Underdog Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A super-powered beagle foils a dwarf’s plans to take over a city, probably because the writers ran out of creative dog puns.

🍿 Underdog: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Shoeshine’s Origin

The film introduces Shoeshine, a beagle working as a bomb-sniffing dog. Due to an accident, he’s fired. That same night, the villainous Dr. Simon Barsinister kidnaps Shoeshine, injecting him with an experimental serum. This serum grants the beagle incredible superpowers.

Becoming Underdog

Escaping from Dr. Barsinister’s lab, Shoeshine is found by Dan Unger, an ex-cop turned security guard, and his son Jack. Jack discovers Shoeshine’s powers, and they become a dynamic duo. As Underdog, Shoeshine begins protecting Capitol City, while keeping his identity a secret.

Dr. Barsinister’s Scheme

Dr. Barsinister, along with his dimwitted henchman Cad, plots to recapture Underdog and steal his DNA. They need the DNA to further their evil plans to take over the city. This creates a conflict between Underdog’s desire to be a normal dog and his responsibility to protect the city.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Underdog(voice) (Jason Lee): A beagle who gains superpowers and becomes a superhero dedicated to protecting Capitol City.
• Dr. Simon Barsinister (Peter Dinklage): An eccentric mad scientist who seeks to take over the city and is the main antagonist.
• Jack (Alex Neuberger): A teenage boy and the son of Dan Unger who befriends Underdog and helps him use his powers.
• Dan Unger (Jim Belushi): An ex-cop and widower working as a security guard, who adopts Shoeshine and provides a father figure to Jack.
• Cad (Patrick Warburton): The dim-witted henchman of Dr. Simon Barsinister who aids in his evil plans.
• Polly(voice) (Amy Adams): Jack’s friend and potential love interest and the owner of the dog Shoeshine is smitten with.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Shoeshine Boy: “Y’know, you never see dogs hurting each other for money.” – Shoeshine reflects on the difference between dogs and humans to Jack, highlighting his innocent perspective.
• Shoeshine Boy: “Touché.” – Shoeshine responds after Jack refutes the dog’s statement by saying ‘You never see people sniffing each other’s butts’
• Dr. Simon Barsinister: “I will be a god!” – Dr. Barsinister exclaims his ambitions of power after gaining the powers of Underdog.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $50,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $43,760,605
• Worldwide Gross: $65,270,477

💥 Underdog Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so Underdog isn’t winning any awards, but I have a soft spot for it. I remember watching the cartoon as a kid, and while this movie doesn’t quite capture the same magic, it’s still a fun, silly adventure. My favorite part was definitely Peter Dinklage as the villain, he just seemed to be having so much fun. It’s a great movie to watch with the family when you just want to turn your brain off and enjoy some lighthearted entertainment.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Families with young children”
  • “Dog lovers”
  • “Fans of light-hearted superhero comedies”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild cartoon violence”
  • “Some slapstick humor”
  • “Brief peril situations”

Professional Reviews

• Common Sense Media: “Aimed squarely at young children, this live-action adaptation of Underdog is harmless fun but lacks the wit and charm to engage older viewers. The plot is predictable, and the humor is often juvenile, but the movie’s heart is in the right place. It’s a decent choice if you’re looking for something simple and entertaining for the little ones.
• Empire Magazine: “Harmless fluff that will amuse younger kids, but offers little for adults beyond the occasional chuckle. Peter Dinklage and Patrick Warburton bring some much-needed energy, but the film ultimately fails to capture the spirit of the original cartoon. The special effects are adequate, but the story feels underdeveloped.
• Rotten Tomatoes: “Despite a talented cast, Underdog fails to deliver on its promise. The movie is bland, uninspired, and lacks the humor and excitement of the source material. While it may entertain very young children, most viewers will find it forgettable and unoriginal.

Audience Reactions

Kids loved the talking dog and the superhero antics.: Many agreed that the film was great for younger children and perfect for a family movie night.

Adults found the movie tolerable with some praising Dinklage’s performance.: Some adults appreciated the film for what it was—a simple, undemanding kids’ movie.

Overall Consensus: Underdog is generally considered a harmless but unremarkable kids’ movie, best enjoyed by younger audiences and dog lovers.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film is based on the 1964 cartoon series of the same name.”
• “Jason Lee, the voice of Underdog, is known for his skateboarding background and acting roles in Kevin Smith films.”
• “The film was shot in Providence, Rhode Island, chosen for its cityscape that resembled the fictional Capitol City.”

🖥️ How to Watch Underdog?

Underdog (2007) is available for purchase or rental on various platforms, including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for availability on streaming services or cable providers.

🎥 Similar Movies

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

• Cats & Dogs (2001): Features animals as secret agents with advanced technology, similar to Underdog’s superhero abilities.
• The Shaggy Dog (2006): A family comedy where a man transforms into a dog, leading to humorous situations and family bonding.
• Sky High (2005): A superhero family film geared towards a younger audience.

🛒 Underdog Related Products

• Underdog [DVD]: Own the movie that will have the kids laughing out loud as they watch Underdog saving the day with his new found superpowers.
• Underdog: Classic Cartoon Collection: Relive the nostalgia with the classic Underdog cartoons that started it all, featuring the original theme song and memorable characters.
• Underdog T-Shirt – Saving The Day One Paw At A Time: Show off your love for the superhero dog with this stylish T-shirt. Available in various sizes and colors, it features a unique design of Underdog in action.
• Underdog Superhero Action Figure: Collect the Underdog figure and create your own adventure.

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “Underdog Theme” – performed by Original Cartoon Theme

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Kyle Massey – Underdog Raps

Who knew Kyle Massey could rap? Check out this awesome clip of him spitting bars about Underdog. It’s pretty catchy, and honestly, it’s way more entertaining than I expected!

✨ Rate