Big Red Dog meets The Big Screen.
Clifford's Really Big Movie is a 2004 adventure-comedy movie based on the books of the same name (and loosely based on the PBS Kids' show). The movie was directed by Scholastic's producer Robert Ramirez.
After thinking he's burdening his family after overhearing a conversation between Mr. Bleakman and Emily Elizabeth’s parents, Clifford (with Cleo and T-Bone) joins up with a circus, "Larry's Amazing Animals" in order to enter a competition to win a lifetime supply of Tummy Yummies dog food, but claimed that their tags are fake because Larry won't include presently-owned animals in his act.
The movie is also dedicated to Clifford’s voice actor John Ritter.
Tropes for Clifford's Really Big Movie
- Amazing Technicolor Wildlife: As per usual, we do get some off-colored animals like a blue ferret, named Shackleford
- Art Evolution:
- A massive jump from the TV show it is based off of in terms of visuals, as it features far more elaborated and detailed backgrounds, on top of incorporating more advanced lighting and shading compared to the show's flat aesthetic. The humans and other dogs are also given white sclera and black eyes akin to Clifford instead of the Black Bead Eyes they had in the show.
- Big Bad: Though the movie itself focuses on Clifford, Cleo, and T-Bone's (mis)adventures with the circus animals, George Wolfsbottom does take the helm as one in the third act after the animals win the talent show, as the wealthy CEO of Tummy Yummies who kidnaps Clifford for his spoiled daughter Madison.
- Big Damn Heroes: Emily Elizabeth, near the end.
- Big Damn Movie: To the 2000 Clifford The Big Red Dog series. This trope came here just to see a big red dog.
- Finale Movie: This movie acts as one for the 2000 series, since the third season was canned and the reboot, despite being officially called season three, is a new continuity and a new take on the premise that barely has anything in common with its predecessor.
- The Movie: Serves as one for the 2000 television series.
- Object-Shaped Landmass: Birdwell Island, the place where Clifford lived, is shaped like a dog bone and can be seen in both the beginning and the end of the movie.
- Shout-Out: The trailer
for the movie with the music and shaking screen makes it look as though it’s a trailer for a Jurassic Park movie before the reveal that it’s actually Clifford. - Wicked Weasel: Shackleford, though, in his case, he's got the Green-Eyed Monster bit, which makes him do some questionable things. He is instrumental in helping to save the day but showing Clifford's tag to Larry.
