Ho Hum "Hotel"

A simple, uncomplicated movie demands a simple uncomplicated fractal. Zimple Zpiral, rather like Hotel For Dogs is as simple and uncomplicated as they come. I doubt you’ll find my review any too complicated as well. Read on (unless you’ve made other plans.)
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Anyone with half a brain can figure out the entire plot of Hotel For Dogs from the title and the first scene. Andie and Bruce are cute and plucky orphans--basically good kids trapped in a really bad situation: they’re hiding their mischievous but loveable Jack Russl Terrir Friday from their dim-bulb foster parents. When they are forced to find new lodgeings for the dog they stumble into an abandoned hotel (conveniently filled with all manner of useable stuff--in surprisingly good condition too!) and set about creating a “hotel dor dogs” (populated by cute and quirky canines) assisted by some other kids. Hijinks ensue. Will Andie and Bruce find a home and acceptance? Will there be “puppy love” for people AND dogs? Will there be at least one spectacular chase and will everything end in a happy ending for all the good people? I’m sure you already know the answer.
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Emma Roberts provides cuteness in plenty and Jake T. Andrews provides the pluck. Don Cheadle (as about the only adult with anything resembling a brain) lends some much needed class to the movie. Kevin Dillon and Lisa Kudrow have the thankless task of playing wacked-out rock-and-roll Foster Parents Carl and Lois. The dogs (many of whom are shelter rescues) are all cute. (My favorite was “Lenny” the brindle Mastiff.) and there are a LOT of dogs (both pure bred and mutts) to cheer for and they are all well cast for maximum cuteness.
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Hotel For Dogs is harmless family fun: the kids will love the “Rube Goldberg” devices created to keep the “Hotel” functioning while the kids are away and dog lovers will cheer for the cute canines. Anyone over the age of eight will need to check their brain at the door otherwise the whole movie falls apart under the weight of sheer impossibility. Still, if parents are looking for a safe, fun movie to see with the kids (without losing their minds) Hotel For Dogs fills the bill quite nicely. Critical adults will probably find the movie slow in spots and should probably find something more intellectual (unless they REALLY love dogs.)
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FINAL GRADE: C+