Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey (1993
I’ve seen the original The Incredible Journey, and the 1993 remake has given it one simple – but vital – improvement: the animals talk. In the original, the entire movie is just told by an outsider’s narration. In this one, Michael J. Fox voices the inner thoughts of young bulldog Chance, Sally Field personifies the Siamese cat Sassy, and Don Ameche (in his final movie) plays the old faithful retriever Shadow.
When Kim Greist remarries, to nice guy Robert Hayes, the kids have to leave their animals at Jean Smart’s farm for a while. Robert’s job takes them to a different city, and they need to get established before going back for the animals. It’s a very tearful goodbye, especially for Don Ameche and his owner. In fact, it’s so painful, when a miscommunication happens, the animals take it into their hearts to follow their owners and run away from the farm.
So starts the incredible journey. It truly is incredible, with waterfalls, bears, porcupines, little food, and lack of direction. But the animals love their humans, and they’re willing to withstand anything to be reunited with them again. Most of the movie is hilarious, with constant bickering between Sassy and Chance – pretty much everything out of Sassy’s “mouth” is side-splittingly funny – but there are some very suspenseful moments. And I guarantee you’re going to need a Kleenex at the end.
DLM Warning: If you suffer from vertigo or dizzy spells, like my mom does, this movie might not be your friend. Many of the scenes feature camera angles from the animals' points of view, and it will make you sick. In other words, "Don't Look, Mom!"
More Don Ameche movies here!
When Kim Greist remarries, to nice guy Robert Hayes, the kids have to leave their animals at Jean Smart’s farm for a while. Robert’s job takes them to a different city, and they need to get established before going back for the animals. It’s a very tearful goodbye, especially for Don Ameche and his owner. In fact, it’s so painful, when a miscommunication happens, the animals take it into their hearts to follow their owners and run away from the farm.
So starts the incredible journey. It truly is incredible, with waterfalls, bears, porcupines, little food, and lack of direction. But the animals love their humans, and they’re willing to withstand anything to be reunited with them again. Most of the movie is hilarious, with constant bickering between Sassy and Chance – pretty much everything out of Sassy’s “mouth” is side-splittingly funny – but there are some very suspenseful moments. And I guarantee you’re going to need a Kleenex at the end.
DLM Warning: If you suffer from vertigo or dizzy spells, like my mom does, this movie might not be your friend. Many of the scenes feature camera angles from the animals' points of view, and it will make you sick. In other words, "Don't Look, Mom!"
More Don Ameche movies here!