For his debut feature, John Hoffman wrote and directed this effects-heavy family film based on the story Dogs from Outer Space by Zeke Richardson. Produced by Jim Henson Productions, Good Boy! presents the idea that dogs are actually an intelligent alien species sent to earth thousands of years ago to spy on humans in preparation for a full-scale invasion and takeover. But when the spies stop reporting back to the home planet, Canid 3942 (voiced by
Matthew Broderick) is sent to earth to investigate. Once there, Canid 3942 encounters Owen Baker (
Liam Aiken), a young boy who runs a dog-walking service. Owen befriends the space-dog, renaming him Hubble. When it becomes obvious that the dogs of earth have forgotten their mission, Hubble enlists the help of Owen to get them all into shape before The Great Dane arrives to inspect. If they fail, all of earth's dogs will be recalled to their home planet of Sirius. With
Kevin Nealon and
Molly Shannon as Owen's parents, Good Boy! also features the voice talents of
Brittany Murphy,
Carl Reiner,
Megan Mullally, and
Donald Faison. ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide