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Firehouse Dog

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 4, age appropriate for kids over 6; suggested age 6.
  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    Equal parts dog adventure and father-son tale.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 6 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Rex discovers that he prefers helping people as a firehouse dog than entertaining them as an overindulged Hollywood star. Shane has behavioral issues, but he and the captain finally communicate and work through their father-son problems. A female firefighter is a good role model: She's just as tough as her male counterparts but can also dress up in a fancy outfit.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence & scariness:

    A few flashbacks to the day a firefighter died and a couple of intense fire scenes that might frighten younger children, even though no one ends up hurt.
  • Sexy stuff:

    The two fire captains, their kids, and their dogs all flirt with each other. Rex's original owner and manager hug and hold hands. A female firefighter wears a sexy gown that makes her colleagues stare.
  • Language:

    Basic PG curses: "suck," "crap," "jerk," "stupid," "dumb," "hell," etc.
  • Consumerism:

    Shane owns all of the following: Mac laptop, iPod, PSP, Play Station 2, Tony Hawk T-shirt, Green Day poster.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    A benefit gala includes a brief glimpse of partygoers drinking champagne.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Firehouse Dog

Parents need to know that this doggy adventure includes unexpected dramatic elements -- like Shane's fear that his fire-captain dad will die. Known for ditching school and disobeying his father, Shane has behavioral and communication issues. He and his father also both deal with grieving the recent loss of a relative. A few fiery sequences may be too intense for very young kids, even though no one gets hurt. As for canine antics, Rex is so pampered that he's even set up with three female poodles waiting on a doggy bed. But he doesn't indulge, instead running to help save people from a fire.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about how the movie deals with gender roles. When Pep shows up at the party in a dress, her friends act surprised that she looks like a girl. Is being a firefighter only for boys? Also, what messages does the movie send about society's values by contrasting Rex's Hollywood life with his adventures as a fire dog? Kids, would you rather be a Hollywood star or a firefighter? Why? Can you think of other movies that feature heroic dogs?

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Our Members Say

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See all 28 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Parent Reviewer
    I rate this title iffy for age 12 and give it 2.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate language

    Could work for older kids . . . not for younger ones . . . **language**

    I am a teacher at a Christian school and wanted to use this movie for my kids during Fire Safety Month. I started showing it in class today (not thinking anything of it, because it was labeled a "kids" video) and in the first 25 minutes of the movie the words "dog from hell," suck," and "butt crack" were used. In my opinion those words are completely inappropriate!!!

  2. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title on for age 7 and give it 3.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Good role models

    pretty good

    I'ts acctually an okay movie. It's something I picked up on the discount rack at the movie store for like 99 cents, and it was okay. Nothing innapropriate except fire scenes which might scare little kids. I may watch it again, I dont know. =) I'll give it 3 stars but if you're looking for a excellent movie job, you may want to look elswhere.

  3. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    Lives in Tennessee
    I rate this title iffy for age 8 and give it 3.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    ok movie

    I thought it was an ok movie but it had the amazing actor josh Hutchinson and it had a cute dog but it was a little on the boring side

  4. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Texas
    I rate this title iffy for age 5 and give it 1.0

    The stupidest movie ever made

    "Firehouse Dog" had to be the dumbest movie ever and in some places pushes the PG rating. The only reason I gave it a star was because there were some good undertones present despite the mostly bad ones. I couldn't believe this movie was rated for "mild crude humor" and it had a dog pooping in a pot of stew! Not to mention it's implied Rexxx (the dog) is a pimp and there's tons of product placement in this movie. If your kids want to see "Firehouse", OK. But parents be warned, it is a stupid movie.

  5. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Texas
    I rate this title on for age 5 and give it 5.0

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