Overrated

Great Film overall

Pretty good movie overall. First half was nothing special but it got better as it went along.

It is neither dumb nor smart enough to be fun, and spends way too much time with its boring human characters.

Bizarre but truly original French thriller/black comedy that is strangely scary and disturbing even though you damn well know that the premise is pure and far-fetched fiction. The titular 'character' is a cool-looking bull terrier whose thoughts and impressions we follow throughout the entire movie. Baxter's life isn't very easy, as he keeps ending up with the wrong guardians. At first, he's given as a present to an elderly lady who clearly fears him and doesn't really want him in her house. When the lady dies under 'mysterious circumstances', Baxter is donated to the young and cheerful couple that lives on the other side of the street. For quite a while, everything goes well and Baxter is really happy in his new family…Until the couple's first baby is born. Baxter doesn't understand why he receives no more attention all of a sudden and sees the infant as a real threat for his own happiness. Baxter's final guardian is a lonely and introvert 11-year-old boy who teaches him tricks and commands. The kid has a dangerous interest in Hitler's persona, however, and he slowly turns Baxter into an aggressive killing machine. It may sound unbelievable, but I assure you it's very unsettling to hear a DOG hatching plots to kill people! Although there's absolutely no violence shown on screen, there are some very macabre things going on in this film and the atmosphere is almost unbearably tense. During several of Baxter's twisted monologues, you wonder what exactly goes on in the mind of man's best friend. We can all assume that our pets love us unconditionally, but who says they're not plotting to get rid of us? Also one of the reasons why Baxter comes across so spooky is because he talks through a very grim and monotonous voice. The actor who's credited as Baxter's voice – Maxime Leroux – would sure do a great job as a host of horror anthologies, or something. I particularly loved the climax of this ingenious French film. It shows that, no matter how egocentric and mean the dog is, it'll always be the human mind that is the most deranged…even when it's a child. Don't expect a happy ending here! Highly recommended!!

I do not know why it took me so long to see this movie, but it is absolutly amazing. This is a movie that I recommend everyone must see. Yes, it is very disturbing, and yes, you may feel disgusted, or even physical ill after seeing it, but it is a great film. Even if subtitles annoy you, take the time and watch this film. 10/10

I thought this movie was wickedly delicious at times, but at the same time is was downright depressing and had that feel of a car accident that you know you shouldn't be watching, but you keep your eyes glued to it anyway feel.Perhaps I'm a fool, but here's my major complaint: I could not tell that this was such a dark movie just from the box. I picked it up at the video rental store thinking it would be some kind of cute flick about a dog doing social commentary. The box neglected to mention that it was a sick existential journey into the mind of a sociopathic pit bull who lives only to serve himself and destroy others.I'll grant that the movie was hilarious in one part where Baxter is shown a baby and he comments on how disgusting this "bag of flesh" is. With lines like, "I thought they were trying to apologize to me for this mess they had conceived," you can't help but crack up. As for the rest of the movie though, I found myself shifting around uncomfortably a great deal more.

Even tho' I don´t like French movies, "Baxter" amazed me. The little bull-terrier dog looking forward killing or not (revealing the thoughts that pass through its mind). The scary young boy with an angel face who shows a growing dark side. Their disturbing friendship. These things make the plot very attractive and original. By the way: the final scenes are to be remembered. I give this title a 7.5 out of 10.