KARATE DOG (2005)
“The Karate Dog,” a 2005 made-for-TV comedy directed by Bob Clark, blends crime-solving with absurd humor in a family-friendly package. The story follows Peter Fowler (Simon Rex), an LAPD computer expert investigating the murder of Chin Li (Pat Morita), an elderly man killed by a masked ninja Chihuahua in Chinatown. The only witness is Chin Li’s dog, Cho Cho (voiced by Chevy Chase), a talking canine with martial arts skills. Cho Cho, trained by Chin Li, can speak to humans but follows a rule to only talk to those seeking truth, making Peter—creator of a Siri-like device called COLAR—his ideal partner.
The duo uncovers a conspiracy tied to Hamilton Cage (Jon Voight), Chin Li’s former employer and a shady businessman with a Southern drawl. Cage runs a greyhound racing track and has developed a drug to boost canine speed, planning to test it on humans. Chin Li’s death was ordered after he threatened to expose this scheme. Peter and Cho Cho dodge ninja attacks and Tracker dogs—robotic enforcers—while teaming with Ashley Wilkenson (Jaime Pressly), a patrol cop with detective ambitions and a budding romance with Peter. Nicollette Sheridan voices a sassy white cat aiding their quest.
The climax pits Cho Cho against Cage in a karate showdown, with the dog’s moves—enhanced by clunky CGI—securing victory as Cage overdoses on his own drug. Peter clears his name, saves the day, and bonds with Ashley, while Cho Cho avenges his master. Shot on a tight budget, the film’s low-rent effects and over-the-top acting (Voight’s Foghorn Leghorn-esque villainy steals scenes) earn it a so-bad-it’s-good reputation. Critics slammed its silliness, but its oddball charm—talking animals, doggy puns, and a breakdancing pup—makes it a cult curiosity for B-movie buffs.
