The Newton family live in their comfortable home, but there seems to something missing. This "hole" is filled by a small puppy, who walks into their home and their lives. Beethoven, as he is named, grows into a giant of a dog... a St Bernard. Doctor Varnick, the local vet has a secret and horrible sideline, which requires lots of dogs for experiments. Beethoven is on the bad doctor's list.
Rallies at the end to prevent chaperoning adults from feeling their time was completely wasted.
– Variety Staff,
Variety,
26 Mar 2009
fresh:
Beethoven is no classic, but it's a sunny, energetic children's film with a good notion of what young audiences like.
– Janet Maslin,
New York Times,
20 May 2003
fresh:
A waggish tale of canine chicanery, an uproarious if impawsible symphony of drool, doggy fidelity and chewed shoes.
– Rita Kempley,
Washington Post,
1 Jan 2000
fresh:
It's the kind of clever, innocuous family entertainment that's always in short supply.
– Roger Ebert,
Chicago Sun-Times,
1 Jan 2000
fresh:
Elevated from the doldrums of Digby-esque sentimentality by a surprisingly bouncy script, the film is also redeemed by regular interludes of acerbic dialogue and a brace of fine supporting performances.