SNOW DOGS (PG)

THIS is top pedigree family entertainment, founded on a ridiculous plot with plenty of laughter, spills and thrills - and hordes of cuddly critters.

Family dentist Ted Brooks (Cuba Gooding Jr) runs a highly successful practice in Miami with best friend Rupert (Sisqo).

Learning he is the main beneficiary in a will, Ted heads north to the remote Alaskan settlement of Tolketna, where he discovers his bequest is a rundown shack and a team of prizewinning sled dogs.

Ted and the mischievous mutts clash at first, and he contemplates selling them to a curmudgeonly local - Thunder Jack (James Coburn).

Thankfully, bar owner Barb (Joanna Bacalso) helps Ted to see the error of his ways, and to win the dogs' respect and trust.

When Thunder Jack goes missing during the annual dog race in atrocious weather conditions, Ted risks his life - and those of his canine chums - to save the day.

Snow Dog follows the Disney family movie template to the letter, creating an inoffensive yet highly entertaining fish-out-of-water comedy.

The plot throws up plenty of preposterous surprises, not least the discovery that Thunder Jack is Ted's biological father.

Much of the comedy revolves around sight gags - Ted slips on ice, is chased by a ravenous grizzly bear, is dragged for miles behind a sled after his foot gets caught in the reins.

Gooding Jr delivers his performance full volume, with tongue firmly in cheek, and Coburn offers scenery-chewing support.

Youngsters will love all the pratfalls, and the crazy facial expressions of the dogs - thanks to computer trickery - as they outwit the humans.

Parents will just be glad of a film that keeps the little ones engrossed for the full 90 minutes, and may even find a small lump in their throats, brought on by a rousing feelgood finale.