Beethoven Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A grumpy dad learns to love a giant, drooling dog while also accidentally thwarting an evil veterinarian who wants to explode puppies.

🍿 Beethoven: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Puppy’s Escape

The film opens with a scene of puppies being stolen from a pet store by two inept thieves, Harvey and Vernon. Among them is a St. Bernard puppy who manages to escape their clutches during the getaway. He finds himself alone and scared, wandering the streets in search of shelter.

The Newton Family

The St. Bernard puppy wanders into the lives of the Newton family: George, Alice, Ryce, Ted, and Emily. George, the father, is initially reluctant to take in the dog, but the rest of the family quickly falls in love with him. They name him Beethoven after Emily plays Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony and the puppy barks along.

Beethoven’s Antics and Heroism

As Beethoven grows, he causes chaos and destruction around the house, much to George’s dismay. However, he also becomes a valuable member of the family, helping Ryce with her crush, scaring off bullies tormenting Ted, and saving Emily from drowning in the neighbor’s pool. Despite the mess, Beethoven’s heroism endears him to the children.

A Sinister Veterinarian

The Newtons take Beethoven to a veterinarian, Dr. Herman Varnick, for a routine check-up. Unbeknownst to them, Dr. Varnick is involved in a sinister animal experimentation scheme. He needs large dogs for his ammunition tests and sees Beethoven as the perfect candidate.

Dr. Varnick’s Deception

Dr. Varnick visits the Newton home, staging an attack to make Beethoven appear dangerous. He convinces George that Beethoven needs to be euthanized for the safety of the family. A heartbroken George reluctantly takes Beethoven to Dr. Varnick’s office, unaware of the veterinarian’s true intentions.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Beethoven (Kris): A lovable St. Bernard who becomes a member of the Newton family and helps them overcome various problems.
• George Newton (Charles Grodin): The workaholic father who initially dislikes Beethoven but eventually comes to accept him as part of the family.
• Alice Newton (Bonnie Hunt): The loving mother who quickly embraces Beethoven and supports her children’s affection for him.
• Dr. Varnick (Dean Jones): The seemingly friendly veterinarian who is secretly involved in unethical animal experimentation and seeks to harm Beethoven.
• Ryce Newton (Nicholle Tom): The eldest child who is helped by Beethoven in her quest to get a crush to notice her.
• Ted Newton (Christopher Castile): The middle child who is saved by Beethoven from bullies at school.
• Emily Newton (Sarah Rose Karr): The youngest child, saved by Beethoven, who immediately bonds with the dog and sees through Dr. Varnick’s lies.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• George: “I really don’t like our dog.” – George expresses his initial dislike for Beethoven due to the chaos he brings.
• Alice: “I really don’t like those people, George. I don’t trust them. I don’t want their money.” – Alice voices her distrust of the potential business partners, showcasing her good judgment.
• Emily: “Dog killer!” – Emily angrily accuses her father of being a ‘dog killer’ when he takes Beethoven to the vet, wrongly believing he’s having him euthanized.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $18,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $57,114,049
• Worldwide Gross: $147,214,049

💥 Beethoven Reviews

Personal Review

I remember watching ‘Beethoven’ as a kid and just being completely obsessed with that big, goofy dog. He was like the ultimate pet! Even now, it’s still fun to see him cause chaos and win over the family. The scene where he saves Emily from the pool always gets me. It’s a simple movie, but it brings back so many great memories.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Families with young children”
  • “Dog lovers”
  • “Fans of 90s family comedies”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild slapstick violence”
  • “Scenes of implied animal cruelty”
  • “Occasional rude humor”

Professional Reviews

• Chicago Sun-Times: “While predictable, ‘Beethoven’ charms with its heart and the undeniable appeal of its canine star. Grodin’s grumpy dad act is a highlight, making the predictable plotline palatable. A solid family film if you’re looking for something feel-good.
• Variety: “Beethoven isn’t groundbreaking, but it delivers enough laughs and heartwarming moments to satisfy families. Dean Jones makes a surprisingly effective villain. However, the humor can be a bit broad and predictable at times.
• New York Times: “A crowd-pleaser that tugs at the heartstrings while offering plenty of slapstick comedy. The film is carried by the adorable Beethoven, who is capable of eliciting laughter and empathy.

Audience Reactions

Beethoven’s hilarious antics and the bond he forms with the kids.: Viewers loved the dog’s charming personality and the funny situations he gets into.

The heartwarming story of a family accepting a dog into their lives.: Many appreciate the emotional connection and the themes of family and loyalty.

Overall Consensus: A classic family film that is loved for its adorable dog and heartwarming story.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Eleanor Keaton, Buster Keaton’s widow, trained the dog who played Beethoven.”
• “John Hughes co-wrote the screenplay under the pseudonym Edmond Dantes.”

🖥️ How to Watch Beethoven?

Beethoven is available for rent or purchase on various platforms, including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable and satellite options. Some streaming services may offer it as part of their subscription packages. Physical copies on DVD and Blu-ray can also be found through online retailers like Amazon.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Beethoven, you might like these similar films:

• K-9 (1989): Features a cop partnered with a canine companion, focusing on their humorous and action-packed adventures.
• Turner & Hooch (1989): Another buddy-cop film where a detective inherits a large, slobbery dog who turns his life upside down.
• The Sandlot (1993): Captures the heartwarming and nostalgic feeling of childhood friendships, similar to the bonds formed in ‘Beethoven’.
• Air Bud (1997): A feel-good sports film about a boy and his talented golden retriever, perfect for families who enjoy animal-centric stories.

🛒 Beethoven Related Products

• Beethoven (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack): The complete soundtrack to the movie, featuring classic tunes and orchestral scores.
• Beethoven: The Complete Movie Collection (DVD): Own all the Beethoven adventures in one collection. A must-have for family movie nights.
• St. Bernard Plush Toy: A cute plush of St. Bernard, inspired by the character of the movie.
• Beethoven Movie Poster: A framed poster of Beethoven, showcasing the main dog and cast of the movie.

🎧 Soundtrack

Beethoven features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Roll Over Beethoven” – performed by Paul Shaffer and The World’s Most Dangerous Band

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Beethoven (1992) – Drowning Rescue Scene (5/10) | Movieclips

Remember that scene where Beethoven saves the day? This clip is a classic, you’ve GOT to see it again. It totally solidifies him as part of the family!

Beethoven (1992) – The New Puppy Scene (1/10) | Movieclips

Ever wonder how Beethoven ended up with the Newton family? Check out this clip of the ‘meet cute’ for some adorableness! So tiny!

Beethoven’s Fifth

Did you know Beethoven had some lady problems? This silly little tune sets his story to music, LOL! It might not be 100% accurate, but it’s super catchy!

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