Dr. Dolittle: Million Dollar Mutts Review

The Dr. Dolittle series continues with "Dr. Dolittle: Million Dollar Mutts," released on DVD and Blu Ray May 19, 2009.

Dr. Dolittle is helping animals in China as his daughter, Maya, prepares to go to veterinary school. Her pet dog, Lucky, isn't too happy about the separation, but it's what she needs to do to help animals. As she's packing, the DVD orientation arrives. The years of study, training, and examinations are overwhelming to the young woman who only wants to help animals. Her mother, Lisa, reassures her that the time spent is well worth the effort for the rewards it will bring Maya.

The day is interrupted by a neighborhood emergency - a cat is stuck in a tree top. Maya quickly climbs up a ladder and begins talking to it to see if she can find out why it won't come down. It seems the cat is being bathed by its elderly owner. Maya expalins to the lady that cats aren't supposed to take baths. The owner and pet are reunited with a new understanding.

The event was captured by a television news camera and soon, Maya's gift is known to Hollywood. An agent enlists his superstar, Tiffany Monaco, to entice Maya to LA so he can get her signed and on television. Tiffany is glad to help, especially since Maya helped her with her own pet dog.

Promising her mother that she'll be gone just for the weekend, Maya heads to the bright lights and seductive glamour of Hollywood. She attends an A-list party where she meets a famous, well-adjustedm former child star, Brandon Turner. He can't believe she really talks to animals, so Maya asks his pet Sheltie for a piece of information about Brandon that only his pet pooch would know. With an embarrassing fact revealed, Brandon is convinced - and smitten with Maya's sweet personality and good looks.

Tiffany and Maya make the rounds as they try to find famous young celebrities who will participate in a television show that let's Maya help animals by listening to their problems with their owners and helping them solve them. The stars of movies, television and music are thoroughly convinced that Maya helped them and endorse the show. The unscrupulous agent persuades Maya to sign the contract without reading it, even though Maya knows she shouldn't.

To do this show and stay with her celebrity friends, Maya decides to not go to college. Her mother, of course, is shocked. But, Maya has been convinced that she can help animals without all those years of vet school. It takes a sick dog that Maya cannot help without medical training to persuade her that if she really wants to help animals as her father does, she must complete her education. That's great, but there's that nasty contract she signed that just might prevent Maya from fulfilling her dream.

Dr. Dolitle: Million Dollar Mutts really is a heart-warming family film. It conveys the importance of a complete education to reach one's highest goals. The film also emphasizes that not all child stars are spoiled or get into drugs or face tremendous problems. Brandon is a nice young man, who follows Maya's lead to college. Maya's mother has a strong, but kind, disposition, allowing her daughter a special opportunity, but is there to remind her of what is important in the long run. The film also shows that a young adult who has been raised with strong values will recognize what is important, even if they are momentarily blinded by the glitz of celebrity life.

Special Features found on both the Blu Ray Disc and Standard DVD include:

Special features include:
Tiffany’s Tricked Out Cell Phone featurette
No Business Like Show Business featurette
Star Tours: Dolittle Style featurette

DVD Special Features:
Presented in widescreen (1.78:1 ratio) format, English, Spanish and French Dolby Surround 5.1 with English and Spanish subtitles.

Blu-Ray Special Features:
The feature film is presented in widescreen format (1.78:1
aspect ratio) with English 5.1 DTS HD Master Audio and Spanish and French 5.1 Dolby Digital with English, Spanish, French, Cantonese, Mandarin, Korean and Thai subtitles.

Dr. Dolittle: Million Dollar Mutts

Dr. Dolittle: Million Dollar Mutts [Blu-ray]

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Cast
Kyla Pratt... Maya Dolittle
Karen Holness... Lisa Dolittle
Tegan Moss... Tiffany Monaco
Brandon Jay McLaren... Brandon Turner
Jason Bryden... Rick Beverley

Crew
Director: Alex Zamm
Writers: Steve Altiere
Daniel Altiere