This movie... is a movie.

Koumiho

I'll say it right now: the only reason I watched this movie was because the chihuahua in this movie has the same name and breed as my own little dog. Was the movie worth it? I can't answer that properly, but at least I know what it's about now, right?

Let me put it this way: I recently watched this movie on my birthday. There are better things you can do on your birthday. This movie isn't horrible, but it certainly is "eh". A solid 5/10.

Plot: White family checks out a house that belonged to their however-many-greats-great aunt or grandmother or whatever. This is where the chihuahua comes in. Sophie was a silver-screen starlet of the early silent era, or a vaudeville performer, I can't remember. She haunts the house, because she's a dog ghost. I've never heard that one before. Really. Shenanigans ensure as Sophie tries to get them out. Not too big a part though, because she rather warms up to the family with the help of their ginormous love struck golden retriever, Homer.

In general, I think this plot needs some polishing. First the family moves in, then Sophie the ghost chihuahua wants them out, then she falls in love with Homer the family dog, and then the family wants to sell the house. Then the kids pull pranks to keep the house from being sold. Then it's a matter of revealing Sophie to the parents. It's here to there. By the way, at one point it's revealed that Sophie's still there bc she was waiting on her old owners, who died in the titanic. This movie is a bit clumsy when it comes to moving from one part to the next. That titanic thing is more of a detail then a plot point. I think there isn't enough flow.

I gotta mention though, when the kids try to prank some (mildly haughty) lady out of buying the house, they're absolutely awful. One of their plans is boiling broccoli to make the house smell bad. They insult the lady so much, and she's just trying to buy a house, it's almost funny. Anyways, absolutely none of their pranks discourage her from the house, she's just annoyed. But the thing that DOES drive her away is seeing the ghost chihuahua. That's kinda funny. This is where the title comes from I guess, when she meets the parents and says something like "I hate you guys and your dog and your chihuahua too!" Still a weird title.

Acting: The acting ranges from "eh" to ok. If I had to pick, the best actor is Mr. Real Estate guy. He's ok. The family is the worst though. It's not hilariously bad, or painstakingly bad, just "eh" kind of bad. Needs work. The voice actors for the two dogs, too. Needs work.

Characters: eh. Nothing new or too interesting. Just eh. The family acts like a cross between a Disney Chanel family and a stock photo. Trying to be quirky or a happy family at times, but lukewarm. The dogs are eh as well. There are moments where it's basically just everyone bonding. It endears and moves the plot along as much as you'd expect.

Dialogue: there are some awfully cheesy lines here. These guys are trying to be quirky too much! Although there were two parts that made me chuckle.

The first one is when white dad guy goes to the front door in the morning. He begins with something like "aw, the nearest Starbucks is miles from here". He looks down to see a pile of suitcases. His next words are "What in tarnation?"

The next one is when the family discovers that the bathtub has been used (by Sophie the ghost) and they're wondering who used it. The guy starts humming the twilight zone theme. Kinda funny stuff.

Final thoughts: This movie honestly could've been better as a Disney Chanel original movie. Better production value, better acting, better script sorely needed. At the end of the day, there are better movies I could've watched on my birthday of all days. I wouldn't recommend this movie per say, unless you want to spend an hour and twenty minutes doing something.

But I'll appreciate this movie for what it is. (especially because the end credits said the movie was dedicated to a dead guy who always wanted to make a family friendly film and now I feel bad for ragging on this movie) This movie tried. It made a so-so way to spend some time, and I can appreciate the effort. It isn't bad, boring, mindless drivel. In the end, it's a movie. A movie about a ghost chihuahua. Is it a good movie? Not what comes to mind. Bad movie? No way. It is an ok movie. It could be worse. And at least I satisfied my burning curiosity to know what this movie about a chihuahua named Sophie could be about. This movie is the perfect 5/10. Somewhat better then what I expected from seeing that sparkly cover, I must say. A real "eh" with a shrug thrown in. Plus I love chihuahuas. 5.1/10.

score 5/10

Koumiho 12 August 2019

Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw5056146/