Nathan Lane hams it up beautifully in this animated film version of the Disney/ABC TV series. He provides the voice for Spot, a talking dog who longs to be a boy so much that he even dresses up as one so he can accompany his owner Leonard (Shaun Fleming) to school, where he gets the best grades in the class. Fast-paced fun abounds here, with plenty of sly humor geared to the parents in the audience. The truly strange storyline follows Spot down to Florida where he gets himself genetically transformed into a human at the hands of controversial "wacko," Dr. Crank (Kelsey Grammar). The trouble is, he becomes a man, not a boy, and the lunacy reaches peak heights when Leonard's mom falls in love with the new dog-man. This creates all sorts of bizarre emotional havoc for Leonard, as he realizes his own pooch might become his step-dad. Meanwhile Dr. Crank is in hot pursuit, determined to take "Spot" with him on a world tour. There's plenty of zippy, irreverent musical numbers, and it all goes speeding by so fast and fresh it's nearly impossible to catch all the details in one viewing. The animation bursts off the screen in bright colors. Lane is consistently inventive and hilarious. And the supporting voices are all terrific--Paul Reubens plays one of Crank's earlier experiments gone wrong (a dim-witted alligator boy), and Barry Stiller plays a tough-talking parrot.

Theatrical Release: January 16, 2004

DVD Features:

Region [unknown]
Keep Case
Audio:
Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound - English
DTS 5.1 Surround Sound - English
Additional Release Material:
Featurette:
1. Series Premiere Episode
2. Deleted Scenes
3. Music Video by Christy Carlson Romano
4. Disney's Song Selection
5. "The Art of Gary Baseman"

Distributor Notes: Teacher's Pet

Disney creates a whole new breed of comedy with a character unlike any other. Meet Spot, a clever little dog with big dreams of becoming a real boy in Disney's hilarious critical favorite The New York Times calls "marvelously quick-witted and gloriously goofy." When Spot finds out that a crazy scientist can make his wish come true, he takes a cross-country trek with his best friend and master Leonard and their mom. However, Dr. Krank's experiments are a little less than perfect, and it will take Leonard and his pet pals to right this genetic wrong. This offbeat animated adventure has "something for everyone, parents and children alike," raves The Washington Post. Make no bones about it -- your whole family will be begging for more!

Source: Buena Vista Home Entertainment.

Timothy Bjorklund: Director, TEACHER'S PET (2004)

Stephen Swofford: Producer, RECESS: SCHOOL'S OUT (2001)

Bill Steinkellner: Screenwriter, TEACHER'S PET (2004)
Cheri Steinkellner: Screenwriter, TEACHER'S PET (2004)

Stephen James Taylor: Composer

"With a stellar cast of familiar voices, sharp dialogue and a clutch of lively Broadway-style songs, the film's animation style is edgy and minimal, which imbues it with unexpected freshness and immediacy."
"It's smart and character-rich....There's solid sitcom wit aplenty."
"The visual style is eye-catchingly off-kilter..."
"[A] marvelously quick-witted and gloriously goofy hand-drawn feature..."
"It's a very high-spirited family comedy..."