Starring: Bonnie Hunt, Nicholle Tom, Paul Rudd, Jack Black
The slobber, the shedding, and the soaring orchestral score are back! Beethoven 9: The Giant Return brings the beloved St. Bernard franchise home, proving that the chaotic, lovable legacy of the Newton family lives on—and it’s messier than ever before.
The Perfect Home vs. The Perfect Dog
The story centers on Alice Newton (Bonnie Hunt), who has evolved into the loving, grounded matriarch of the family. She is dedicated to keeping the original family house—and the cherished, chaotic memory of her late husband, George Newton—alive and warm.
Chaos is officially ushered in when her eldest daughter, Ryce (Nicholle Tom), moves back into the expansive, old family home. Ryce is accompanied by her husband, Steve (Paul Rudd), a neurotic, fastidious clean-freak architect, and their two young children. Steve has recently completed designing and implementing his ideal, minimalist, highly automated “smart home” within the structure, dedicated to sleek lines and spotless surfaces.
However, Steve’s meticulous plans are immediately, dramatically ruined when a magnificent, floppy, 185-pound great-great-grandson of the original Beethoven mysteriously lands on their doorstep.
Slobber and Stardom
The film quickly devolves into a hilarious battle of wills: Steve frantically attempts to battle the relentless slobber, mud, and shedding to keep his pristine, automated house clean, while Alice and the children embrace the joyful, messy intrusion.
The situation escalates from domestic chaos to criminal intent with the arrival of the antagonist: a corrupt, fame-obsessed celebrity dog trainer (Jack Black). Black delivers a wickedly funny performance as the trainer, who is determined to kidnap the magnificent St. Bernard to feature as the centerpiece of a ludicrously viral, high-stakes reality TV show focused on canine agility and drama.
Heartwarming, hilarious, and filled with a nostalgic sense of family warmth, Beethoven 9: The Giant Return pays tribute to the original classic while exploring the enduring bond between generations. It ultimately proves that no amount of technology, smart-home automation, or architectural perfection can ever replace the messy, chaotic, and unconditional love of a giant, clumsy, and thoroughly unforgettable dog.