Also Opening: Disney isn't favoring 'Teacher's Pet'
By STEVE PERSALL
Published January 15, 2004
[Buena Vista Pictures]
‘Teacher’s Pet’
View a clip
Draw your own conclusions about Walt Disney Pictures' declining to screen Teacher's Pet (PG) for anyone locally - critics or audiences - before its debut Friday. The only advance screening in Florida was in Miami.
It's odd and possibly telling that the studio known for hyping even its worst films isn't pushing this movie much. The fact that Teacher's Pet comes from Disney's animation department, the cornerstone of the conglomerate's empire, makes the strategy even stranger.
This is the most obvious sign yet of Disney's arrogance in believing that simply slapping the brand name on a movie will sell tickets. Teacher's Pet could turn out to be a pleasant movie experience, but, honestly, if that chance existed don't you think Disney would be beating the drum to make more customers aware of it?
Teacher's Pet is based on an ABC network (also owned by Disney) cartoon series that ended production in 2002. Its 68-minute running time suggests that it's merely three half-hour episodes (minus commercials) repackaged.
Nathan Lane gives voice to the hero, a talking dog disguised as a boy so he can attend school with his owner. Other actors putting their mouths where the easy money is include Megan Mullally (Will & Grace), Paul "Pee-wee Herman" Reubens, Kelsey Grammer (Frasier), Jerry Stiller and former M*A*S*H star David Ogden Stiers, who must be approaching a record for voiceovers in Disney 'toons. At least he didn't have to worry about any pesky interviews to promote this one.
- STEVE PERSALL, Times film critic
Stars on two wheels
Somebody at Warner Bros. probably thought Biker Boyz would be a big hit last year, so plans were made to produce Torque (PG-13), another collision of motorcycle gang machismo and hip-hop vibes. Ice Cube(Barbershop) brings his glare to the role of Trey Wallace, leader of the most feared biker mob on the L.A. streets. New Zealander Martin Henderson (The Ring) plays Cary Ford, a guy framed for the murder of Trey's brother, so he tops the gang's hit list.
The real stars of Torque, however, are the sleek racing machines these guys ride. According to previews, Cube's ride of choice is a Triumph Daytona 955, and Henderson favors a Triumph Y2K. Those bikes get a workout in a series of chases and stunts, the likes of which can be expected from the producers of such films as S.W.A.T. and XXX. Torque looks like another 2 Fast 2 Furious minus two wheels. The film wasn't screened in time for a Weekend review.
