Once, when we went out of town, my mom, sister, and I boarded our 4 dogs at a kennel. When we returned, we vowed never to do it again, but to hire a pet-sitter instead. Our dogs, certain that they had been abandoned, did not eat for the entire four days that we were gone. The six cats, left at home, fared better, although three of them sulkily refused to come inside when my fiance' came to feed them, forcing him to chase them around the yard for a couple of hours. "Homeward Bound" made me laugh and cry, thinking of my own pets. While not really anthropomorphic, this Disney film gets inside the heads of the animals and makes you realize how much they depend upon their human friends for love, comfort, and companionship.

Loosely based on Sheila Burnford's classic novel, from which an earlier Disney film was also adapted, "Homeward Bound" tells the story of Shadow, Sassy, and Chance, who are owned by Peter, Hope, and Jamie. Shadow is an aging Golden Retriever with a close bond to young Peter. Sassy is a spoiled and snooty Siamese, pampered and adored by Hope. Chance, a bulldog, is a scatterbrained, hyperactive, half-grown pup, adopted from the shelter as a pet for little Jamie. Chance, however, having been deserted once before, is skeptical about Jamie's affection for him. His suspicions seem to be confirmed when the family has to relocate to the city for a year, leaving the pets with a friend in the country. There is no way to explain to the animals that the separation is only temporary, and Shadow, concerned that something has happened to his beloved master, decides to head home. The other two animals are unwilling that he should go alone, and become his reluctant companions on the journey.

The movie is filled with action and excitement as these three house pets encounter unexpected dangers and together endure hunger, thirst, and fatigue. Through it all, Shadow's faith in Peter never wavers, though Chance tries to convince him that no human can be trusted. "Shame on you for deserting your boy," Shadow says to him. "Dogs are supposed to be loyal, faithful, and true." Shadow proves to be all of these things, Sassy's haughtiness mellows, and Chance learns a lesson about friendship. In the end, when he sees Jamie, Chance's cynicism falls away as he races toward "his" boy. Sassy dashes toward Hope, all snootiness gone, and finally Shadow, dignified in his old age, limps up the path and back to Peter's side, the only place he wants to be...

Unabashedly sentimental and manipulative, this movie makes me cry even as I am aware of its manipulation. No, animals cannot think or reason the way they do in this film. They don't joke with and insult each other. But they can feel a kind of love for their owners, and that is what "Homeward Bound" is all about - the bond that can exist between animals and their people. It is a fine family movie, with lots of humor and fun along with the adventure and love. There are some mildly offensive or crude words but nothing serious, and a couple of intense scenes that may upset small children. I recommend this one for ages 6 and up.



Recommended: Yes