somewhat western themed pulp sci fi novel ably brought to life though i guess too weird for the mainstream sci fi cannon as it is pretty obscure indeed even with a young Don Johnson as the star. the plot is familiar but stronger and much less corny than it could have been and that's thanks to it's creator Harlan ellison, a sci fi author of some reknown. I really enjoyed it. Delightful ending. If stuff like 1984 and Twilight Zone floats your boat this is a can't miss.
here's the intro, I'd avoid the full trailer as it kind of gives away alot of stuff
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJ6ONr362Ng
this netflix reviewer feels differently
Quote
Do Not rent this pathetic movie! The best parts are when the dog dialogs with Don Johnson - but not the other way around! A terrible film built around apocalyptic USA sometime after a nuclear battle. Really a pathetic stinker - Oscar goes to the mind reading telepathic police dog, Runner-Up to the lovely Australian girl who walks around in her underwear and the gameshow award to don john---whats his name????
1 out of 5 people found this review helpful
I saw that back in the early '80s. didn't really do anything for me, it was a minor chore to make it to the end :teddyr:
there were lots of strong against opinions at netflix . I was also messing around with a keyboard while I was watching it so maybe it woul have been more boring had I been facing forward at full attention like Alex Delarge.
It was reviewed some time ago by Andrew on this site.
http://www.badmovies.org/movies/boyanddog/
I have seen it and shook my head at a lot of things in it. Mostly the one society's desire to wear overalls and clown make up.
damn I missed that
I originally saw this during a theatrical re-release in the 1980s and I loved it. I watched it a couple times after that on videotape, but probably haven't seen it in at least 20 years. It's time for another viewing, I guess . . .
Saw it a few years ago, because of its cult status and the names involved. I enjoyed the beginning, but once Don Johnson meets that underground society the whole thing degenerates quickly into an un-funny mess, and the ending only makes it up to an extent.
the underground stuff wasn't stunningly original
Nope. Except the deal with turning Don Johnson's character into a... uhm... well, you know, it was pretty much excruciating.
I remember really liking this one. Like Burgo it's time for a second viewing for me.
The wife and I saw this one years ago, I liked it, she thought the dog was cute, I think I've got it on VHS, have to watch it again. I'm pretty sure it will still be enjoyable and even if it's not as good as I remember the telepathic dog will still be cute.
This was current when I was in college, and it was pretty popular with the college crowd. I heard a lot about it but I've actually never seen it. It's on my (mental) list of stuff I always meant to get around to watching. Time to put it on the actual Netflix list I guess.
I agree that the underground stuff is the weakest aspect of the film, but I don't think it is quite a total loss. It's so weird and surreal I liked parts of it (Jason Robards is cool). Plus, as I recall, it actually isn't an overwhelming part of the film - isn't it like a half hour or so of the 90 minute film? But yeah, if it had maintained what it was doing for the first half all the way to the end, I think it could have been a truly great film. As is, it's just a good film, with one of the most satisfying endings in any film I've seen.
8/10 from me.
As a post-note, there are some comics written by Harlan Ellison that I believe continue the storyline of the film. Apparently they're very depressing, and I like the two lead characters enough that I haven't ever quite gotten around to reading them.
another awesome though far less substantial early Don Johnson film is Ski Lift to Death aka Snowblind (http://www.badmovies.org/forum/index.php?action=printpage;topic=118258.0). A dumb disaster movie from like 78
Great cult film, and sorry but the bizzare left turn into the underground Republican land is actually quite hilarious.