Review: Manic and emotional, animated ‘Dog Man’ hides parental anxiety under its fur
Don’t worry, “Dog Man” is here to liven up your family’s January movie outings! Based on the beloved kids’ books by Dav Pilkey (a spin-off from the “Captain Underpants” series), this film brings a goofy, self-referential vibe through writer-director Peter Hastings. The end result is an adorable, energetic animated feature that, while fun, may lack in a tightly constructed storyline.
Hastings and their team preserve a playful illustration style in the books, featuring crayon strokes and shading on straightforward characters. Additionally, they use conversational, informal language, such as referring to law enforcement officers as “supa cops” and significant buildings as “ova there”.
The story “Dog Man” seems reminiscent of a whimsical bedtime tale spun by a father, with a charming childlike style. The character’s origin is swiftly introduced: Officer Knight, a dedicated cop, and his loyal canine companion Greg, make an effective duo (Greg being the brains behind their operations). However, after a devastating explosion leaves them injured, medical intervention leads to the creation of Dog Man – a hybrid of Officer Knight and Greg’s head. This unusual character finds success despite the disapproval of his superior, Chief (portrayed by Li’l Rel Howery), and wins over local television reporter Sarah Hatoff (played by Isla Fisher).
Dog Man’s arch-enemy is a wicked orange tabby cat named Petey (Pete Davidson), who revels in creating increasingly cunning robots to defeat his adversary. On the other hand, Dog Man frequently imprisons Petey in Cat Jail, but he always manages to break free. However, everything shifts when Petey, tired of his assistant Butler (Poppy Liu), creates a duplicate of himself, giving birth to a cute orange kitten called Little Petey (Lucas Hopkins Calderon).
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Stepping into the fray of the wildly entertaining “Dog Man,” it’s Li’l Petey who brings a touch of stability and clarity amidst the whirlwind of chaos. The film, brimming with visual richness, rapid dialogue, and self-referential wit, can at times feel like a fast-paced blur of details. However, its emotional depth shines through, particularly in its exploration of themes such as found family and the unique fears and trials that come with nurturing a miniature reflection of oneself.
The story ‘Dog Man’ is a heartfelt exploration of parenthood, particularly from a young father’s viewpoint. It draws parallels with films like ‘Die Hard’ and ‘RoboCop’, emphasizing the modern/Gen X dad perspective. Petey, feeling remorseful, asks “What have I done with my life?” as Li’l Petey cries, while also questioning “If I made you, why aren’t you like me?” when he realizes his miniature self isn’t as fond of mischief as he is. Abandoned by Petey, in a repetition of his own childhood pain, Dog Man steps in to save the young kitten and teaches him the importance of kindness, which later leads Li’l Petey to wisely say, “Love isn’t just a feeling, it’s also an action.
The tender motifs serve as the foundation for an otherwise playful and childish narrative centered around Flippy, an evil fish brought back to life, who was created by Petey with the intention of causing destruction among all Do-Gooders. Intriguingly, Flippy transforms Ohkay City into massive monsters resembling kaiju. This plotline merges into a chaotic and amusing symphony, primarily acting as a launchpad for Petey’s path to redemption.
In a standout voice acting performance, Davidson brings an irascible charm to Petey, making him a memorable character in the movie. The portrayals of Petey and Li’l Petey’s characters shine as the highlights of the film, their well-crafted character development proving more captivating than the silent bravery displayed by Dog Man.
Despite its short 89-minute length, the movie doesn’t offer much to expand its plot or background. Yet, the themes of kindness and understanding it presents are deeply meaningful, serving as a reminder that stories of goodness prevailing over wickedness remain relevant, even when they seem hard to find in our current world.
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2025-02-01 05:01