Lenny the Wonder Dog


Lenny the Wonder Dog is a 2004 American comedy film about the eponymous dog, Lenny, directed by Oren Goldman from a screenplay written by Michael Winslow, and filmed on locations in Florida. The cast included many prominent actors and celebrities such as Craig Ferguson and Andy Richter as the voice of Lenny. The movie had television release in Europe and after video release received generally poor reviews.

Story

Doctor Island has invented a computer microchip he plans to use to train dogs instantly. However, his former colleague, Doctor Wagner, has other plans for the microchip: he wants to implant copies in every child in order to brainwash them to come work for him after they turn 18, and be exceedingly loyal. In the fight between Doctor Island and Doctor Wagner's henchmen, Hanky, Panky, and Doctor Island get injured and his dog Lenny is injected with the computer microchip. On the run, Lenny finds his brainpower growing. And when he finds a young boy, Zach, to be his friend and savior, Lenny discovers he can talk. Lenny, Zach, and school newspaper reporter Becky teams up with downtrodden police officer John Wyndham to defeat Dr. Wagner and his henchmen. The showdown culminates at the school concert given by Pop Star Angie, where Zach's inspiring speech and Lenny's audio powers combine to incriminate Doctor Wagner, who is arrested by the police captain, now appreciative of Officer Wyndham's talents for police-work and crime-solving.

Cast

Filmed at locations in Florida under the working title of A Dog and his Boy, the film had its first television release December 5, 2005 in Hungary as Lenny, a Csodakutya, followed by screening in Germany as Lenny, der Wunderhund, in Finland as Lenny ihmekoira, and in France as Lenny le chien parlant. Later French DVD release was as Lenny Wonderdog.
DVD releases include by North by Northwest Entertainment in 2005, Third Millennium in 2006, Boulevard Entertainment in 2007, and Peace Arch Trinity in 2008.

Reception

Lenny the Wonder Dog has received generally negative reviews. Common Sense Media panned the film giving it one star and writing "a baffling plot, cheap special effects, the repetitious chase scenes, and overall silliness make this movie almost unwatchable for adults", adding "though kids might find the visual jokes and pratfalls hilarious, the film sets the quality bar at a very low level." They also offered that Craig Ferguson's performance as the megalomaniacal Dr. Richard Wagner, "is so over-the-top it could become a career landmark."
The Dove Foundation criticized the language used in the film as non-family friendly, writing "Although this is an off-the-wall comedy that is geared toward the family, it cannot be family approved due to some language issues."
Florida real estate developer Jeff Sherrin "politely but abruptly shrugs off" any question about the film. His daughter, Stephanie Sherrin, appeared in this film as well as in Kids in America.