More Info on Beverly Hills Chihuahua

The Story: Princessy pooch Chloe spends her days in 90210 style, sunbathing poolside and dining on filet mignon while fending off the advances of love-struck Chihuahua Papi. When Chloe's indulgent owner Aunt Viv leaves town, the spoiled pup is left in the care of Viv's equally spoiled niece, Rachel. With Aunt Viv away, Rachel heads across the border to party, abandoning Chloe in their hotel room. The pup flees and is snatched by dog-fighting czar Vasquez who recognizes in Chloe's opulent diamond collar an opportunity for blackmail. Freed by good-hearted Shepherd Delgado, and chased by Vasquez and his Doberman Diablo, Chloe braves the streets of Mexico to find home, while Rachel, Papi and Papi's owner Sam maintain a desperate search to find her.

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Heads Up: Moments in the dog-fighting lair are particularly grisly. Though scenes of Chloe going up against a Doberman are played for laughs, it was surprisingly tense. For a kids' movie villain, Vasquez came off extremely threatening, though less so as the film went on. The appearance of Doberman Diablo was too much for at least one child who burst into tears when the dog unexpectedly appeared to menace Chloe. A tangle with some mountain lions was also especially frightening. Chloe is injured in a scene near the end, and there's a moment in which it appears she might be dead. A few kisses between doggies Chloe and Papi netted some "ewwwws." The movie employs all strays, allowing for a nice postscript about pet adoption. It's a lovely message, though it did prompt one industrious child to chirp, "See mom -- they want us to get a dog, too." So much for the benefits of early reading.