Imagine a bad dream in which Paris Hilton’s Chihuahua could think and talk. Now add some Mexican music and the hackneyed stereotypes associated with the region, and what you get roughly resembles Beverly Hills Chihuahua.
Surprisingly, though, director Raja Gosnell – whose credentials include the kid-friendly Home Alone 3 and the live-action Scooby-Doo flicks – delivers an adequate addition to Disney’s slew of talking-dog movies. With classics such as Lady and the Tramp and 101 Dalmatians in its lineage, Beverly Hills Chihuahua still comes out as a different kind of breed. Where those two Disney stalwarts relied on memorable characters and plotting, Beverly Hills Chihuahua panders more to pop-culture references and ethnic stock characters.
Drew Barrymore (Lucky You) provides the voice for Chloe, the spoiled pooch who frolics in SoCal in her leather booties, diamonds and Chanel No. 5 perfume. Immersed in luxury, Chloe barely notices her George Lopez-voiced (Swing Vote) admirer, Papi, a lowly Chihuahua who assists the hunky Latin gardener with landscaping. Providing these nauseating excesses is the hip Aunt Viv (Jamie Lee Curtis, Christmas with the Kranks), a wealthy cosmetics businesswoman.
When Aunt Viv is forced to leave Chloe in the care of her niece, Rachel, things go awry for the indulgent canine. Rachel’s negligence and excursion across the border lead to the kidnapping of Chloe, who lands in the clutches of a Mexican dog-fighting ring. What follows is a standard Disney adventure, which includes a gang of criminals with bloodthirsty mercenary dogs, a brooding yet heroic German Shepherd (Andy Garcia, Ocean’s Thirteen) and a clan of wild Chihuahuas full of pride for their “mighty breed.”
As Rachel and Papi lead a search to find Chloe and avoid the wrath of Aunt Viv, Chloe finds herself on the streets of Mexico on a quest to return home, which shapes into a journey of self-knowledge laced with mild slapstick humor, lovable banter and bilingual quips.
Barrymore, Lopez and Garcia turn in above-average performances for their characters, providing them with the vigor the cliché storyline lacks. In particular, Barrymore’s voice perfectly matches the pampered Chloe’s persona. The performances by the real-life cast are less interesting and do not surpass the expectations associated with this kind of film. The visual effects are consistent with the energy of the voice cast: The dialogue of the 200-some dogs used in the film is convincingly realistic, and the effort from the trainers to maneuver Chloe and her friends through the scenes is highly commendable.
Although the plot is standard and lacks surprises, there is a variety of comedic elements both adults and children will enjoy. Still, more could be expected from the script to enhance the entertainment. The predictability of the plot detracts from the film for older audiences; however, viewers younger than 10 will certainly be entertained. Intended for commercial success rather than artistic achievement, the film should find popularity among audiences simply for its adorable canine characters and cute dialogue.
Beverly Hills Chihuahua may not live up to its pedigree, but the film’s hardly the only new dog in town cashing in on old tricks.
sthaper@umd.edu
RATING: 3 out of 5 stars
