All Dogs Go to Heaven
One of the most expensive of Don Bluth's animated cartoon features, All Dogs Go to Heaven was also among the most successful. Set in late-'30s New Orleans, the story centers upon a roguish German shepherd named Charlie B. Barkin (voice of Burt Reynolds), who is killed early in the proceedings by his business partner, Carface (voice of Vic Tayback). Charlie travels to Heaven, and is promptly warned that if he heads back to Earth, he can never return; he does decide to go back to Earth, however, to exact revenge on Carface, who has kidnapped Anne-Marie, a little orphan girl who can talk to Animals. The film also includes the vocal skills of Dom DeLuise, Charles Nelson Reilly, Vic Tayback, Melba Moore, Loni Anderson, and a host of others. All Dogs Go to Heaven was the first production of the Dublin-based Sullivan Bluth Studios.
Director: Don Bluth
Charlie, who owes an obvious debt to Chuck Jones' Wile E. Coyote, comes equipped with one of the most expressive faces in cartoon history: Bluth keeps his features-ears, snout, mouth, eyes-in constant flux, a beautiful blend of line and volume that represents the pinnacle of the animator's art.
There is a lot of individualism in this movie, both in the filmmaking and in the characters.
The animation, courtesy of Don Bluth's studio, is exceptional, and some fine musical moments are provided by Melba Moore.
Despite overlength, this acceptable outing has its moments, most of them in the second half.
The appeal of character and story line here is thoroughly overshadowed by the various technical feats involved in bringing the film to the screen.
Best Family Motion Picture - Adventure or Cartoon
Young Artist Awards (1990)
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