All Dogs Go To Heaven (1 & 2)

ALL DOGS GO TO HEAVEN (PG)

D: Dan Kuenster & Gary Goldman

MGM/Goldcrest (Don Bluth, Gary Goldman & John Pomeroy)

Ireland 🇮🇪 1989

85 mins

Animated

W: David N. Weiss

Mus: Ralph Burns; Charles Strouse, T. J. Kuenster, Al Kasha, Joel Hirschhorn & Michael Lloyd

voices of: Burt Reynolds (Charlie B. Barkin), Dom DeLuise (Itchy Itchiford), Judith Barsi (Anne-Marie), Vic Tayback (Carface Caruthers)

Amiable animated movie from the late 1980's, produced by a group of filmmakers who broke away from Disney when the studio were looking to finance more live action movies over the course of the decade.

The plot concerns a dog who returns to Earth from the afterlife to seek revenge on the vicious gangster dog who had him killed. It sounds darker than it actually is, although a real life event behind the scenes of the movie is more macabre than anything on screen here.

Don Bluth's animated films were always on a much smaller budget than the Disney counterparts and it usually showed in the quality of the animation. The narrative may be a little too deep for very young children, but a decent family movie for older kids. In either case, it will take 85 minutes out of your day.

6/10

Did You Know:

Judith Barsi's final film. She and her mother were murdered by Barsi's father a year and a half before the release of the film. The ending theme, "Love Survives," is dedicated to Barsi's memory.

Award Wins & Nominations:

MILSTEAD MOVIE AWARDS:

Wins: none

Nominations: 1 (Best Animated Film)

OSCARS:

Wins: none

Nominations: none

BAFTAS

Wins: none

Nominations: none

OTHER WINS:

none

ALL DOGS GO TO HEAVEN 2 (PG)

D: Paul Sabella & Larry Leker

MGM (Paul Sabella, Jonathan Dern, Kelly Ward & Mark Young)

USA 🇺🇸 1996

82 mins

Animated

W: Arne Olson, Kelly Ward & Mark Young

Mus: Mark Watters; Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil

voices of: Charlie Sheen (Charlie B. Barkin), Dom DeLuise (Itchy Itchiford), Sheena Easton (Sasha LaFleur)

Straight to video sequel cashing in on the modest success of the original film.

Two heavenly dogs are sent to Earth to retrieve the angel Gabriel's trumpet.

Lame animation with twee songs. It sits up, wags it's tail and begs to be liked, but won't get much attention from anyone over the age of 8.

4/10

Did You Know:

A television cartoon serial followed, running from 1996-1999, with Dom DeLuise reprising his role.

Award Wins & Nominations:

MILSTEAD MOVIE AWARDS:

Wins: none

Nominations: none

OSCARS:

Wins: none

Nominations: none

BAFTAS

Wins: none

Nominations: none

OTHER WINS:

none