Kids and dogs make a perfect match -- they have little expectations from each other. That’s why small children will probably love Marmaduke. However, should adults have to watch this offering along with the kiddies, they are in for a clichéd no-brainer of a movie.

Based on the very popular comic book about a giant Great Dane, the movie relates a story concerning the Winslow kids who find out their dad (Lee Pace) has an exciting new job opportunity. The only problem? They have to uproot and move to Orange County, CA.

Daughter Barbara (Caroline Sunshine) complains the most, for she can’t bear to lose her friends. Younger brother Brian (Finley Jacobsen) says he’s okay with the move. But once enrolled at a new school, he doesn’t even tell his dad he’s not really playing soccer -- but skateboarding with new friends instead.

Humans are not the stars of this live-action comedy. Marmaduke (voiced by Owen Wilson), Carlos the cat (voiced by George Lopez) and a slew of other dog-park roaming canines get the spotlight here. Phil Winslow’s new job is working for a pet food company. When his boss (William Macy) tells Phil to bring his dog to the park to discuss business, Marmaduke makes the trip. While in the park he soon learns he may be the biggest dog there, but he has no status.

The rest of the movie entails Marmaduke’s face-off with Bosco (voiced by Keifer Sutherland), and a wrong-choice romance with some hard lessons to learn.

I feel Marmaduke contains too much negativity and bad behavior. Therefore, I can’t recommend it for young children. And, I think anyone over 12 is likely to be bored. That narrows the audience quite a bit. Perhaps this one should be placed on your wait-for-DVD list.

Still, I did enjoy the complete CGI dog dance at the end. It was hilarious, so be sure to stay for the credits.

(Released by 20th Century Fox and rated “PG” for some rude humor and language.)

Review also posted at www.reviewexpress.com.