The new adaptation of Dav Pilkey’sDog Manattempts to capitalize on the momentum and popularity of its parent series,Captain Underpants, but something is missing inDog Man. While it’s hard to argue with the inherent appeal of a crime-fighting super-dog,Dog Manconsistently bites off more than it can chew.It stars Pete Davidson, Isla Fisher, Lil Rel Howery, and Ricky Gervais, to mention a few of the big names who populate the cast. The film was clearly made with love, but it packs in so many conflicting storylines that it gets difficult to keep track.
Dog Man
Cast
Dog Man is a family film where a police dog and his officer are fused into one being after an accident. Now a half-canine hero, Dog Man balances his duties to protect the city and impress his Chief while facing off against the cunning feline villain, Petey the Cat.
Due to the recent influx of enormously popular and high-quality children’s animated movies,a high bar has been set for films likeDog Man.Unfortunately, I can’t help but feel the movie is talking down even to its target audience. I went intoDog Manintending to meet the movie where it’s at and not unjustly judge a story not made for me. However, I’ve seen the best of what kid’s animation has to offer. I know there’s a more emotionally compelling and universal story insideDog Man, not to mention a better-crafted one.
Dog Man Can’t Decide What Kind Of Movie It Wants To Be
The Story & Themes Of Dog Man Lack Cohesion & Balance
Visually, the animation style ofDog Manis imaginative, but it’s nothing we haven’t seen before. Standing out is difficult in the contemporary landscape of animation, especially when you have to adhere to the source material.The animators and production team, led by director Peter Hastings, were having a lot of fun,and the movie is at its best when it’s trying to make you laugh. Of course, the jokes are silly and immature, but that’s part of the joy of watching a film likeDog Man. The narrative gets bogged down in its attempts to be serious.
Dog Man’s biggest issue is a lack of tonal balance.Thestory is almost shockingly darkat times,grappling with death, loss of identity, and the cycles of abuse and abandonment in childhood. However, just as we’re sitting with an objectively heavy scene, the tension is broken or completely undercut. Additionally, the amount of story threadsDog Mantries to reconcile is absurd for a children’s movie. If the narrative had been pared down and focused, the humor and sensitivity of the project could’ve shone.
Since Dog Man doesn’t have any lines, just a few barks, and many whimpers, it’s the supporting characters who make the world real.
Despite this,Dog Man’s voice castdoes their best to grapple with the script’s whiplash, giving the darker elements as much weight as possible. The real star isn’t the titular character, but Petey the Cat, voiced by a surprisingly sensitive Davidson. Since Dog Man doesn’t have any lines, just a few barks, and many whimpers, it’s the supporting characters who make the world real. Unfortunately,Dog Manspreads itself too thin at every turn,cutting away from Petey and his emotional development just as it’s becoming truthful.
Outside the narrative structure, there are plenty of strong elements, like the final mecha-style battle that rounds out the final act and the way the world is designed. Fans of the books will have no trouble recognizing some of the strongest elements of Pilkey’s work and easily give in to being transported toDog Man's whacky reality.The internal logic of the world is sound and consistent,creating an anchor for when the story gets swept away by its lofty ambitions.
Dog Man Talks About A Lot Without Saying Anything
Despite Its Many Plot Threads & Happily Ever After, You Don’t Leave Dog Man Feeling Satisfied
Dog Manis trying to tackle too many themes and morals at once, creating a mess instead of a cohesive and accessible lesson. Even though the movie supplies the expected beat of the final battle and sees the villains learn the error of their ways, the narrative ends with a whimper, not a howl. Slowly petering out while making sure to pave the way for a sequel,Dog Man’s ending goes on for a little too long and doesn’t get a handle on its pacing.It’s painfully reflective of the problems that haunt every moment of the film.
Children will appreciate the humor and visual gags ofDog Man, but the adults accompanying them might be a little unsettled by the end of the story. While it’s a mistake to underestimate what children can handle and think that kid’s movies can’t be nuanced, these stories still have to be good.Dog Mansomehow manages to over and underestimate its audience throughout the narrative, leaving even the least critical viewer confused. IfDog Manwas trying to set itself up for a franchise and the kind of blockbuster success animated movies found in 2024, it would take a miracle.
