`HOMEWARD BOUND' ENTERTAINS ALL AGES

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, February 13, 1993                   TAG: 9302130236
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: 2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: CHRIS GLADDEN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium
`HOMEWARD BOUND' ENTERTAINS ALL AGES
"Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey" proves that old-fashioned, family-oriented Disney entertainment can continue to find new audiences. The junior critics, 5 and 10, gave it resounding raves and the movie has enough humor and pretty scenery to keep adults engaged as well.
This is essentially a remake of Disney's 1963 "The Incredible Journey," which was based on Sheila Burnford's children's book. The live-action story focuses on three family pets who are separated from their owners and then embark on a perilous journey home.
In this case, stars with substantial stature provide the voices.
Michael J. Fox speaks for Chance, a rambunctious and trouble-prone younger dog who narrates the story. Don Ameche provides the voice of Shadow, an older and wiser dog who tries to impart the philosophy of dogdom to the young upstart: Be loyal to your master. And Sally Field speaks for Sassy, an imperious cat who doesn't want much truck with canines at the beginning of the movie.
Their owners are three children whose mother has just remarried. Dad's job is taking the family to San Francisco, and the pets are being dropped off at a ranch until the return. Shadow, however, is afraid his boy might get in trouble and leads the trio on a wilderness odyssey with such obligatory dangers as mountain lions, raging streams and bears.
The humor seemed to particularly please the youngsters, as well as the sentiments of friendship and loyalty. Though there is no profanity, some of the slang for posteriors may not, ahem, sit well with parents. Though we try to discourage the B-word (for butt) in the house, we harbor no illusions that it's not dusted off in the back yard. So it didn't particularly trouble me.
Crisply directed by Duwayne Dunham, this "Incredible Journey" is one trip that won't bore the kids.

Homeward Bound ***: A Disney release at Salem Valley 8 (389-0444) and Tanglewood Mall Cinema (989-6165). Rated G; 85 minutes.

by Archana Subramaniam by CNB