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.