Man becomes mutt in this inoffensive, uneven comedy that fails to make the most of its comic potential or familiar cast.

A flea-bitten farrago which bears only a fleeting resemblance to the 1959 film that inspired it.

There are precious few surprises here, but parents will find director Robbins' breezy remake a painless affair and, judging by the yowls of laughter from the peanut gallery at the screening I attended, the kids will be barking all the way home.

Nothing more than a mangy mutt.