| | Boston.com / A&E / Movies / Search / Movie details / Clifford's Really Big Movie |
 | | Preschoolers who are charmed by the gentle antics of the giant dog on his TV series and in its many related paper products (loosely known as books) will probably be equally charmed by the movie, even though its awkward attempt at 3-D animation gives it a different look and feel. |
 | | The plot trots out Clifford (voiced, as on TV, by the late John Ritter, to whom the movie is fittingly dedicated) and his sidekicks -- dimwitted T-Bone, the little tan dog, and sharp-tongued Cleo, the medium-size lavender dog -- and sends them on an adventure involving some trained carnival animals and a pet talent contest. |
 | | This has the advantages of minimizing screen time for the bland Emily Elizabeth (Clifford's owner), of letting the writers have one flash of wit in naming the contest-runner's Texas ranch "Shangri-Large," and giving Wayne Brady a chance to have some fun with the voice of a jealous ferret. |
| www.boston.com /movies/display?display=movie&id=6033 (451 words) |