Whimsical, well-crafted comedy-mystery in which detective Chevy Chase returns to Earth in the body of that charming little mutt, Benji. A surprisingly adult film in several ways -- there's some middle level profanity and as much wit and pathos as there is cuteness. [11 July 1980, p.8]
A scruffy but appealing light entertainment, the movie owes its unexpected charm to the fact that comedian and dog seem to complement and humanize each other. [09 Sep 1980, p.C3]
Oh Heavenly Dog is diverting enough for its dog tricks - I like dog tricks, don't get me wrong - but it otherwise shows few signs of life, and many signs of depressing modernism.
It's a total miscalculation from beginning to end, inspired by an idiotic decision to increase the average age of the Benji audience by starring him in a movie rated PG.