Rover Dangerfield

Rover Dangerfield, an animated musical film released in 1991, is a memorable venture featuring an impressive cast. The iconic Rodney Dangerfield provides the voiceover for the eponymous hero, Rover, along with scripting the movie's dialogues. Other notable voice actors include Susan Boyd and Ronnie Schell, who successfully breathe life into the animated characters with great skill and expressiveness.

The story revolves around Rover, a saucy and sharp-witted pooch hailing from Las Vegas. Being a casino-loving big city dog, Rover's life is chock-full of good times, high-stakes gambles, and showgirls. Beyond the glitz and glamour, Rover's world is dominated by fast cars and late nights, influenced by his owner, a showgirl, Connie. Connie loves Rover and pampers him, and his life is full of spoils that come with being the pet of a Las Vegas showgirl - living a life many would dream of.

Yet, Rover's life takes a sudden turn when his owner's boyfriend, Rocky, becomes the catalyst for an unforeseen journey. Rocky despises Rover and, in a shocking turn of events, manages to toss Rover into Hoover Dam's cargo hold. Rover finds himself carried away from his luxurious life in the city, and he lands up in a farm in the rustic countryside.

Now in unfamiliar territory, Rover quickly finds that the farm lifestyle is quite unlike the noisy neon lights of Las Vegas. Facing culture shock and battling difficulties in adjusting to this new way of life, Rover embarks on a journey of survival. Dangerfield's signature humor and quirks shine through, as his character, Rover, tries to navigate the world of farm animals, discovering roosters that crow at the sunrise, dog-eating wolves, and even a charming collie that steals his heart.

As Rover makes his amusing attempts to stay afloat in his new environment, he also tries to keep his spirit alive, showcasing an unusual yet entertaining blend of city slickness with country simplicity. His witticisms, impudence, nifty one-liners, coupled with his undeniable charm, make him an interesting and memorable character. On this farm, Rover's experiences range from the hilarious to the emotional, making the film a heartwarming blend of comedy and sentimentality.

The film also features an original soundtrack with catchy tunes that align well with the storyline. The characters aren't just engaging to attend to - they also break into songs now and then, which helps to convey the film's various moods and situations in a melodic way.

While the movie's primary aim seems to be generating hearty laughter, it’s not devoid of touching moments that remind the audience that kindness, adaptability, and optimism can help overcome even the most challenging circumstances. Underlying the wisecracks and jokes is a story about the search for home, belonging, and acceptance, which gives it heart alongside humor.

Adding to its charm is the impressive animation. For a movie from the early '90s, Rover Dangerfield is a remarkable feat in terms of its animation quality, as it showcases the characters and their antics in vibrant, charming detail. The film's backdrop changes from the glimmering city lights of Las Vegas to the simple, rural beauty of the countryside, capturing the essence of both wonderfully.

Rover Dangerfield capsizes the traditional "child-behind-an-animal-movie" concept with its mature humor and themes and introduces a dog protagonist with the adult voice and quirky wisdom of Rodney Dangerfield. It's certainly no kids' movie. Instead, it's a love letter to fans of Rodney Dangerfield and his unique brand of humor.

The warmth and humor of Rover Dangerfield hold up over time, making it an excellent choice for a family movie night or a nostalgic re-watch. Through all its ups and downs, Rover’s audacious adventures remind the audience that retaining one’s zest for life is crucial, making the movie an engaging and heartwarming watch. Besides, Rodney Dangerfield fans won't miss out on the chance to see their favorite comedian’s humor transposed onto an animated dog, making this a must-watch for them.