All Dogs Go to Heaven

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Gabriel M When I first came across All Dogs Go to Heaven on Netflix, I didn't quite finish it, perhaps because I wasn't fully prepared for how emotionally intense it would be. I later borrowed the DVD from my local library, and I'm glad I finally saw it through to the end. While the film is good, it's not one I would watch again. All Dogs Go to Heaven tells the story of Charlie B. Barkin, voiced by Burt Reynolds, a German Shepherd who dies and escapes from Heaven to return to Earth. Along the way, he meets Ann Marie (Judith Barsi), a young girl in need of protection, and together they face off against a villainous dog named Carface. While the film offers some light-hearted moments, its emotional weight lies in its themes of death, redemption, and love. But what makes the ending particularly gut-wrenching for me is the real-life tragedy of Judith Barsi. She tragically passed away in 1988, long before the movie was released, and her performance as Ann Marie is all the more poignant knowing that this was one of her final roles. The film's ending, where Charlie saves Ann Marie and ultimately redeems himself, takes on a darker, sadder tone because of the fact that Judith Barsi's life was cut so short. There's something incredibly emotional about hearing her voice as the character, knowing the devastating end to her own story. The final scenes, where Charlie sacrifices himself for Ann Marie, are already emotional, but the real-life tragedy makes them hit much harder. I found myself crying, especially as I feared for Ann Marie's safety in those last moments. The looming sense that this was one of Barsi's final performances gave the ending an unexpected weight. Though Burt Reynolds was still alive when the film was released in 1989, his own death in 2018 from a heart attack adds another layer of sorrow when watching the film now. Reynolds' voice brought Charlie to life with warmth, humor, and a touch of vulnerability, and knowing that he's no longer with us makes his performance in this film feel bittersweet. However, it's the loss of Judith Barsi that truly gives this movie an emotional complexity that wasn't apparent on my first viewing. The movie's darker themes and emotional weight made me reflect on how All Dogs Go to Heaven is probably too intense for younger viewers. It's rated G, but its themes of death, the afterlife, and redemption are much heavier than most animated films aimed at children. The final scenes, in particular, feel far more suited to an older audience, and I would have personally rated it PG because of how scary and emotionally intense it can be for younger kids. If you're considering watching this with children, be aware that the movie delves into some heavy topics that might be difficult for younger audiences to handle. The ending alone, with its mix of redemption and sadness, could be a lot to process. While I can appreciate the film's message, I do think it's one that will resonate more with older audiences or adults who can understand the deeper emotional layers, especially when you consider the real-world context surrounding the voices of the actors. Ultimately, All Dogs Go to Heaven is a film that's filled with heart, but it's not a movie I would revisit. The emotional weight of the ending, combined with the tragic passings of both Judith Barsi and, later, Burt Reynolds, leaves the film feeling much darker than I initially expected. While it is a good movie with an important message about redemption, the emotional toll it takes is significant, and I think that's worth considering before watching it. Rated 3/5 Stars •  Rated 3 out of 5 stars 07/10/25 Full Review Stephen C Success in 1 hour and 26 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! All ages admitted!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/14/25 Full Review J V 2 dogs get murdered, rise from the grave, kidnap a little girl who can talk to animals and use her to rig horse races. You know....for kids Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 05/06/25 Full Review Gianni M Got damn, i cried real hard in this movie Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/23/25 Full Review Liam D It’s Don Bluth at his most Don Bluth. An well animated film with an great cast but full of forgettable songs and an surprisingly mean spirited tone Rated 2.5/5 Stars •  Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 02/06/25 Full Review Alejandro O es una buena y cruda película, tomando en cuenta que es animada y de los años en que se hizo tiene buena animación, pero mas que todo es una película adulta, recomendable 100% y sobre todo el drama no se deja esperar. Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/05/25 Full Review Read all reviews

All Dogs Go to Heaven

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