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K-9 (film series)

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K-9
Official home video release,
boxset collection artwork
Based onCharacters created by
Steven Siegel and Scott Myers
StarringJim Belushi
Distributed byUniversal Pictures
Release date
1989-2002
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

The K-9 film series,[1] consists of Buddy cop family-comedy films including one theatrical film, one made-for-television film, and two straight-to-home video films. The general plot centers around a hard-boiled police detectives and the German Shepherd police dogs they have as their respective partner and the cases they work together to solve; with the spin-off TV movie, which was initially developed as a pilot episode for a television series before it was passed on, revolves around a police detective who is teamed up with a mechanically enhanced German Shepperd to solve a criminal investigation.

The film series as a whole has been met with generally negative reviews. K-9 was successful at the box-office. It was met with mixed critical reception, but was praised for its use of comedy and for the dog training that was done for the animal actors that portrayed Jerry Lee.[2] The sequels were criticized for their pacing,[3] their "strain[ed] credibility";[4] and for the use of potty humor.[5]

Films

[edit]
Film U.S.
release date 		Director Screenwriter(s) Producer(s)
K-9 April 28, 1989 (1989-04-28) Rod Daniel Steven Siegel & Scott Myers Lawrence Gordon and Charles Gordon
K-9000 June 1, 1991 (1991-06-01) Kim Manners Steven E. de Souza & Michael Part Steven E. de Souza, Charles Fries and J. Rickley Dumm
K-911 December 12, 1999 (1999-12-12) Charles T. Kanganis Gary Scott Thompson David Bixler
K-9: P.I. July 30, 2002 (2002-07-30) Richard J. Lewis Ron French

K-9 (1989)

[edit]
Main article: K-9 (film)

Officer Michael Dooley prefers working alone, but while working a case involving the notorious drug lord named Lyman, his boss assigns him a partner. The assigned companion is Jerry Lee, a German Shepherd detection police dog in the canine unite. Initially irritated by the animal, Dooley learns how valuable Jerry Lee is. The dog assists him with tracking down and arresting cohorts of Lyman. When his girlfriend, Tracy, is abducted by Lyman and his mean, Dooley crashes a party at their mansion demanding her safe return. With no supporting evidence, he is arrested by another police officer from his own department. Jerry Lee assists in helping Dooley escape the custody, so that they can pursue Lyman and free Tracy. Dooley hijacks a truck filled with Lyman's next shipment of drugs, as collateral for his girlfriend's freedom. He threatens to blow up the truck, only for a shootout to break out. As Lyman tries to escape via helicopter, Jerry Lee chases him down. Opening fire on the dog, the canine is hit. Lyman is in turn killed by his own men. Jerry Lee recovers following an emergency operation, and he, Dooley, and Tracy take a relaxing vacation from policing in Las Vegas, Nevada.[6]

K-9000 (1991)

[edit]
Main article: K-9000

Developed as a pilot for a television series based on the plot of K-9 by Steven Siegel and Scott Myers, the project was released as a TV movie instead followed by straight-to-home video release on VHS.[7] The plot includes:

Hard-edged police officer, Detective Eddie Monroe, who has little to no skill with technology, works to apprehend the edgiest criminals. During an animal rights protest organized by activist Mrs. Wiffington, a heist organized by the villainous Anton Zeiss involving a powerful weapon takes place. Following the disappearance of the device, Monroe's boss assigns him the case. The job requires a new partner, and is teamed up with a cybernetically enhanced German Shepherd police dog named Niner. The product of female scientist Dr. Aja Turner, the dog is implanted with a computer-chip in its brain as a supersoldier program, to magnify its abilities to track and capture perpetrators. Upon teaming up with Niner, Monroe receives a microchip implant that allows communication between him and Niner. Working together the team pursues Zeiss, and a police chase ensues. Following a lengthy fight, Zeiss's plan is thwarted. Mrs. Wiffington is revealed to have been in partnership with Zeiss. With the case closed, a complicated procedure under the operation of a computer program removes the implant from Monroe, though their extrasensory telecomunication abbilities remains. Dr. Turner allows the policeman to keep the tech-dog. Taking a break from police task, Monroe takes Niner on a tropic vacation.[8]

K-911 (1999)

[edit]
Main article: K-911

Detective Michael Dooley and his faithful German shepherd partner Jerry Lee, have worked together in a partnership of 10 years apprehending criminals. Jerry Lee has aged considerably, due to the difference in dog years, and struggles to keep up with police responsibilities. The partnership, assigned in solving case involving a mysterious murderous criminal, scrambles to crack the case. Dooley reluctantly teams up with fellow Sgt. Wendy Wells and her Dobermann Pinscher named Zeus, in perusing the gun-wielding psychopath. Confronting the lawbreaker Devon Lane, its revealed that the sociopath is motivated by his resolve that Dooley's late-wife Tracey was in love with him, based on her previous compliment of his talents, and is convinced that the policeman is guilty for her death. Lane attacks the officer, and attempts to kill him in a climatic showdown. Just before Dooley is eliminated, Jerry Lee springs into action and tackles the offender resulting in his arrest. Dooley is taken to the hospital for gunshot treatments, and recovers with his companion Jerry Lee by his side.[9]

K-9: P.I. (2002)

[edit]
Main article: K-9: P.I.

Approaching and finally ready to settle into retirement years, a retirement party for Detective Mike Dooley and his partner and police dog Jerry Lee. On their way home after celebrating, the pair come across a robbery at the LA Micro Labs. They give chase to the industrial thief, but he escapes after murdering several security guards. Believing that the criminal has stolen a valuable advanced-tech microchip, Dooley decides to approach the law enforcement. However, in doing so he inadvertently find themselves in the middle of an investigation as the criminal suspects. With his pension now frozen until his name is cleared, Dooley determines to solve the case. With the help of Jerry Lee, the team sets out to find the criminals and clear their names. However, since he's a suspect of an F.B.I. examination and therefore unable to access his old police resources, Dooley creates his own private investigation firm. His first client is woman searching for her missing fiancé, a questionable figure who Dooley determines may be involved with the technology theft. Shortly thereafter, he discovers that Jerry Lee swallowed the missing microchip. After apprehending the accomplice, and determining the burglar's identity, Dooley sets in motion a plan to feign a bribery exchange of money for the microchip. Dooley and Jerry Lee arrest the perpetrator and return the technology to its rightful owner, clearing their names from any association with the crime. Celebrating their success, the duo re-enter their retirement.[5]

Main cast and characters

[edit]
List indicators

This section includes characters who will appear or have appeared in more than two films in the series.

  • An empty grey cell indicates the character was not in the film, or that the character's official presence has not yet been confirmed.
  •  P indicates an appearance in onscreen photographs.
  •  V indicates a voice-only role.
Character K-9 K-9000 K-911 K-9: P.I.
Principal cast
Det. Michael "Mike" Dooley James Belushi James Belushi
Jerry Lee Rando "Jerry Lee"[10][11][12]
Koton[7] 		Mac, Sonto & Reno[13] King[14]
Det. Eddie Monroe Chris Mulkey
Dr. Aja Turner Catherine Oxenberg
Niner Koton[15]
Jerry HouserV
Supporting cast
Tracy Dooley Mel Harris Mel HarrisP
Ken Lyman Kevin Tighe
Anton Zeiss Judson Earney Scott
Mrs. Wiffington Anne Haney
Sgt. Wendy Welles Christine Tucci
Zeus Lucan, Taze & Jasmine
Devon Lane Wade Williams
the Thief Dean Choe

Additional crew and production details

[edit]
Film Crew/Detail
Composer Cinematographer Editor Production
companies 		Distributing
company 		Running time
K-9 Miles Goodman Dean Semler Lois Freeman-Fox Universal Pictures,
Gordon Company 		Universal Pictures 1hr 42mins
K-9000 Jon Hammer Frank Raymond J.P. Farrell De Souza Productions,
Fries Entertainment 		Metro-Goldwyn-Meyer,
Fox Network,
Fries Home Video 		1hr 36mins
K-911 Stephen Edwards George Mooradian Carter DeHaven Universal Pictures Home Entertainment Universal Studios Home Video 1hr 31mins
K-9: P.I. Nick Pierone Roy H. Wagner Ron Wisman Universal Pictures Universal Home Video 1hr 35mins

Reception

[edit]
For more details on the reception of each film, see the "Reception" section on each film's article.

Box office and financial performance

[edit]
Film Box office gross Box office ranking Budget Total worldwide
net income 		References
North America Other territories Worldwide All-time
North America 		All-time
worldwide
K-9 $43,247,647 $35,000,000 $78,247,647 #2,225 #3,313 $17,000,000 $61,247,647 [16][17][18]
K-9000 — — — — — figures not
available 		figures not
available
K-911 — — — — — figures not
available 		figures not
available
K-9: P.I. — — — — — figures not
available 		figures not
available 		—

Critical and public response

[edit]
Film Rotten Tomatoes Metacritic
K-9 22% (9 reviews)[19] 44/100 (11 reviews)[20]
K-9000 —[21] —
K-911 17% (6 reviews)[22] —
K-9: P.I. 0% (6 reviews)[23] —

References

[edit]
  1. ^ 80s Kids staff. "9 Fantastically Furry Facts About The Brilliant K-9!". 80s Kids. Eighties Kids. Retrieved August 24, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  2. ^ Thomas, Kevin (April 28, 1989). "Movie Reviews : 'K-9' a Serviceable Outing for Belushi". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved Aug 21, 2012.
  3. ^ Josh (4 August 2016). "Obsolete Review: K-9000; Worst Cop / Cyber-dog buddy movie ever!". Obsolete Cinema. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
  4. ^ King, Susan (1999-12-23). "Belushi, Canine Pal Back on Case in 'K-911'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2017-08-26.
  5. ^ a b Pardi, Robert (2002). "K-9: P.I." TV Guide. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
  6. ^ Ebert, Robert (April 28, 1989). "K-9". RobertEbert.com. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
  7. ^ a b Parker, Matt. "9 Fantastically Furry Facts About The Brilliant K-9!". 80s Kids. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
  8. ^ Bibbiani, William & Witney Seibold (August 30, 2018). "Canceled Too Soon #112 - K-9000 (1991)". Critically Accliamed Network; Gone Too Soon podcast. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
  9. ^ Pardi, Robert (1999). "K-911". TV Guide. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
  10. ^ Capatides, Christina. "Famous dogs RIP". CBS News. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
  11. ^ Thomas, Kevin (April 28, 1989). "Movie Reviews: 'K-9' a Serviceable Outing for Belushi". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
  12. ^ Neill, Michael & Marie Moneysmith (May 22, 1989). "Get Used to It, Cybill—there's a New Shepherd in Hollywood". People Magazine. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
  13. ^ King, Susan (December 23, 1999). "Belushi, Canine Pal Back on Case in 'K-911'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  14. ^ "K-9: P.I. (Video 2002) - IMDb" – via www.imdb.com.
  15. ^ Hayes, Monique (25 July 2017). "6 Animal Film Stars With Tragic Histories". What Culture. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
  16. ^ "K-9". Box Office Mojo.
  17. ^ "K-9 (1989) - Financial Information". The Numbers.
  18. ^ "K-9". April 28, 1989 – via IMDb.
  19. ^ "K-9". Rotten Tomatoes. September 11, 2015.
  20. ^ "K-9". www.metacritic.com.
  21. ^ "K-9000". Rotten Tomatoes.
  22. ^ "K-911". Rotten Tomatoes. February 12, 2014.
  23. ^ "K-9: P.I." Rotten Tomatoes. February 12, 2014.
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