ONE OF THE BEST FAMILY FILMS OF THE DECADE!
Many modern flicks for kids consist of spiritually empty images of mindless destruction, delivered at a brutally hyperactive pace. I was not suprised to learn that after all these years, director Joe Camp remains faithful to solid principles of fine storytelling.
Some parents will be amazed to discover their children, who were nursed on modern frenetic film fare, will not grow tired of the lingering camera shots contained throughout Off the Leash, as these scenes are designed to allow kids (and adult children) to use their imaginations and emotionally connect with the characters. Imagine that!
Joe Camp has always held his films to a higher standard, and Benji: Off the Leash is no exception. This film has a somewhat darker theme than the original Beji films, as the child protagonist faces the enemy within his own family (as opposed to the evil forces operating outside the family in the first films). Off the Leash will teach children values without proselytizing or adopting a condescending attitude. While viewing this movie, I got a sense of Joe Camp's deep love for independent film, and his intuitive respect for his audience!
I must admit that I'm somewhat biased in my perspective. The original Benji film and soundtrack nurtured my spirit throughout years of child abuse. Also, I currently live in Denton TX, an arts and education community with a small-town feel, where portions of the original Benji were shot.
One personal caveat: I missed hearing the soulful Charlie Rich soundtrack from the original Benji movies, but Joe Camp managed to work brief cuts from the original score into Off the Leash, complete with the often-parodied WAKKA-WAKKA guitar sound that defined the seventies And to Joe Camp... You owe for a box of Kleenex, you tearjerker!
Christopher Largen
Co-Author of Prescription Pot (New Horizon Press, 2003)
and JUNK (ENC Press, 2005)
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