City Dogs

City Dogs, a slight but good hearted story about a group of dogs and homeowners trying to save a city park from development, would probably have been better as a radio drama. The "action" consists entirely of various close ups and cutaways of small figurines standing around a model neighborhood for almost 40 minutes. Nothing ever moves and no amount of quick cutting by the editor can really bring what is essentially an audio story any sense of visual energy. While I realize that kids can bring a lot of imagination to a presentation like this, I also recognize when there is no budget for claymation, animation or stop motion cinematography. At least in similar videos, such as the Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends series, the trains occasionally move around and change facial expressions from time to time. The only thing moving around and changing facial expressions in this tape was me, shifting uncomfortably in my chair. Suffering from a story that is too inconsequential to hold one's interest without more compelling visuals, City Dogs is an optional purchase. Aud: E, P. (R. Ray)