It's no great shakes as a film, but its combination of mild comedy, slapstick, pathos, many photogenic canines and a positive message will make it irresistible to families.

A lively, funny, imaginative film that should appeal to kids and their pet-loving parents.

Kids will be as enthralled by this film as you were by the live-action Disney movies of the '70s. It doesn't get any sweeter than a roomful of mattresses with kids and dogs jumping on them.

A bright, funny family movie that gets everything right, from story to production design to cast (both human and canine).

What it is packed with is lots of sneaking around, very cool gadgets, excellent stunts and some clever kids.

The movie's political and moral points -- and theme about creating family however you can find it -- elevate it above the average kids movie.

A sweet, innocent family movie about stray dogs that seem as well-trained as Olympic champions. Friday, the Jack Russell terrier who's the leader of the pack, does more acting than most of the humans, and doesn't even get billing.

Not bad, not great, a little less pushy and grating than the usual.

Ultimately warm and furry, with a wet nose buried in gross receipts.

On the upside, the movie could do something really positive for the cause of homeless pets: If audiences respond the way they should, dog shelters could be emptied in a week.

What's most surprising in Hotel for Dogs, is Don Cheadle co-starring as Bernie.

Even the youngest viewers, not to mention their parents, will appreciate the buffoonish villainy of the dogcatchers (still useful villains more than half a century after "Lady and the Tramp"), and the movie's nice anti-kill shelter message is as it should be.

What does a film called Hotel For Dogs need in order to avoid being a watch-checker for grown-ups? Whatever it is, Hotel For Dogs doesn't have it.

It's a pretty lazy film in the creativity department save for the dogs.