The film takes place on "Birdwell Island" (the name of which is inspired by Norman Bridwell, the author of the books), and follows the titular dog Clifford, who decides to join a traveling animal show that will provide the winner with a lifetime supply of the dog food, after he mistakenly assumes his owners are spending too much on his dog food.
It is one of only two separate theatrically released films based on a PBS children's property (including Barney's Great Adventure), excluding the two films based on Sesame Street. Serving as John Ritter's final theatrical film role prior to his death on September 11, 2003, the film was dedicated to his memory, and also serves as the series finale for the television series.
The film grossed $3.3 million at the box office, and received mixed overall critical reviews.[2]
Plot
In Birdwell Island, Emily Elizabeth Howard calls for Clifford, who rushes toward her. Emily Elizabeth says that they are going to be late for a carnival, while Clifford races away with her riding on him.
Clifford visits the carnival with Emily Elizabeth and her friends, Charley, Jetta, and Clifford's friends, Cleo, and T-Bone. Clifford, Cleo, and T-Bone are amazed by "Larry's Amazing Animals," an animal act consisting of Shackelford the High Flying Ferret, Dorothy the High Wire Heifer aka Daring Cow, Dirk the Extreme Dachshund, and Rodrigo, Chihuahua of Steel. However, despite the animals' best efforts, their show is failing due to their failed acts, but all remain oblivious of the truth as their owner and the show's host, Larry Gablegobble, expresses his pride towards their efforts. After the show, Larry tells the carnival owner, P.T., that the only way for their performances to continue is to win an upcoming Tummy Yummies Animal Talent Contest in three weeks, promising fame, fortune, and a lifetime supply of Tummy Yummies. When the trio go to collect their autographs, Shackleford attempts to convince them to join the act, believing Clifford's size and appearance would help revive the group's popularity, but they decline, unwilling to leave their owners.
The next day, Clifford overhears Mr. and Mrs. Howard talking with Mr. Bleakman. He mistakenly believes he is financially burdening his family with his expensive costs of food and decides to join the Amazing Animals in the hopes of winning food to cover his costs, with T-Bone and Cleo joining him, and promises Emily Elizabeth while she sleeps that he will return. After crossing a seaway and escaping a town afraid of Clifford, the trio finds Larry's animals. Since Larry cannot accept animals with owners, Cleo disposes their pet tags, claiming they are to trick dogcatchers and put them in a crate for safe keeping. Larry welcomes the trio and during their next performance, Clifford saves the show, receiving a round of applause. Clifford soon begins to benefit the show as he helps the others improve their acts, such as helping Dorothy conquer her acrophobia. He becomes the star of the show, much to Shackleford's jealousy, believing Clifford has replaced him, and P.T. is proud of Larry. Meanwhile, Emily Elizabeth, Mrs. Diller, and Sheriff Lewis discover their dogs ran away.
After three weeks of success, Larry's Amazing Animals receives entry for the Tummy Yummies contest that will perform the next night. However, Shackleford reveals his jealousy towards Clifford, believing they are all better off without him. Hurt by Shackleford's words and missing Emily Elizabeth, Clifford decides to leave early and return home to Birdwell Island. Cleo and T-Bone, however, convince Clifford to return, and save Larry and the others from their broken-down bus, making it to the contest. Larry's Amazing Animals wins, but the CEO of the Tummy Yummies corporation, George C. Wolfsbottom, tricks Larry into signing a contract giving him full custody of Clifford, and kidnaps him for his spoiled daughter Madison by her request.
At the hotel, Shackleford tries to convince everyone Clifford just wanted the Tummy Yummies, prompting Cleo to expose his true intentions. Shackleford realizes he was wrong about him and shows the tags to Larry, who contacts Emily Elizabeth. Larry drives the animals to Mr. Wolfsbottom's mansion. While Larry talks to a security guard, the animals infiltrate the mansion and Shackleford breaks Clifford out of the cage, apologizing for being jealous, but T-Bone accidentally sets off the alarm and Mr. Wolfsbottom's security guards try to capture the animals. The group escapes from the guards, and Emily Elizabeth arrives in time to claim Clifford before Mr. Wolfsbottom can get him. At first, Mr. Wolfsbottom refuses to let her keep Clifford, showing his contract, but Madison, having a change of heart, convinces her father to release Clifford upon learning about his real owner. Mr. Wolfsbottom complies and allows Clifford to go to Birdwell Island and even provides Clifford the lifetime supply of Tummy Yummies as promised in the contest and to apologize for his actions, solving the problem the Howards were dealing with earlier. The trio bid the Amazing Animals a farewell and Clifford reconciles with Shackleford. Clifford, Emily Elizabeth, Cleo and T-Bone then return to Birdwell Island.
Voice cast
John Ritter as Clifford, an enormous red Labrador Retriever who joins a travelling animal show named "Larry's Amazing Animals" along with his friends, T-Bone and Cleo.
Cam Clarke as Mark Howard, Emily Elizabeth's father.
Earl Boen as Horace Bleakman, Emily Elizabeth's neighbor.
Ernie Hudson as P.T., the carnival owner, and another friend of Larry.
Production
The film marked John Ritter's last film role before his death on September 11, 2003, several months before its theatrical release, though he had fully completed his voice work for the project during the summer hiatus from his sitcom 8 Simple Rules. The film was dedicated in his memory.
Jody Gray composed the score for the film. However, the soundtrack album was has never been released.
Songs from soundtrack
"Until I Go" – Kyle Gordon
"Party Time" – Jody Gray
"I'm Not Scared Anymore" – Renee Cologne
"You and Me" – Jody Gray
"Big Time" – Jody Gray
"Larry's Amazing Animals" – Jody Gray
"Until I Go" (Reprise) – Laura Berman
"Home Where I Belong" – Romaine Jones
Reception
The film received mixed reviews. On review aggregation website, Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 53% based on 32 reviews, with an average rating of 5.7/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "While a dull affair for parents, Clifford's Really Big Movie should charm its intended preschool audience."[6] On Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating to on reviews, the film has a score of 49 out of 100, based on 15 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[7]
Anna Smith of Empire, gave the film a three out of five stars, stating: "The humour, though, is aimed squarely at the under-tens, so the rest of us will find it a bit bland. Bland, but wholesome - in a very inoffensive, family-friendly way."[8]Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian, gave the film a two out of five stars, saying: "Easygoing and amiable, it is none the less dull compared to the brilliant new players on the scene. The way to challenge them is with an extra-good script and storyline, and this one doesn't exactly stand out."[9] Solan Freer of RadioTimes, also gave the film a two out of five stars, saying: "With its unsophisticated plot and flat, simplistic animation, this is an undemanding film with no appeal beyond its target audience. Entirely unsuitable for the cinema, its best watched at home, where little ones will most appreciate its bouncy, sunny style and gaudy block colouring."[10] Nell Minow of Common Sense Media gave the film a 3 out of 5 stars, stating "Charming and harmless. Nap while your kid enjoys."[11]
During its opening weekend, the film made back $662,152 at the domestic box office in a limited release of 471 theaters. Ultimately, the film finished its run with $2,922,354 at the domestic box office and $333,072 internationally, for a combined total of $3,255,426.[12]
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