Clifford's Really Big Movie MPAA Rating: G Entertainment: +3 Content: +4

Lovable Clifford (voice of the late John Ritter), the big red dog whom children know from books and TV, makes his debut on the big screen. Clifford lives with a family on Birdwell Island and is so big that he lives in a barn that dwarfs his owners house. Emily Elizabeth (Grey DeLisle) loves her pet more than anything and is heartbroken when she wakes up one morning to find Clifford missing. Also missing are Cliffords pals: Cleo the poodle (Cree Summer), T-Bone the mutt (Kel Mitchell) and Rodrigo the Chihuahua (Wilmer Valderrama). To help his family with their big food bill, Clifford and his friends set out to join a traveling carnival featuring Amazing Animals and enter a contest with a lifetime supply of Tummy Yummies as the prize. Children six and under will delight in watching a cow on a tightrope, Shackelford the ferret (Wayne Brady) on a trapeze and Clifford becoming a famous star.

Refreshingly free of offensive material, Cliffords Really Big Movie makes many positive statements. Children who one day may feel compelled to run away because of a misunderstanding may remember the sadness Clifford causes Emily Elizabeth when he disappears. Animal trainer Larry (Judge Reinhold) only accepts strays into his Amazing Animal act, creating a diverse family of animals who get along in spite of differences. Larry is quick to praise his animals, recognizing each for special qualities. When the ferret becomes jealous of the big red dog, Larry reassures him that he will always be a star performer. His patience and compassion teaches youngsters lessons that can be applied to friends, family and pets. A brief, slightly scary scene of animals in a runaway bus on a steep mountain road ends with Clifford performing a daring rescue. This G-rated film is one for the whole family.

Preview Reviewer: Mary Draughon
Distributor: Warner Brothers