Turner & Hooch

Tom Hanks stars in this comedy about an obssesively neat small town detective who teams up with the only witness to a friend's murder - the victim's slobber-happy dog. This is a cute film with many gags between Hanks and the dog. The entire sequence trying to get Hooch to take a bath is quite funny. The film moves at a quick pace and is better written than a similar film such as K-9, with Jim Belushi. Craig T. Nelson co-stars.

TURNER AND HOOCH teams Tom Hanks with an unlikely murder witness: a slobbering junkyard dog named Hooch. This is an okay film for another one of Hanks's underachievers, and is actually an entertaining one to watch. It's not the dog that K-9 was. The story here is much better, the chemistry is much stronger and the movie doesn't try as hard. Certainly Hanks's most underrated film, and highly recommended for people with pets in their home.

3 out of 5

Hanks and Beasley make for an odd couple but they are clearly the best thing about the film. In terms of storyline of 'Turner & Hooch' is not developed from a novel concept, the humorous treatment and the hilarious and endearing interaction between the lead pair is what makes it a charming little film. Tom Hanks is totally great in one of his early roles as a policeman who suffers from perfectionism and is challenged by the entrance of a pooch into his life. The guy shows a flair for comedy that has hardly been noticed by many filmmakers. Beasley is fantastic and absolutely adorable (once you get passed the drooling). Mare Winningham is good as Hanks's love interest. They are quite convincing enough as a romantic pair. There are plenty of wonderful moments in the film and it is hard to pick a favourite but the first scenes that come to mind are the stakeout scene where Turner is chatting with a bored Hooch and the scene where he comforts a grieving Hooch. I love the film for its simplicity and heart along Hanks and Beasley. An awesome fun little flick!

I remember loving this movie as a kid, and watching it recently, I must admit it aged pretty well (except for the music and the hairdo of the leading actress). I laughed several times at the antics on display, mostly because of the interactions between Tom Hanks (Turner) and Hooch. Hooch, the dog, is a special effect in itself. He's initially so ugly, I thought he was some kind of unique bastard dog, but it turns out there's an actual breed. Who would have thought? So initially ugly, so big, yet turning out so lovable and actually handsome with his sad face and droopy expressions, once he cleaned up and didn't slobber too much.

We have Tom Hanks at the height of his comedy career (before he turned too serious) giving a very energetic and enthusiastic performance despite playing a serious, by-the-book, neat freak. For me, there was actual chemistry between him and the dog. That scene where they "talked" in the car was hilarious. The other actors weren't bad but weren't notable.

Other scenes where the dog made a mess or was particularly disgusting were to be expected, but they were enjoyable nevertheless, mostly due to us expecting Hank's reactions and him actually delivering. Sure, he was a bit over the top sometimes, but it worked. The actual police action stuff was less interesting and pretty standard for the times. The movie was also a bit sad a few times, but I think that made the movie more memorable. For me, this film remains a reference, even today, in terms of dog-comedy movies.

Rating: 7 out of 10 (Very good)

It's not a great film but it ain't no dog, either.

"Turner and Hooch" does its own take on the cop-buddy genre of films. In few others, though, did one of the buddies ever have as severe a drooling problem as Hooch.

Hanks, in one of his last few comedy roles before aiming strictly for Oscar-calibre movies, is perfection as a neat freak cop teamed with a pooch that would be a calamity no matter whom he was with. When this dog marks his territory, the whole neighborhood notices.

If there's only one problem I had, it was the ending. I won't say anything about it, for the uninitiated, but all I will say is I wish it would have ended differently.

But besides Hanks and hound, there are other good parts, such as the observances of the unique characters in the town, the extent of damage a mastiff can do, and what kind of a cop carries a Dustbuster in his car. Oh, and the Lancelot Link discussion.

Seven stars. And if you ever own a mastiff, get thick doors.