Movie Review: ‘Dog Man’ | Moviefone

DreamWorks Animation’s ‘Dog Man’, directed by Peter Hastings.

‘Dog Man’ receives 6 out of 10 stars.

Opening in theaters on January 31st, ‘Dog Man’ is proof that there is surely no children’s book that DreamWorks Animation won’t try to adapt for its ever-hungry franchise machine.

Yes, if you thought ‘The Boss Baby’ was the wildest source material the company could track down, you’ve clearly never seen 2017’s ‘Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie,’ the first DreamWorks title to draw from Dav Pilkey’s particular style of books.

Will ‘Dog Man’ arrest your family’s time?

Chief (Lil Rel Howery) in DreamWorks Animation’s ‘Dog Man’, directed by Peter Hastings.

How much you appreciate ‘Dog Man’ might depend on your tolerance for very loud, extremely wacky shenanigans that also try to cram in a little heart to make the story work. There are few concessions to convention here, but the idea that this is based on kids’ work –– after all, the ‘Dog Man’ books were, in canon of the books, at least, created by the young heroes of ‘Captain Underpants’ –– really shines through.

Script and Direction

‘Dog Man’ director Peter Hastings. Photo: DreamWorks Animation.

Peter Hastings pulled triple duty on this one, adapting Pilkey’s book into the script, directing and providing the voice for Officer Knight, Greg the dog and their eventual, post-accident combination, Dog Man.

As a writer, he really has channeled the anarchic feel of the ‘Captain Underpants’ universe, where ‘Dog Man’ was first created. Younger children in particular will thrill to the wilder moments, such as giant buildings being brought to life and the idea of characters’ howls turning into letters that litter the ground after they fall.

As director, he has conjured up the look of the ‘Dog Man’ books, adapted for 3D animation, in bouncy, squishy, hectic form. Again, the visual style will primarily appeal to younger audiences, while parents might at time regret bringing them to see this one.

‘Dog Man’: Performances

Around Hastings’ main character, the cast is loaded with comedy talent.

Peter Hastings as Dog Man

Peter Hastings voices Dog Man in DreamWorks Animation’s ‘Dog Man’, directed by Peter Hastings.

It’s perhaps sometimes stretching things to say Hastings performs as Dog Man, but he does infuse the character’s barks with solid heart and comedy value.

Pete Davidson as Petey

Pete Davidson voices Petey in DreamWorks Animation’s ‘Dog Man’, directed by Peter Hastings.

While Davidson’s style in live-action might not to be to everyone’s taste, but he’s definitely the right person to voice the scheming, chaotic feline who is Dog Man’s nemesis in the books.

He certainly embraces the wacky style of the voice characterizations in general and appears to be having a blast bringing the character to life.

Isla Fisher as Sarah Hatoff

Isla Fisher voices Sarah Hatoff in DreamWorks Animation’s ‘Dog Man’, directed by Peter Hastings.

Ohkay City’s (where story is set), ace reporter, Sarah is firmly in the April O’Neil mold, forever chasing the next story, and becoming wrapped up in Dog Man’s story.

Fisher brings a likeable, funny energy to the part.

Lil Rel Howery as Chief

Lil Rel Howery voices Chief in DreamWorks Animation’s ‘Dog Man’, directed by Peter Hastings.

Dog Man’s forever frustrated boss, Chief is perpetually under pressure from city authorities including the Mayor, who makes big demands on his time.

Howery is a shouty, entertaining presence in the movie.

Stephen Root as Grampa

Root, a comedy veteran, was a solid idea to play Petey’s delinquent father, and makes him an almost entirely unsympathetic character. It’s a testament to the movie that it doesn’t try to cram in an emotional arc for at least this character.

Ricky Gervais as Flippy

Ricky Gervais voices Flippy in DreamWorks Animation’s ‘Dog Man’, directed by Peter Hastings.

A telekinetic fish who is dead when the story begins but is brought back to life by the Living Spray Factory (you really just have to embrace the weirdness here), Flippy is a major antagonist.

And while, like Davidson, Gervais can be a divisive figure, he makes for a watchable villain, fully understanding the assignment.

Butler (Poppy Liu) in DreamWorks Animation’s ‘Dog Man’, directed by Peter Hastings.

Poppy Liu as Butler

One of the comic highlights of the movie, Butler is Petey’s sarcastic aide, always ready with a dry comment or quip, and the running joke about the money he owes her is one of the better examples in the script.

Final Thoughts

Dog Man (Peter Hastings) in DreamWorks Animation’s ‘Dog Man’, directed by Peter Hastings.

‘Dog Man’ really does evoke the look and comedy of Pilkey’s work. It’s certainly more approachable than, say, the confusing likes of the web series ‘Skibidi Toilet’ and blends zany antics with some decent gags (our favorite was probably the Indifferent Store, which remarks “meh” when brought to life).

Though some kids were a little restless at the screening we attended, it should at least capture the imagination of the books’ fans.

What’s the plot of ‘Dog Man’?

When a human police officer named Knight and his dog Greg are injured together on the job, a life-saving surgery changes the course of history when Dog Man is born. Dog Man (Peter Hastings) must protect and serve as he doggedly pursues the feline Petey the Cat (Pete Davidson), but the unexpected arrival of Li’l Petey (Lucas Hopkins) changes their dynamic

Who is in the voice cast of ‘Dog Man’?

Peter Hastings as the vocal effects of Dog Man

Pete Davidson as Petey

Lucas Hopkins as Li’l Petey

Lil Rel Howery as Chief

Isla Fisher as Sarah Hatoff

Billy Boyd as Seamus

Ricky Gervais as Flippy the Fish

Stephen Root as Grampa

Poppy Liu as Butler

(from left) Li’l Petey (Lucas Hopkins Calderon) and Dog Man (Peter Hastings) in DreamWorks Animation’s ‘Dog Man’, directed by Peter Hastings.

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