Scott LeBrun The title canine is an adorable Saint Bernard puppy who escapes when bumbling, idiotic criminals Harvey and Vernon (Oliver Platt and Stanley Tucci) rob a pet store of their inventory. Beethoven makes his way into the house of the Newton family, immediately endearing himself to the children (Nicholle Tom, Christopher Castile, Sarah Rose Karr) and wife / mother (Bonnie Hunt). The dad (Charles Grodin) is another story. He's not a real dog person, but reluctantly agrees to take on the pup as a pet. In your typical Hollywood fashion, havoc ensues, as the puppy grows into the destructive, messy (but also very loving) big brute that Grodin knew would result. The main plot concerns a thoroughly evil veterinarian (Dean Jones, in a hilarious performance) who collects dogs for test purposes.Watching this as an adult, you can see the flaws more clearly. Sometimes this is genuinely groan inducing, sometimes predictably silly. (You can tell that co-writer John Hughes, who uses his pseudonym of Edmond Dantes, was still getting Home Alone out of his system.) It's also easier to sympathize with George, even though Grodin brilliantly portrays him as a fastidious grump who craves order in his life. He actually makes his family get up at seven in the morning on Saturdays. Another word of advice is that this isn't totally harmless; some people, not just the younger children, might find certain scenes objectionable.Overall, though, "Beethoven" is passable family entertainment without being exceptional in any way. It may hit you where you live, however, if you're a dog person like this viewer. The perfectly cast Grodin is well supported by a cast that also includes TV stars David Duchovny and Patricia Heaton as a snotty yuppie couple, and familiar character players like O-Lan Jones, Nancy Fish, and Richard Portnow. A 10 year old Joseph Gordon-Levitt makes his film debut as a schoolchild. It's particularly fun to see Jones playing the raspy voiced bad guy. Beethoven himself is quite engaging and sweet; some of the best scenes here have him making little journeys around town.Followed by a mind boggling SIX sequels.Seven out of 10.

SnoopyStyle Beethoven is a St Bernard puppy who escapes from a couple of dog thieves (Stanley Tucci, Oliver Platt). He follows George Newton (Charles Grodin) into his house. The kids fall in love with him and his wife Alice (Bonnie Hunt) wants to keep the puppy. It's a battle between George and Beethoven for the run of the house as he grows into a giant dog. He's trying to sell a business deal to Brad (David Duchovny) and Brie (Patricia Heaton). The dog is super smart and becomes the family's best friend. Evil vet Dr. Varnick (Dean Jones) has a sideline selling dogs for evil experiments while working with the dog thieves.It's the grumpiness of Charles Grodin that makes this marginally funny. He allows the audience to laugh at him and there are some pretty good slapstick fun. It's mostly good family fare with a really evil villain. The bad guys are a little too ridiculous. That takes a little bit away from an otherwise fun family movie.

Geeky Randy Classic '90s family comedy that is a little bit cookie-cutter, but too charming to pry too much. The Newtons, an upper-middle class Californian family, take in a stray St. Bernard puppy that escaped kidnapping for cruel experimentation. Conflict involves the gentle-giant dog winning the heart of the family's strict and materialistic father (played terrifically by Grodin), topped with staying a step ahead of the evil vet (played by a clean-cut Dean Jones) who is trying to track down his escaped canine. Platt and Tucci are funny as Jones' henchmen, but their effeminacy doesn't seem fitting—would have worked better if maybe they paid a little more homage to Jasper and Horace Badun from ONE HUNRED AND ONE DALMATIONS. Bonnie Hunt couples great with Grodin, but is perhaps slightly underused. All three children are intolerable. Still enjoyable despite its flaws; its replay value can be attributed to Grodin and Dean's performances, plus the story's pet-is-a-member-of-the-family philosophy.*** (out of four)

Jacob Jefferson Beethoven**1/2 (out of 4)87 mins / UCast: Charles Grodin, Bonnie Hunt, Dean Jones, Nicholle Tom, Christopher Castile, Sarah Rose Karr, Oliver Platt, Stanley Tucci, David Duchovny, Patricia Heaton, Joseph Gordon- LevittDirector: Brian LevantPlot: A family adopt a big St Bernard dog only for it to cause complete havoc for the dad but endless fun for the kids. JJ's Verdict: Beethoven is a warm, big-hearted film for all the family but as a comedy fails to actually hit some funny moments – unless you find a massive dog running round a house and weeing everywhere funny.It centres on a young family led by a grumpy Charles Grodin, which also includes caring mother Bonnie Hunt, and dog-loving children Nicholle Tom, Christopher Castile and Sarah Rose Karr. When a small puppy appears in their house unattended, the family decides to adopt it (after some arguing) and name it Beethoven (again, after some arguing.) What they don't realise is that the dog will grow into a huge slobbering St Bernard who will steal everyone's food, wee all over the house and cause depression for Charles Grodin's George Newton. However lovable the dog is, you can't help but despair as the dog runs round causing havoc to people's lives and destroying their home. The dog is completely unrealistic, as it seems more intelligent than any human being. There is however, a nice montage of the dog causing mess to the backdrop of 'Roll Over Beethoven', which uses good camera-work from the dog's perspective. Charles Grodin puts in a fine portrayal of a strained father trying to please his family and the child actors are surprisingly good. Dean Jones, who plays Herman Varnick, an evil vet who wants to kill Beethoven, is a good cast but plays his villainous character very over the top.The constant slapstick humour and violence can be annoying, and the dog just leaves dreadful destruction in its path, but Beethoven is a warm family film with strong themes on looking at the bigger picture and doing the right thing.