Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Two dogs and a cat think their humans are gone forever, so they decide to walk across California, fight a mountain lion, and then one of the dogs almost dies in a hole; it’s basically ‘The Oregon Trail’ but with more fur.

🍿 Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Setting the Stage: A Family Move

The Seaver/Burnford family is preparing to move from their rural home to San Francisco. As they get ready, their three beloved pets – Shadow, an aging Golden Retriever; Chance, a boisterous American Bulldog puppy; and Sassy, a sassy Himalayan cat – are left in the care of a friend on a ranch during the transition.

The Journey Begins: A Misunderstanding

After a few days, the animals grow concerned about their family’s absence. Misinterpreting the situation, they believe they have been abandoned and decide to embark on a journey to find their way back home. Shadow, driven by his loyalty to Peter, takes the lead, with Sassy and a reluctant Chance following behind.

Facing Perils and Discovering Friendship

The journey through the Sierra Nevada mountains is fraught with danger. The trio faces treacherous terrain, encounters with wildlife like bears and mountain lions, and tests their own limits. Along the way, Chance learns the value of loyalty and friendship, while Sassy begrudgingly acknowledges the dogs’ better qualities. Their bond deepens as they rely on each other to survive.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Chance (Michael J. Fox): A fun-loving and energetic American bulldog pup who learns the value of home and family during a perilous journey.
• Sassy (Sally Field): A sassy and pampered Himalayan cat who reluctantly joins the journey, providing comedic relief and unexpected bravery.
• Shadow (Don Ameche): An aging and wise Golden Retriever who leads the group, driven by loyalty and love for his boy, Peter.
• Peter Burnford (Benj Thall): The devoted owner of Shadow, who desperately misses his loyal companion and hopes for his safe return.
• Jamie Seaver (Kevin Chevalia): Chance’s owner, a young boy who learns about responsibility and the importance of his bond with his pet.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Shadow: “We didn’t ask for this job. It’s built in.” – Shadow explains to Chance that the inherent loyalty of dogs is why they are man’s best friend.
• Chance: “Porcupine! Porcupine! It bit me with its butt!” – Chance’s exclamation after ignoring warnings and getting a face full of quills from a porcupine.
• Sassy: “Cats rule, dogs drool!” – Sassy’s declaration of feline superiority, a recurring joke throughout the movie.
• Shadow: “I’ve taught you everything you needed to know, now all you need to learn is how to say goodbye.” – Shadow’s heartbreaking line to Chance when he’s trapped in the pit, believing he’s too old and injured to go on.

💰Box Office

• Budget: N/A
• Domestic Gross: $41,833,324
• Worldwide Gross: $41,833,324

💥 Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey Reviews

Personal Review

I absolutely loved ‘Homeward Bound’ as a kid! The voices of Chance, Sassy, and Shadow were so perfect, and the animals were incredibly well-trained. The scene where Shadow falls into the pit still gets me choked up, even now. The scenery is gorgeous, and the story is just so heartwarming. I’d highly recommend this movie to any animal lover.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Animal lovers”
  • “Families with children”
  • “Fans of adventure stories”
  • “Those seeking a heartwarming and emotional film”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Scenes of peril for animals”
  • “Emotional moments related to separation and loss”
  • “Some mild cartoon violence”

Professional Reviews

• Common Sense Media: “A heartwarming family adventure with talking animals on an epic journey. Strong themes of loyalty and friendship. Some mildly scary scenes, but overall a great pick for family movie night. The voice acting is top-notch.
• AllMovie: “This remake of Disney’s ‘The Incredible Journey’ adds talking animals, creating a fun and emotional experience. While the plot is simple, the voice acting and beautiful scenery make it a worthwhile watch. A solid choice for families seeking a feel-good movie.

Audience Reactions

The voice acting is phenomenal, especially Michael J. Fox as Chance, bringing a lot of humor and energy.: Viewers of all ages appreciate the heartwarming story and the beautiful scenery, making it a classic family film.

The scene where Shadow reunites with Peter always brings tears to my eyes, showcasing the strong bond between humans and their pets.: A tear-jerker ending with reunions and heartfelt moments that leave a lasting emotional impact.

Overall Consensus: A beloved family film celebrated for its heartwarming story, excellent voice acting, and beautiful scenery. Despite some mildly scary moments, it is considered a classic and a must-watch for animal lovers.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The movie is a remake of the 1963 film ‘The Incredible Journey’, also a Disney production, which was based on the novel of the same name by Sheila Burnford.”
• “Animal trainers used various techniques to get the animals to perform, including using hand signals, clickers, and strategically placed treats just off-camera.”
• “The Sierra Nevada mountains provided a stunning backdrop, but also presented challenges for filming, requiring careful planning and consideration for the animals’ safety.”

🖥️ How to Watch Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey?

Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey is available to rent or purchase on various platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. Check your local listings for availability on cable and satellite services.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey, you might like these similar films:

• The Incredible Journey (1963): The original film adaptation of Sheila Burnford’s novel, offering a more straightforward, less anthropomorphic take on the same story.
• Milo and Otis (1986): Features an adventurous cat and dog duo navigating the wilderness together, focusing on their friendship and survival.
• Air Bud (1997): Another Disney film focused on a pet, this time a golden retriever who plays basketball, emphasizing the bond between a child and their animal companion.
• A Dog’s Way Home (2019): A more modern take on a similar premise, featuring a dog embarking on a long and perilous journey to reunite with its owner.

🛒 Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey Related Products

• Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey (Blu-ray): Experience the classic adventure in stunning high definition. Perfect for reliving nostalgic memories and sharing with a new generation.
• Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey (Original Soundtrack CD): Relive the movie’s emotional moments with the original soundtrack by Bruce Broughton. A beautiful score that captures the heart of the film.
• Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey Movie Poster: Classic movie poster featuring Chance, Sassy, and Shadow. A perfect addition to any movie room or children’s bedroom. High-quality print on durable paper.
• Homeward Bound Chance Plush Toy: This plush toy is extremely cute and captures all of the details and cuteness of Chance. Perfect for any pet or Homeward Bound lover.

🎧 Soundtrack

Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Main Title” – performed by Bruce Broughton
• “Witch Doctor” – performed by Ross Bagdasarian

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

crunchy mom movie night

Ever wonder how a classic like ‘Homeward Bound’ plays with today’s kids? This mom shares a hilarious movie night experience with her kids that you won’t want to miss!

Pug Watching Television

Want to see a pug get totally invested in ‘Homeward Bound’? This adorable video captures a dog reacting to the movie’s ending, and it’s pure gold.

“Homeward Bound” Tribute Video

Feeling nostalgic for ‘Homeward Bound’? Check out this sweet tribute video made by a fan. It’ll definitely give you all the feels!

Homeward Bound (1993) | Review

Considering revisiting Homeward Bound? Before you do, check out this in-depth review. It will make you think about the movie in new light!

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