Without wandering far from the tried-and-true formula, director Brandon Camp (son of "Benji" creator Joe Camp) brings a measure of style and competence to the project that the franchise has never seen.

This 2018 release feels like it arrived fresh from 1974, and that is what makes it a delight.

Pretty underwhelming, a perfunctory kids-and-their-dog caper that despite running less than 90 minutes feels stretched to its limits.

Updated dog tale has realistic peril and violence.