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Mr. Bridwell, who runs an animal rescue tent at a [[carnival]], that his sister will never allow it and that dogs are prohibited in her apartment building. When Emily-Elizabeth gets home from school that day, after being bullied once again, she finds that the puppy has stowed away in her backpack and names him Clifford. Emily-Elizabeth tries to convince Casey to let her keep him, and he allows her to keep Clifford only for one night. Emily-Elizabeth, heartbroken, tearfully wishes for Clifford to be big and strong, and her tears trickle onto his nose as she falls asleep with him.
Mr. Bridwell, who runs an animal rescue tent at a [[carnival]], that his sister will never allow it and that dogs are prohibited in her apartment building. When Emily-Elizabeth gets home from school that day, after being bullied once again, she finds that the puppy has stowed away in her backpack and names him Clifford. Emily-Elizabeth tries to convince Casey to let her keep him, and he allows her to keep Clifford only for one night. Emily-Elizabeth, heartbroken, tearfully wishes for Clifford to be big and strong, and her tears trickle onto his nose as she falls asleep with him.


The next day she wakes up to realize Clifford is gigantic in size. Casey also learns about this and they both attempt to hide him from the building's superintendent Mr. Packard as he fixes the dishwasher. They take him to the vet, thinking he is possibly ill while attempting to hide him from everyone. This fails dramatically since Clifford's dog instincts cause him to chase and play with a man in an inflatable bubble, seeing it as a game of fetch. This attracts large crowds and the word of his existence quickly spreads online.
The next day, Emily-Elizabeth wakes up to realize Clifford is gigantic in size. Casey also learns about this and they both attempt to hide him from the building's superintendent Mr. Packard as he fixes the dishwasher. They take him to the vet, thinking he is possibly ill while attempting to hide him from everyone. This fails dramatically since Clifford's dog instincts cause him to chase and play with a man in an inflatable bubble, seeing it as a game of fetch. This attracts large crowds and the word of his existence quickly spreads online.


Zack Tieran, the owner of a [[biotechnology]] company named Lyfegro, discovers Clifford on social media. He lies to the police that it is his dog and has them search for Clifford. Emily-Elizabeth and Casey are evicted by Mr. Packard because of Clifford. After being chased by the police and Lyfegro guards, they take shelter in Owen's lavish apartment. Casey then makes a deal with Emily-Elizabeth that if they find Mr. Bridwell and take his advice, he will allow her to keep him. But if he is unable to help, then they have to send him away to [[Shanghai]] by boat. They race to the hospital only to find Bridwell's empty bed, and a patient sitting next to them who tells that Mr. Bridwell died. Clifford is then sent away by a boat arranged by Owen's father, as Emily-Elizabeth tearfully says goodbye to him.
Zack Tieran, the owner of a [[biotechnology]] company named Lyfegro, discovers Clifford on social media. He lies to the police that it is his dog and has them search for Clifford. Emily-Elizabeth and Casey are evicted by Mr. Packard because of Clifford. After being chased by the police and Lyfegro guards, they take shelter in Owen's lavish apartment. Casey then makes a deal with Emily-Elizabeth that if they find Mr. Bridwell and take his advice, he will allow her to keep him. But if he is unable to help, then they have to send him away to [[Shanghai]] by boat. They race to the hospital only to find Bridwell's empty bed, and a patient sitting next to them who tells that Mr. Bridwell died. Clifford is then sent away by a boat arranged by Owen's father, as Emily-Elizabeth tearfully says goodbye to him.
Line 71: Line 71:
The next day, Clifford is captured on the ship and sent to Lyfegro. They learn Mr. Bridwell did not die, but that the information they received at the hospital was false. They try to save Clifford from being operated on at Lyfegro, aided by friends from their neighborhood. They break into Lifegro and save Clifford as they flee in Casey's truck with him, and race to Mr. Bridwell while being pursued by the police and Lyfegro‘s security guards. They eventually reach Mr. Bridwell at a carnival at [[Manhattan Bridge]] Park.
The next day, Clifford is captured on the ship and sent to Lyfegro. They learn Mr. Bridwell did not die, but that the information they received at the hospital was false. They try to save Clifford from being operated on at Lyfegro, aided by friends from their neighborhood. They break into Lifegro and save Clifford as they flee in Casey's truck with him, and race to Mr. Bridwell while being pursued by the police and Lyfegro‘s security guards. They eventually reach Mr. Bridwell at a carnival at [[Manhattan Bridge]] Park.


A large crowd gathers as she desperately asks him to help, and Mr. Bridwell then tells her that the only way to solve her problem is by standing up for herself and for Clifford and that being different is a gift. Emily-Elizabeth then gives a speech to the crowd, explaining to everyone that love is more important than anything, and they should ignore their differences. However, Zack intervenes and forces the police to see who the owner is by checking an ID chip he had implanted. Through a bit of magic, the chip identifies Emily-Elizabeth as Clifford's rightful owner, and Zack is arrested for fraud and theft. The whole crowd attempts to take a picture with Clifford in celebration, but then Clifford sees another giant ball and chases it with Casey riding on his back.
A large crowd gathers as Emily-Elizabeth desperately asks Mr. Bridwell to help, and he tells her that the only way to solve her problem is by standing up for herself and for Clifford and that being different is a gift. Emily-Elizabeth then gives a speech to the crowd, explaining to everyone that love is more important than anything, and they should ignore their differences. However, Zack intervenes and forces the police to see who the owner is by checking an ID chip he had implanted. Through a bit of magic, the chip identifies Emily-Elizabeth as Clifford's rightful owner, and Zack is arrested for fraud and theft. The whole crowd attempts to take a picture with Clifford in celebration, but then Clifford sees another giant ball and chases it with Casey riding on his back.


Emily-Elizabeth, Casey, and her mother are accepted back into their apartment by Mr. Packard and Clifford is now loved by everyone.
Emily-Elizabeth, Casey, and her mother are accepted back into their apartment by Mr. Packard and Clifford is now loved by everyone.

Revision as of 22:17, 12 November 2021

This article is about the 2021 film. For the 2004 animated film, see Clifford's Really Big Movie.
Clifford the Big Red Dog
Official release poster
Directed byWalt Becker
Screenplay by
  • Jay Scherick
  • David Ronn
  • Blaise Hemingway
Story by
  • Justin Malen
  • Ellen Rapoport
Based onClifford the Big Red Dog
by Norman Bridwell
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyPeter Lyons Collister
Edited bySabrina Plisco
Music byJohn Debney
Production
companies
Distributed by
  • Paramount Pictures
  • Entertainment One[2]
    • (Canada and United Kingdom)[1]
Release dates
  • August 26, 2021 (2021-08-26) (CinemaCon)[3]
  • November 10, 2021 (2021-11-10) (United States)
Running time
96 minutes[4]
Countries
  • Canada
  • United States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$5.6 million[5]

Clifford the Big Red Dog is a 2021 live action/computer animation family fantasy comedy film directed by Walt Becker based on the children's book series of the same name by Norman Bridwell[6][7] that stars Jack Whitehall, Darby Camp, Tony Hale, Sienna Guillory, David Alan Grier, Russell Wong, Kenan Thompson, and John Cleese.[8]

The film was screened unannounced on August 26, 2021, during the 2021 CinemaCon event in Los Angeles. It was initially scheduled to premiere at the 2021 Toronto International Film Festival in September 2021, to be followed by a theatrical release in the United States on September 17 after being delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic by Paramount Pictures, but was ultimately pulled from the festival and had its release date removed from Paramount's schedule due to the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant. The film was ultimately simultaneously released theatrically and digitally on Paramount+ on November 10, 2021 in the United States,[9] and received mixed reviews from critics. It has grossed over $5 million dollars.

The film is dedicated to the memory of Richard Robinson, the former CEO of the Scholastic company, who died on June 5, 2021.

Plot

A middle schooler in New York City, Emily-Elizabeth Howard, is bullied by her peers at a fancy private school and lives with her mother Maggie. Her only friend is the geeky student, Owen Yu. She is left in the hands of her homeless and irresponsible uncle Casey while Maggie goes to Chicago for a business trip.

Mr. Bridwell, who runs an animal rescue tent at a carnival, that his sister will never allow it and that dogs are prohibited in her apartment building. When Emily-Elizabeth gets home from school that day, after being bullied once again, she finds that the puppy has stowed away in her backpack and names him Clifford. Emily-Elizabeth tries to convince Casey to let her keep him, and he allows her to keep Clifford only for one night. Emily-Elizabeth, heartbroken, tearfully wishes for Clifford to be big and strong, and her tears trickle onto his nose as she falls asleep with him.

The next day, Emily-Elizabeth wakes up to realize Clifford is gigantic in size. Casey also learns about this and they both attempt to hide him from the building's superintendent Mr. Packard as he fixes the dishwasher. They take him to the vet, thinking he is possibly ill while attempting to hide him from everyone. This fails dramatically since Clifford's dog instincts cause him to chase and play with a man in an inflatable bubble, seeing it as a game of fetch. This attracts large crowds and the word of his existence quickly spreads online.

Zack Tieran, the owner of a biotechnology company named Lyfegro, discovers Clifford on social media. He lies to the police that it is his dog and has them search for Clifford. Emily-Elizabeth and Casey are evicted by Mr. Packard because of Clifford. After being chased by the police and Lyfegro guards, they take shelter in Owen's lavish apartment. Casey then makes a deal with Emily-Elizabeth that if they find Mr. Bridwell and take his advice, he will allow her to keep him. But if he is unable to help, then they have to send him away to Shanghai by boat. They race to the hospital only to find Bridwell's empty bed, and a patient sitting next to them who tells that Mr. Bridwell died. Clifford is then sent away by a boat arranged by Owen's father, as Emily-Elizabeth tearfully says goodbye to him.

The next day, Clifford is captured on the ship and sent to Lyfegro. They learn Mr. Bridwell did not die, but that the information they received at the hospital was false. They try to save Clifford from being operated on at Lyfegro, aided by friends from their neighborhood. They break into Lifegro and save Clifford as they flee in Casey's truck with him, and race to Mr. Bridwell while being pursued by the police and Lyfegro‘s security guards. They eventually reach Mr. Bridwell at a carnival at Manhattan Bridge Park.

A large crowd gathers as Emily-Elizabeth desperately asks Mr. Bridwell to help, and he tells her that the only way to solve her problem is by standing up for herself and for Clifford and that being different is a gift. Emily-Elizabeth then gives a speech to the crowd, explaining to everyone that love is more important than anything, and they should ignore their differences. However, Zack intervenes and forces the police to see who the owner is by checking an ID chip he had implanted. Through a bit of magic, the chip identifies Emily-Elizabeth as Clifford's rightful owner, and Zack is arrested for fraud and theft. The whole crowd attempts to take a picture with Clifford in celebration, but then Clifford sees another giant ball and chases it with Casey riding on his back.

Emily-Elizabeth, Casey, and her mother are accepted back into their apartment by Mr. Packard and Clifford is now loved by everyone.

Cast

Production

Development

In May 2012, it was reported that Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment would produce a live-action/animated film based on the book. Matt Lopez was hired to write the script while Chris Meledandri and Deborah Forte were to produce,[16] but in July 2013, it was reported that Illumination cancelled the project.[17] On September 13, 2013, it was reported that the film was still in development at Universal Pictures with David Bowers in talks to direct the film.[18] Like the 2011 film Hop, the titular dog character will be animated while the other characters will be live-action.[18] In 2016, Paramount Pictures had purchased the rights to develop a live-action and animated hybrid film.[19] On September 25, 2017, it was reported that Walt Becker had been hired to direct from a script being re-written by Ellen Rapoport, and from the original written by Justin Malen, which would be produced by Forte through her Silvertongue Films banner.[20] On June 20, 2019, Paramount closed a deal with Entertainment One to co-finance the film. Under the deal, Entertainment One Films would distribute the film in Canada and the United Kingdom excluding TV broadcast rights for the latter country, while Paramount would distribute in all other territories including the United States.[1] On December 25, 2019, a photo from the film was leaked, revealing the computer-generated form of Clifford in the live-action scenery.[21][22]

Casting

In May 2019, Darby Camp and Jack Whitehall signed on to star in the film.[23] In June 2019, John Cleese, Sienna Guillory, Izaac Wang, Kenan Thompson, Rosie Perez, David Alan Grier, Keith Ewell, Bear Allen-Blaine and Lynn Cohen joined the cast.[24][15]

Filming

Principal photography began on June 10, 2019 in New York City[25][26][27][28] and wrapped on August 23, 2019, after 55 days of shooting.[29]

Music

On November 18, 2020, it was announced that John Debney would compose the film's score.[30] The song "Room for You" performed by Madison Beer, was released on November 5, 2021.[31]

Release

Clifford the Big Red Dog was simultaneously released in wide theaters in Dolby Cinema and 3D formats and streaming on Paramount+ on November 10, 2021 in the United States.[9] It was initially scheduled to have its world premiere at the 2021 Toronto International Film Festival in September,[32] followed by a theatrical release on September 17 by Paramount Pictures,[33] but the festival premiere was cancelled and the studio removed the film from its release schedule due to the rise of the Delta variant of COVID-19.[34] It was originally scheduled to be released November 13, 2020, before being delayed to November 5, 2021[35][36] due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[37] Prior to that, Universal Pictures initially slated the then-unproduced film for April 8, 2016 and then pushed back to December 31, 2016.[38][39] The film had a surprise unannounced screening on August 26, 2021 during the 2021 CinemaCon event in Los Angeles.[3] The film will be released in the UK on December 10, 2021.

Reception

Box office

In the United States and Canada, Clifford the Big Red Dog is projected to gross $15–17 million from 3,695 theaters over its first five days.[40] The film made $2.3 million on its first day.[41]

Critical response

On Rotten Tomatoes the film holds an approval rating of 48% based on 50 reviews with an average rating of 5.1/10. The website's critics consensus reads: "It may get younger viewers to sit and stay, but Clifford the Big Red Dog is nowhere near as charming as its classic source material."[42] On Metacritic the film has a weighted average score of 55 out of 100, based on 17 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[43] Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A" on an A+ to F scale.[41]

Owen Gleiberman of Variety wrote: "Clifford the Big Red Dog becomes a rowdy chase film — as agreeable as Clifford himself, as simultaneously cute and in-your-face, and as genially random in its ability to create chaos."[44] Angie Han of The Hollywood Reporter wrote: "It's not reinventing the wheel or breaking new ground; [and] it's unlikely to wow audiences with its bold artistic vision or profound emotional depths. But there's a place for sturdy and familiar entertainment that delivers exactly what it intends, and Clifford the Big Red Dog is just that."[45]

Adaptations

Comic writer Georgia Ball and illustrator Chi Ngo adapted the film into a graphic novel entitled Clifford the Big Red Dog: The Movie Graphic Novel, which was originally scheduled to be published on August 23, 2021 but was pushed back to December 7, 2021, one month after the film's release.[46]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Dylan O'Brien's 'Monster Problems,' 'Clifford' Backed by Paramount, eOne". Variety. 20 June 2019. Retrieved June 20, 2019.
  2. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (20 June 2019). "Paramount & eOne Team For 'Clifford The Big Red Dog' & Dylan O'Brien Pic 'Monster Problems'". Deadline. Paramount Pictures and Entertainment One (eOne) will co-finance two upcoming wide theatrical releases
  3. ^ a b D'Alessandro, Anthony; Tartaglione, Nancy (August 26, 2021). "'Clifford The Big Red Dog' Showing Up At Paramount CinemaCon Presentation". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
  4. ^ "Clifford the Big Red Dog - Movie Review". 20 July 2021.
  5. ^ "Clifford the Big Red Dog (2021)". The Numbers. Nash Information Services, LLC. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
  6. ^ a b "[News] CLIFFORD THE BIG RED DOG - Get a First Look". 25 November 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  7. ^ "Clifford the Big Red Dog Makes His Live-Action Teaser Trailer Debut". LRM. 2020-11-25. Retrieved 2020-11-26.
  8. ^ Wojnar, Zak (June 29, 2021). "Clifford the Big Red Dog Trailer Brings Beloved Children's Books to Life". Screen Rant.
  9. ^ a b D'Alessandro, Anthony (September 23, 2021). "'Clifford The Big Red Dog' Returns To Q4 Release Schedule, Will Go Day & Date In Theaters & On Paramount+". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  10. ^ @CliffordMovie (October 21, 2021). "From @Scholastic Book Fairs to the big screen! Get tickets now for #CliffordMovie, in theatres and on @ParamountPlus November 10. Admission tickets http://tickets.cliffordmovie.com" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  11. ^ "How comedian Paul Rodriguez regained his mojo — and his faith | Angelus News". 2019-08-07. Retrieved 2020-10-06.
  12. ^ Fraser, Garnet (January 22, 2020). "Russell Peters has an amazing house to sell you — and a new standup special". Toronto Star. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
  13. ^ Alleman, Annie (October 27, 2019). "RStandup comic Russell Peters ends tour with Hammond show". Post-Tribune. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
  14. ^ Machado, Yolanda (November 7, 2021). "'Clifford the Big Red Dog' Film Review: Canine Comedy Is Innocuous for Kids, Troubling for Adults". The Wrap. Retrieved November 10, 2021.
  15. ^ a b Kenan Thompson, Rosie Perez Join 'Clifford the Big Red Dog' Movie (Exclusive)
  16. ^ Kit, Borys (May 8, 2012). "Illumination and Universal Adapting 'Clifford the Big Red Dog' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 9, 2012.
  17. ^ Debruge, Peter (July 17, 2013). "Illumination Chief Chris Meledandri Lines Up Originals for Universal". Variety. Retrieved July 18, 2013. At the same time, Illumination has scrapped a number of planned movie ideas. Waldo and a Tim Burton-helmed, stop-motion The Addams Family are dead. The company abandoned a Woody Woodpecker pic, and couldn't crack Clifford the Big Red Dog.
  18. ^ a b Shaw, Lucas (September 13, 2013). "David Bowers in Talks to Direct 'Clifford the Big Red Dog'; Illumination Drops Off (Exclusive)". The Wrap. Retrieved September 14, 2013.
  19. ^ ‘Clifford the Big Red Dog’ Movie Moves to Paramount
  20. ^ Kit, Borys (September 25, 2017). "'Clifford the Big Red Dog' Nabs 'Alvin and the Chipmunks' Director (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 27, 2017.
  21. ^ Perry, Spencer (December 25, 2019). "Clifford the Big Red Dog Live-Action Movie First Look Leaks". ComicBook.
  22. ^ Wagner, Bonnie Lynn (January 5, 2020). "First Look at Live Action Adaptation of CLIFFORD THE BIG RED DOG". BroadwayWorld.
  23. ^ Jack Whitehall, 'Big Little Lies' Actress to Star in 'Clifford, the Big Red Dog' Adaptation (Exclusive)
  24. ^ John Cleese, Sienna Guillory Join 'Clifford, the Big Red Dog' Movie (Exclusive)
  25. ^ "Jack Whitehall on Instagram: "Clifford read through done. First day shooting today. The wall display behind Darby and I is essentially what @hilarywhitehall would would…"". Instagram. Retrieved 2020-10-31.
  26. ^ Bittle, Jake (July 17, 2019). "Clifford the Big Red Dog is coming to Brooklyn — but can he fit?". Brooklyn Eagle. Retrieved November 13, 2019.
  27. ^ Davis, Brandon (August 13, 2019). "Terrifying Photos From Clifford The Big Red Dog Set Surface Online". Comic Book. Retrieved November 13, 2019.
  28. ^ "Casting Call in NYC for "Clifford" Movie | Auditions Free". Auditions Free. July 12, 2019. Retrieved November 13, 2019.
  29. ^ "Jack Whitehall on Instagram: "That's a wrap. 55 day shoot and it flew by. A few tears where shed at wrap as i had such an amazing time shooting this one. What an…"". Instagram. Retrieved 2020-10-31.
  30. ^ "John Debney to Score Disney+'s 'Home Alone' Reboot | Film Music Reporter". Retrieved 2020-11-24.
  31. ^ "Madison Beer's Original Song 'Room for You' from 'Clifford the Big Red Dog' Released". Film Music Reporter. November 4, 2021. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
  32. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (July 20, 2021). "Toronto Festival Unveils 'Dear Evan Hansen' As Opening-Night Premiere, Zhang Yimou's 'One Second' As Closer; Check Out First Slated Films". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
  33. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (May 28, 2021). "Marvel Movies Move Around In 2023 As Disney Makes Release Date Changes". Deadline.
  34. ^ Pedersen, Erik; D'Alessandro, Anthony (July 30, 2021). "'Clifford The Big Red Dog' Pulled From Paramount Release Schedule Over Delta Concerns; TIFF Slot Vacated – Update". Retrieved August 4, 2021.
  35. ^ D'Aless, Anthony; ro (2020-08-29). "'Scream' Relaunch Eyes 2022 Release, 'Snake Eyes' Rolls To 2021 & More – Paramount Release Date Changes". Deadline. Retrieved 2020-08-29.
  36. ^ Anderton, Ethan (August 29, 2020). "Paramount Sets Release Dates for 'Snake Eyes', New 'Scream' and 'Paranormal Activity' Movies & More". /Film. Retrieved November 23, 2020.
  37. ^ Perine, Aaron (August 28, 2020). "Paramount Delays 'Clifford the Big Red Dog' Movie a Year Due to COVID-19". ComicBook.
  38. ^ "The Clifford the Big Red Dog Movie is Coming in 2016". ComingSoon.net. August 1, 2014. Retrieved August 1, 2014.
  39. ^ Lesnick, Silas (March 10, 2015). "Universal Teams with Scholastic Inc. for Future Projects". ComingSoon.net. Retrieved April 3, 2016.
  40. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (November 9, 2021). "Amid 'Eternals' Dominance Of The Box Office, 'Clifford The Big Red Dog' Hopes To Leave Paw Print – Preview". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 10, 2021.
  41. ^ a b D'Alessandro, Anthony (November 11, 2021). "'Clifford The Big Red Dog' Barks Up $2.3M Opening Day, Fetches 'A' CinemaScore". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
  42. ^ "Clifford the Big Red Dog". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
  43. ^ "Clifford the Big Red Dog Reviews". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved November 10, 2021.
  44. ^ Gleiberman, Owen (7 November 2021). "'Clifford the Big Red Dog' Review: The Agreeable Version of a CGI-Critter-Meets-Live-Action Diversion". Variety.
  45. ^ Han, Angie (7 November 2021). "'Clifford the Big Red Dog': Film Review". The Hollywood Reporter.
  46. ^ Ball, Georgia (October 6, 2020). 'Clifford the Big Red Dog: The Movie Graphic Novel' by Georgia Ball. ISBN 978-1338665109.
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