watch this because it looked like a sweet family movie. She started crying half way through and nearly cried the entire time. I wish it would have been more fun and heartwarming but it was sad and actually pretty scary for a young child. The kidnappers should have been toned down a bit. I don't think it was neccessary to make it so intense. It is supposed to be a family movie!
No comparison
alourokis8 May 2023
Original Benji made me happy throughout movie. This one is a little strange. Original was so innocent and nice. I loved following Benji while playing "I feel love". I'm so captivated with original. New one is okay. I just love the old Benji. I love what Mr. And Mrs. Inn (owners) stood for. They were wonderful people. I remember watching Benji at the movie theatre. I remember the film stopped working. You can imagine a theatre full of a bunch of screaming, upset kids. It was Benji's love scene with Tiffany.
I enjoy watching Frank Inn's interview. Benji was such a phenomenon back in the day. So much innocence gone.
I enjoy watching Frank Inn's interview. Benji was such a phenomenon back in the day. So much innocence gone.
Little Dog Big Heart
r-327828 August 2018
I think Benji is a sad but happy movie that will make you cry and laugh!! The love that dogs have for people is never ending and this movie really brings that to life. The little dog has many big tricks to show. This was a amazing movie and I hope everyone will enjoy it!!! :)
ReMake Touches the Right Spots
alandflowers11 December 2021
My 'cook's 11 year old didn't want to see it but became engaged from the start. He repeated several phrases where it touched him, and rooted for the heroes. My 4 year old shed a few tears at the appropriate spot.so it was a success.
Horrible for young kids
kearney_philip30 June 2019
My 9 and 7 year olds both ended up crying hysterically watching scary kidnappers in evil clown masks abduct two kids in a very aggressive and scary manner. Great job for a kids movie named after a cute dog. Thanks so much for introducing the violence of the world into early childhood.
Other reviewers lighten up
stephaniecampion31 March 2018
Warning: Spoilers
I have two very very sensitive children and they loved the movie. The only "dark" scenes were the turning Benji out in the rain and when the children's mom tells Benji to leave after he takes her to the kidnappers' house. People complaining the dog didn't have enough personality, really?!! I though Benji and the other mutt he picked up to help out had plenty of personality. My kids ended the film by hugging and kissing both our pooches and in good moods.
Definitely not good for kids
jonathanbulman1 January 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Although this movie seems like a nice family movie at first later in the movie it features 2 masked men kidnap the two main characters and threaten to pay their house "a little visit." Definitely don't recommend for kids.
Sadistic and painful for children to watch
annakearneysf30 June 2019
This movie is a struggle from the very first scene. It was not written for children or with any understanding of appropriate messaging for kids. Benji is orphaned. The mother is a widow. The kids are struggling emotionally, then are are kidnapped by malevolent robbers who tie them up and yell at them in the back of their van. AWFUL throughout the rest of the film until they are barely rescued by Benji and the mother is having a breakdown. Who would write this film??????
Family instant classic
clubdan24 July 2018
Overly emotional and needlessly intense
abbywynne18 March 2018
Great movie don't listen to all the wet blankets
single_in_in1 July 2018
I grew up with Benji my kids love them. We love this.i t was so much like the original. The 1997 was awful and my kids laughed the whole movie this had feelings good actors and the best dog. Great comeback for Benji and it is a kids movie completely.it deals with real life issues not just after school special issues
Omg so sad
johnlovell-7586017 November 2018
I left six yr old alone watching this for about 20mins (ok, yes, my fault). When I came back to living room he had tears streaming down face begging me to not have him watch that movie again.
I assume perfectly fine for older kids.
I assume perfectly fine for older kids.
Not for children
ecahoon23 September 2022
Ridiculous. Kids like dogs. Kids shouldn't be exposed to having to kick a lovable dog out in the rain., Also horrendous that the kids be kidnapped and taken from their parents. I have three kids aged 8, 6, and 3. We had to twice to quell the children's crying from being scared before we had to turn it off. Does the director even have young children? Should be in jail... I get it, project danger and have the dog rescue the situation... but for there are ways to do this without such scary themes for young children.. do I shelter no, but for a 3 year old learning the world it's a bit much. Strong pass.
Cute dog though.
Cute dog though.
Did not disappoint
cait_destefano31 March 2018
I grew up loving the original Benji movie and was so excited when this one was released and could not wait to watch it with my younger children. I was not disappointed and my kids equal fell in love with Benji as much as I did.
I feel like it just took the 1974 film, and turned it into a more silly, generic "dog" movie.
landofoz-0009312 October 2023
I didn't feel a rollercoaster of emotions while watching this new Benji film. This was just a sillier, needlessly updated, and generic family "DOG" movie, everything the first Benji film managed to surpass. You weren't spending a day or so in the mind, eye, or heart of a dog, but more written and forced dialogue and scenarios.
The original series creator, writer and director, Joe Camp's son, Brandon Camp directed this Benji film, and thankfully, due to that fact, this film didn't feel as disrespectful as most remakes do, but it still wasn't any improvement over the 1974 film. That's the point of a R E M A K E right? Taking a second chance at telling an original story better or with a different perspective.
There was one new minor change worth pointing out. In the 1974 film, Paul and Cindy never discussed the recent death of their mother. That could have been changed in this one, as a reason for the kids wanting a dog to love so desperately, but they didn't really do that. Now there is some story about their father's watch... and it just seemed silly, I didn't really care that much. It felt very fake, I always knew I was watching a movie, but when I watch the first two original Benji films, or Benji the Hunted, it's like I said, you are in the mind, and heart of the dog, spending a day or more of your life with him. Much realer, meaningful, and powerful.
One thing that was very irritating were the two main kids, especially Frankie, the girl. In this one the kids just say all the dumb, unnatural, force, and cringy things you would expect kids to say in a poorly written kids movie. The suspense or the high stakes just were not being felt, the sweet and subtle dog romance wasn't meaningful... and there wasn't any diversions in this version to keep from reminding me that those elements weren't here. Unlike most of the other Benji films, specials, or series, I don't see myself revisiting this anytime soon. It's not really worth it, unless you have the attention span of 5 minutes.
The original series creator, writer and director, Joe Camp's son, Brandon Camp directed this Benji film, and thankfully, due to that fact, this film didn't feel as disrespectful as most remakes do, but it still wasn't any improvement over the 1974 film. That's the point of a R E M A K E right? Taking a second chance at telling an original story better or with a different perspective.
There was one new minor change worth pointing out. In the 1974 film, Paul and Cindy never discussed the recent death of their mother. That could have been changed in this one, as a reason for the kids wanting a dog to love so desperately, but they didn't really do that. Now there is some story about their father's watch... and it just seemed silly, I didn't really care that much. It felt very fake, I always knew I was watching a movie, but when I watch the first two original Benji films, or Benji the Hunted, it's like I said, you are in the mind, and heart of the dog, spending a day or more of your life with him. Much realer, meaningful, and powerful.
One thing that was very irritating were the two main kids, especially Frankie, the girl. In this one the kids just say all the dumb, unnatural, force, and cringy things you would expect kids to say in a poorly written kids movie. The suspense or the high stakes just were not being felt, the sweet and subtle dog romance wasn't meaningful... and there wasn't any diversions in this version to keep from reminding me that those elements weren't here. Unlike most of the other Benji films, specials, or series, I don't see myself revisiting this anytime soon. It's not really worth it, unless you have the attention span of 5 minutes.
Joyful and touching!
xin-0865519 October 2018
Disappointed
aleks-wells5 November 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Nowhere near as charming as the 1974 version which had me glued to the telly out of nowhere. I loved how in the original we learned about the dog and his routine and it was all relatively plausible. Here, Benji is too much like the missing father substitute and human more than dog. He's basically hitch hiked his way from some rural area to the urban area but he adjust extremely quickly and effectively. That's just not really realistic. There was quite a lot of gratuitous violence and sad scenes involving dogs that I found unnecessary to the story. I felt the narrative arc was forced with the explanation of how Benji came to be on his own.
The best thing in the movie are the dogs themselves as they're cute.
The best thing in the movie are the dogs themselves as they're cute.
Touching family flick
erikaoetke27 July 2019
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