Rex, Hollywood's top-grossing canine, is known for his extreme athletic abilities and diva-like demeanor. His perks package, rivaling that of any A-list celebrity, includes Kobe beef, a poodle harem, and a diamond collar. Rex's luck--and Hollywood high life--runs out while shooting a commercial; an aerial stunt goes awry, leading Rex's handlers to presume he's dead. But Rex is merely lost--alone, filthy and unrecognizable in an unfamiliar city. Chased by animal control, he takes refuge in grubby abandoned lofts, a far cry from his former luxurious lifestyle. Shane Fahey, a bright but rebellious 12-year-old, has exasperated his father Connor for the umpteenth time. A single parent and captain of the rundown inner city fire station known as Dogpatch, Connor is charged with inspiring his sad-sack company, who are still coping with the recent loss of their former captain, Connor's brother. Shane is also troubled by his uncle's death, and he's been acting out by ditching school. As Connor reprimands Shane for his unruly behavior, Dogpatch gets a call to put out a blaze tearing through the lofts where Rex has been hiding. Trapped on the loft's burning roof, Rex makes a death-defying leap and is rescued by Connor. Once they are safe on the ground, Shane is tasked with finding the mutt's owner. The pompous, fastidious Rex and the troubled, messy Shane immediately clash. Unaware of Rex's true identity, Shane becomes his reluctant new master. But his attitude changes when he discovers Rex's spectacular skills, which the firefighters put to use during rescue calls. Inspired by the dog's talent and courage, Dogpatch makes Rex its mascot. It's just the boost the company needs--and what Shane and Connor need to help bring them together. But Rex's fame has drawn the attention of his Hollywood handlers who want him back--while father and son face a deadly challenge from an unexpected source. - skip ad - Genres: Comedy and Kids/Family Running Time: 1 hr. 51 min. Release Date: April 4th, 2007 (wide) MPAA Rating: PG for sequences of action peril, some mild crude humor and language. Distributor: 20th Century Fox Distribution Cast And Credits Starring: Josh Hutcherson, Bree Turner, Bruce Greenwood, Dash Mihok, Steven Culp Directed by: Todd Holland Produced by: Michael Colleary, Mike Werb (II), Michael J. Maschio

Can anyone dislike a "Firehouse Dog"? Even one as formulaic and hackneyed as this one? It truly is hard when your hero is a boisterous and lovable red-haired Irish terrier, or to be accurate four red-haired Irish terriers, who collectively play Rexxx, a Hollywood star who finds fulfillment as a working dog in a firehouse. The appeal here doesn't reach much beyond the canine set and K-9 grades. But that's broad enough to ensure medium-range family business. And a run in pet stores.

Rexxx is a Hollywood wonder dog who stars in such films as "The Fast and the Furriest" and "Jurassic Bark." He disappears from an airplane during his last death-defying stunt and lands in the back of a truck carrying tomatoes, which makes for one messy canine. The tomato-scented dog wanders into an unnamed town where, thanks to a fire, he finds himself attached to a down-on-its-luck fire station.

The company always is the last one to any fire, the station itself is threatened with termination and its widower captain (Bruce Greenwood) is having disciplinary issues with his 12-year-old son, Shane (Josh Hutcherson). The station is called Dogpatch. Of course it is.

In a matter of days, Rexxx, now named Dewey, cleans up Shane's messy room, forces him to do his homework, whips the fire company into shape, heals the family rift and exposes a major political scandal. That is a wonder dog.

It also is a wonder that director Todd Holland doesn't trust real dog tricks. There are plenty here, but mixed in are obviously phony ones accomplished with trick shots and editing. Claire-Dee Lim, Mike Werb and Michael Colleary's screenplay maximizes these dog stunts while barely managing a credible story. They do blow a chance, though, to explore the differences between real dogs and movie dogs, which might have made for good comedy.

The human co-stars, which include Bill Nunn as the station's aggressively bad cook, Mayte Garcia as its super-athletic beauty and Teddy Sears as the put-upon rookie, have little choice but to let the movie go to the dogs as the canines upstage them at every turn. The Toronto-based production is bright and efficient without ever rising above the ordinary.