SummaryTo stop an elusive criminal, a maverick detective enlists the aid of a police dog who's an unusually intelligent smart alec.
Directed By:Rod Daniel
Written By:Steven Siegel, Scott Myers
K-9
Metascore
Mixed or Average
44
User score
Generally Favorable
6.1
My Score
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Top Cast
Metascore
Mixed or Average
44
9% Positive
1 Review
1 Review
55% Mixed
6 Reviews
6 Reviews
36% Negative
4 Reviews
4 Reviews
70
It's enjoyable, thanks not only to its charismatic duo, but also to the skilled comedy direction of Rod Daniel, whose strong sense of pacing is enhanced by Miles Goodman's driving but not overpowering score.
50
However you look at it, K-9, a crime comedy starring Jim Belushi, Mel Harris and a German shepherd named Jerry Lee, barks up a few of the right trees. Its moments of hilarity are due entirely to the dog, whose orchestrated growls and grimaces could start a whole new school of dog acting. [28 Apr 1989, p.N]
50
Belushi is fetching, though he plays a cliche'. But the movie would roll over and play dead without the talented German shepherd. Lassie was classy and Benji beguiling, but Jerry Lee is a four-legged Burt Reynolds, just made for fast cars and chase scenes.
50
K-9 doesn't have a shred of credibility. And Mr. Belushi, despite some rough edges, lacks a strong enough macho growl to make Dooley seem like a police dog in human clothing. But with its surefire dog tricks and breezy pacing, K-9 is at least mildly diverting.
38
Is this a comedy, action pic or sensitive Belushi-Harris romance? Director Rod Daniel never establishes a definitive tone, though he comes close in the scene where James Brown's I Feel Good hits the sound track after some canine fornication. You don't need a dog to smell this. [28 Apr 1989, p.4D]
30
There are a few amazing moments (the dog’s rescue of Belushi in a bar). In between lingers lots of standard action-pic fare, plenty of toothless jokes and some down-right mangy dialog.
25
Belushi, the only actor to get away with calling Arnold Schwarzenegger Gumby (in Red Heat), wisecracks his way through K-9 -- even in a sappy injured-dog sequence. But despite his efforts, a muddled story has his comic talents on a tight leash. [01 May 1989, p.C5]
User score
Generally Favorable
6.1
42% Positive
5 Ratings
5 Ratings
42% Mixed
5 Ratings
5 Ratings
17% Negative
2 Ratings
2 Ratings
Jun 27, 2021
8
It's K-9, a film about a cop and a dog. Now there's something in comparison to Turner and Hooch, with it's comedic elements with a funny pooch dog and Tom Hanks and a sad ending. OK, I don't wanna be thinking about it again. This one does the same thing and people slammed it for being lacking, lacking some sense of comedy and not being funny. James Belushi as Mike Dooley is out to track down a drug dealer called Lyman but he was set up and now he gets a new partner which is a dog named Jerry Lee. Now what is it with K-9 which looks similar to Turner and Hooch? Well, I don't know. I'll leave you to figure it out for yourself and see what you like better. With what I got with Turner and Hooch and with now what I've got with K-9, I just think it's better than each other. And do I think it's better than with what it is with Turner and Hooch? That's a little trickier. I mean the ending is not sad and thank Christ, I didn't cry at it. But with what I think of it, I do got some of sense of comedy in this movie. James Belushi is funny and I really like it when the dog looks away from Dooley making him not knowing that he is alive, And in many respects, I would almost rather watch this than Turner and Hooch, now that is to say it's not very popular at that time but still lifts up to it's fans. If you like both of them alot more, be their guests. See if K-9 can do you any good and see what you think of it or not.
Mar 23, 2020
3
K-9 is basically a comedy action thriller Starring James Belushi, Kevin Tighe and Mel Harris... Directed in 1989 by Rod Daniel and I'll say James Belushi is pretty hilarious at times as officer Dooley and also weird and over the top and silly and even more so when he gets teamed up with a dog. This film feels like a rip off of the movie Turner & Hooch which was actually funnier and a better movie. Kevin Tighe as the badguy comes across as a coward at times and stubborn and most importantly unlikeable most of the time. Best scene in the movie is the dog being put through a carwash for me but the rest is dogfood. K-9 contains bad language and violence and maybe some sex
Production Company:
- Universal Pictures
- Gordon Company
Release Date:Apr 28, 1989
Duration:1 h 41 m
Rating:PG-13
Tagline:Meet the two toughest cops in town.
