As Jan. comes to a close, “Dog Man” ends the month with a bang. To this day I love “Dog Man,” and it was always my go-to comic to read when I was a kid. The “Dog Man” film never falls short of silly humor, and is honestly a pretty good representation of what a “Dog Man” movie should be.
“Dog Man” navigates the challenges posed by Petey and his “evil plans.” Showcasing bravery and loyalty along the way, we see the true message of the film: behind every villain, there is a hero. Petey is the perfect villain with wonderful character development. He goes from the most mischievous cat of all time to a huge softie.
The plot aligns well with child-friendly humor while sprinkling adult comedy that’s tiny enough so the kids won’t notice. The quick and witty dialogue always kept the audience on its toes. The only element of the script that ruins the film for me is the fact that the main villain gives up after a single line of dialogue from him. I get it’s a film for kids but there were many different ways to end the film. On top of that, the script is filled with clever puns and wordplay, especially involving “Dog Man” and Petey.
The cinematography in the movie is stunning, even though it’s animated. The attention to detail within the backgrounds and foregrounds is so specific that I can notice details from earlier in the movie later on like wanted posters and signage from Petey’s “secret” lair torn up. The fight scenes also look great with the addition of classic action words like “POW,” “BOOM” and “BAM.” Each scene is used to depict the mood of the film really well. For example, while one scene showcases a dark, gloomy park, conveying depression, another showcases a nice sunny day, conveying joy and excitement.
In “Dog Man,” viewers see many cameos and gimmicks from previous books. Old friends, like Mecha Mailman 2000, 80 HD and even the kids from the “Captain Underpants” comic series, Harold Hutchins and George Beard, make appearances. The film also uses creative transitions that mimic flipping through comic book panels, giving viewers a sense of reading a comic while watching the story unfold. Additionally, they add speech bubbles that pop up during serious key moments to lighten the mood.
On top of the grade-A humor, cinematography and plot, the cast doesn’t disappoint. Cast members include Pete Davidson as Petey, Lil Rel Howery as the Chief, Ricky Gervais as Flippy and a dog as “Dog Man.” The group brings a mix of humor and heart to the film, making it an exciting watch for fans of all ages. If I was a kid when this came out, I’m sure I would still be fully confident that Pete Davidson is the perfect voice for Petey.
From the perfect little comics to the big screen, the “Dog Man” series has not disappointed. This movie is great. The only thing that holds it back from being five stars is the plot. I only wish the directors and producers paid as much attention to the plot as they did to everything else. There’s no doubt that there will be more “Dog Man” movies coming out, and, since this is only the first, I am so excited to see what will come up next.
“Dog Man:” ★★★★☆
