Our Childhood Comes to Life
November 9, 2021 2022-02-02 12:16Our Childhood Comes to Life
Clifford Live-Action Hits Theaters
Amongst the many movies coming this year, Clifford the Big Red Dog is one of the few premiering in November. Directed by Walter Becker, the story is about young Emily Elizabeth (Darby Camp) living in her New York City apartment, where she struggles to maintain her ten-foot-sized dog.
The movie adaption is from the book series that was written and illustrated by Norman Bridwell. The book, Clifford the Big Red Dog, was first published by Scholastics in 1963. After that, Bridwell continued to write and illustrate his stories, having published more than 75 stories.
In 2000, the animated Clifford television series, directed by John Over, aired on PBS Kids and became popular. The show discontinued production in 2003. However, a more recent adaptation exists. Directed by Geri Bertolo and Mike Weiss, Clifford the Big Red Dog animation series returned in 2019 on PBS Kids and Amazon Prime Video.
Those who are familiar with the big-friendly dog from childhood have heard about the film.
“I did see the trailer for the movie, but I’ll consider watching it once it’s available to watch for free,” freshmen Kelly Ryan said. “It seems interesting to me because it’s something I used to watch as a kid, but it’s not something I’d seek out myself.”
With the increasing number of films being made into a live-active, there have been many critiques of the movie that mention the unnecessary nature of big movie production companies remaking old cartoons into live-action blockbuster films.
“I think if they’re targeting their audience correctly, regardless of how well the movie is produced, then they’ll always get business,” senior Lilly Feinman said. “That’s just what big companies want.”
Children ages three to seven are the target audience, so using bright and vibrant colors is a given when creating their advertisements. Although, another critique about this movie is the way Clifford, the main character, is depicted.
“A little more effort into the detailing for Clifford can be a saving grace for the movie,” sophomore Ian Belman said, “but, regardless, children won’t honestly know any better, so I don’t think it should be such a big complaint.”
The film will be released in theaters and on Paramount Plus on Wednesday, November 10, 2021. Its audience rating is PG, which is perfect when the central audience is children. Adults and teenagers can also watch for the joy of remembering their childhood. This movie has been anticipated for the past year and a half since its production was due to COVID-19.
Nonetheless, the Clifford movie is still a big name in the film production world for many who grew up watching or reading about the big red dog. There have been many supporters who are adamant about its success.
