Dog Man (Peter Hastings) in DreamWorks Animation’s Dog Man, directed by Peter Hastings. (All photos by DreamWorks Animation)
Cut to the chase: Based on the 2016 graphic novel series by Dav Pilkey, “Dog Man” has found an endearing, hilarious, but undeniably heartfelt home on the silver screen. What legions of young readers adore about the 13-book series is perfectly captured in this rambunctious rendition that remains true to Pilkey’s origin story about a crime-busting superhero who is half man and half dog.
Synopsis of the Dog Man movie
Officer Knight and his canine sidekick Greg are a match made in law-upholding heaven. They work tirelessly on the police force protecting Ohkay City from all sorts of injustices, but their lives take a cruel twist when a freak accident renders Knight’s head and Greg’s body unserviceable. Their team of doctors concocts a drastic plan to save them both with no other option: Greg’s doggy noggin is sewn onto Knight’s human body, forming a superhero now known only as Dog Man. Aided by Police Chief (Lil Rel Howery) and news reporter Sarah Hatoff (Isla Fisher), Dog Man is the city’s only hope of intercepting the wild and often ridiculous plans of Petey (voiced by SNL alum Pete Davidson), who is dead set on taking down his mutt nemesis.
(from left) Chief (Lil Rel Howery) and Dog Man (Peter Hastings)
Running low on hair-brained schemes, Petey devises an ultra-devious plan, which finds the evil cat cloning himself. And so Li’l Petey (Lucas Hopkins Calderon) is born, except he isn’t the full-sized twin the feline foe has been imagining. This tot is innocent, naïve, and, worst of all, kind. Cast aside by his maniacal creator, Li’l Petey forms an unlikely friendship with Dog Man. Together, they have a chance at bringing Petey to the right side.
Li’l Petey (Lucas Hopkins Calderon) in DreamWorks Animation’s Dog Man
In a last-ditch effort, Petey resurrects Flippy, a cyborg fish that doesn’t appear in the book series until “Dog Man Unleashed” but is a staple of the stage production. Using “living gas,” Petey and Flippy bring the buildings of Ohkay City to magnanimous life. The ragtag former enemies must work together to stop the mega-stomping high-rises and save the town from destruction.
Doggone good time
Like the characters in the books, Dog Man can’t formulate words. Even with “awoos” and “grrrs,” provided by the film’s writer-director Peter Hastings, he says so much with so little. It is undoubtedly befuddling why the story’s villain, Petey, is an anthropomorphic cat has the gift of gab, but Dog Man, the film’s protagonist, does not. Like in the source material, however, Dog Man can communicate plenty with his expressions and physical intimations.
(from left) Li’l Petey (Lucas Hopkins Calderon) and Dog Man (Peter Hastings)
In many regards, Petey is the fuller, deeper character in this saga, not the headlining pooch. “Dog Man” isn’t simply the origin of its titular hero; the film focuses more on Petey’s evolution from an evil mastermind with unresolved daddy issues to, like Dr. Seuss’ Grinch, an emotionally maturing character discovering the beauty of relationships and the importance of working as a team. Pilkey’s book series is known for its sometimes crude jokes. While the film certainly has a few moments of potty punchlines, there is a much greater emphasis on situational humor and quick-witted comedy that adult viewers can enjoy.
(from left) Petey (Pete Davidson) and Flippy (Ricky Gervais) in DreamWorks Animation’s Dog Man, directed by Peter Hastings.
If you expect an intricate plotline that weaves through scenes and characters consistently and keeps a steady pace throughout, you are likely to be disappointed. “Dog Man” is here for the laughs, and it was made to delight young fans of the book, which, like Petey’s appropriately-named robot 80-HD, proves that hyperactivity and a lack of focus can make for a good watch, so long as there is a sense of humor and a healthy heaping of heart.
Dog Man movie: A familiar look and feel
Director Hastings described the animation style of this film as “high-end handmade,” which is perhaps the best description for the visuals in “Dog Man.” A team of veteran animators perfected the simplistic style readers have loved in the book series while adding a greater, more realized dimension to the images on the big screen. After all, the appeal of the book series for many young readers is its accessibility. My daughter once asked me if someone her age wrote and illustrated the “Dog Man” books, which wasn’t meant to be an insult. She meant that the books, their content, their humor, and their sensibilities called to her in ways that only another adolescent could put onto paper.
(from left) Dog Man (Peter Hastings) and Realtor (Melissa Villaseñor)
Much of Pilkey’s work is defined by this approachable informality. He isn’t below a fart joke, though he will sneak in a clever allusion that is likely to go above most reader’s heads. That same reference will make their parents laugh at his hidden wink or inspire young readers to look harder and think deeper about what the author is trying to say.
The artwork in the books are mainly crude renderings, with little details that remind readers Pilkey is conscientious in what he wants us to see and how he wants it presented. Similarly, the film is understated but still teems with life. The editing is so fast-paced that it would be impossible to catch every joke that screenwriter Hastings scrambles and cooks into each jam-packed minute of the film. Dog Man may be only half-dog, but his plight leaves no bones unburied, and his humanity shines brightly through.
Know before you go
MPAA Rating: PG for some action and rude humor
Recommended Age: 4+
Runtime: 89 minutes
Nightmare inducers: The aspect of this film that will most likely cause some viewer’s curiosity and possibly unlock new fears is sewing a dog’s head onto a human body. “What do they do with the man’s head?” “What happens if my head comes off?” Those were just some of the questions my two kids asked in the car ride home. (And they’ve read the books and are familiar with the property!) The film portrays this macabre scene in particular with silliness and easy matter-of-factness. Still, some kids may be made acutely aware of this newfound fragility to life and, in turn, the precarious nature of all bodies.
Complex concepts or emotions: Li’l Petey has been deserted by Petey, his creator and father figure, which leads to a few down-and-out sequences highlighting Li’l Petey’s sadness and abandonment. This mirrors Big Petey’s past; his father also left him. While his surprise reunion with his aged deadbeat dad is not the Hallmark moment one might expect, it does convey an admirable lesson about finding happiness and confidence within oneself and accepting love from whoever is willing to put the time and energy into giving it.
(from left) Petey (Pete Davidson) and Li’l Petey (Lucas Hopkins Calderon)
The hero experience: While Dog Man is available this weekend in most theaters in the greater Seattle area, check out Galaxy Theatres Monroe to get a full-throttle movie-going experience. They are offering a “Supa Saturday” on February 1 with special entertainment that includes “Dog Man”-themed activity sheets, games, a photo opp in the lobby, a scavenger hunt with themed prizes, and a free entry raffle for a chance to win a gift basket. At 1 p.m., an officer from the Monroe Police Department’s K9 unit will stop by for a demonstration. You can find out more about this and secure your tickets here.
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