"Chihuahua" Goes To The Dogs

Today’s post begins with a fractal called Cinco De Mayo. It was the only thing I could find that had a remotely “Mexican” theme (since I needed because I’ll be reviewing Beverly Hills Chihuahua.) Ah well--on with the review!
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Mexico, Beverly Hills and Chihuahuas all get sanitized and sprinkled with Disney Magic in their latest effort Beverly Hills Chihuahua. Everything is charming and cute beyond belief--but, then again, this is a kid’s comedy and nothing akin to a “serious” movie--and on that level it succeeds. You get everything you expect except the big song-and-dance number featured so prominently in the previews--which, to my way of thinking, is a huge bummer.)
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There are few surprises in this by-the-numbers story: a Beverly Hills cosmetics mogul (played by Jamie Lee Curtis--rockin‘ her naturally gray hair) dotes on her child-substitute Chloe (voiced by Drew Barrymore.) and has a remarkably congenial relationship with her hunky Mexican Gardener (Landscaper) (played by Manolo Cardona). When “Aunt Viv” is suddenly called away she leaves Chloe in the care of irresponsible party-girl niece Rachel (Piper Parabo). An ill-advised trip to Mexico results in Chloe straying away and getting captured for the Dog Fights. While Rachel looks for the dog assisted by Gardener Sam and HIS Chihuahua Papi (voiced by George Lopez) Chloe is helped home by once-and-future Police Dog Delgado (voiced by Andy Garcia). Edward James Olmos gives voice to Diablo (the lead “bad“ dog) while Cheech Marin and Paul Rodriguez give voice to a pair of comic villains Manuel and Chico (who just happen to be a rat and iguana). Opera singer Placido Domingo gives voice to wild Chihuahua Montezuma (“call me Monte”) in an all-too brief scene. Will the good guys end up happy? Will the bad guys get their just deserts in a comical way? Will there be a sequel? Come on people! This is a Disney movie! You already know the answer!
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For what it is, Beverly Hills Chihuahua is pretty good--funny, sweet and sentimental without being too cloying. It’s a “safe” movie that the kids can enjoy without the parents completely falling asleep. True, there isn’t an original plot idea or joke in the movie (except for the excised production number--the funniest thing in the whole production) but everything works. Beverly Hills Chihuahua is far and away from being a timeless classic but it IS a pleasant afternoon diversion the whole family could enjoy.
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FINAL GRADE: B-