Dog Man Review: An Entertaining Animation Bursting with Life

by

In town now, a fresh superhero has made an appearance: Dog Man, the latest big-screen animated adaptation following the success of Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie in 2017. Penned by Peter Hastings, directed, and featuring himself as the lead, this spin-off tells the tale of a police officer who undergoes an extraordinary operation after being injured on duty, resulting in the creation of Dog Man – a unique character with a canine head and human body. As they join forces, they aim to thwart the villainous Petey the Cat from gaining global control. This movie offers a fun time for all ages, especially fans who have long admired the wit of author Dav Pilkey.

It’s delightful when an animated film truly embodies its unique aesthetic. This movie is a brilliantly faithful adaptation that captures the visual and atmospheric essence of comic book illustrations. From the outset, Dog Man bursts onto the screen with vigor and swift tempo. The story begins with an exhilarating action scene leading to the formation of our four-legged protagonist. After this transformation, he finds himself navigating a new life, learning that his girlfriend had moved on following the surgery.

This film is relentlessly engaging, constantly offering fresh visual humor or something captivating to observe. It never drags, which can be beneficial yet challenging at times. I find it hard to envision kids becoming even slightly bored during this movie. The climax, in particular, features some extraordinary plot twists that are quite entertaining to behold. However, the story progresses so swiftly that crucial moments don’t always have enough time to fully develop and resonate as effectively as they could.

In the film Dog Man, there are many praiseworthy characteristics. Standout performances come from Lil Rel Howery, who brings intensity as the grumpy police chief, and Pete Davidson delivers an impressive portrayal of the malevolent Petey the Cat. However, it’s newcomer Lucas Hopkins Calderon who may steal the show with his heartwarming performance as Li’l Petey, a sweet kitten duplicate of Petey who sees the world in a positive light. Every word that comes from Li’l Petey is irresistibly cute, and I cherished every moment he was on screen. Ricky Gervais also adds humor to the movie with his role as Flippy the Fish, although his voice work here shares some similarities with his performance in the 2022 animated film Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank.

In a delightfully amusing manner, the text effectively brings laughter. Abundant with mini jokes, it’s a riot watching the power-hungry antagonist, Petey, unexpectedly find himself in diaper duties for Li’l Petey. The stark contrast between their perspectives creates an engaging duality. Petey, embittered by his father abandoning him at a tender age, harbors a cynical outlook on life. In stark contrast, Li’l Petey, being fresh to the world, maintains an optimistic view of others. It’s heartening to see that Petey has a backstory explaining his pessimism and that he’s a product of his past traumas.

The film Dog Man showcases an abundance of imaginative concepts and a core that tugs at the heartstrings, particularly as Dog Man forms a powerful connection with Li’l Petey. This movie takes place in a madcap world where almost anything can happen. However, the concern arises with the speed at which it unfolds, failing to provide ample moments for emotional investment, especially towards the main character. After the initial stages, the growth and development of Dog Man as a character seem to halt. This makes it more challenging to empathize with him, given that he’s the sole character who doesn’t speak verbally, and eventually, the narrative veers away from his personal journey and transformation into a hybrid human-canine being.

If the movie had explored more about the inner thoughts of the character, it would have created a more intriguing interaction. However, despite forming a bond with Li’l Petey, the payoff is not fully realized emotionally because his desire for fatherhood wasn’t established prior to his transformation. Unfortunately, the speed at which events unfold doesn’t allow enough time to delve into this aspect. Eventually, the film shifts its focus towards Petey and his relationship with Li’l Petey and his father. It’s worth noting that Petey is a more captivating character compared to our main protagonist, who ends up being overshadowed by him.

One key scene in the closing act is heartbreakingly sad, revealing a harsh truth often overlooked in children’s films. However, the movie swiftly moves past it. Despite its stunning visuals, Dog Man stood out less to me than the villain, who eventually takes center stage. Unlike Dog Man, Petey has a clear character development arc. Moreover, many of the main events seem to be propelled by forces other than Dog Man himself. Nevertheless, this movie manages to amuse and maintain an unusual energy for a full 90 minutes.

SCORE: 6/10

According to the review guidelines at ComingSoon, a rating of 6 translates to “Decent.” However, it doesn’t quite live up to its potential and offers a standard, ordinary experience.

Disclosure: ComingSoon attended a press screening for our Dog Man review.

Read More

2025-01-29 20:11