Dog Man Movie Review: This animation has heart, but misses its full potential
Dog Man Movie Review: Critics Rating: 3.5 stars, click to give your rating/review,‘Dog Man’ is based on the hugely popular children’s graphic novel series and makes for an entertaini
Critic's Rating: 3.5/5
Story: After a terrible accident, a police officer and his dog are fused together to save their lives—creating Dog Man - a heroic half-man, half-dog. His mission is to stop his arch-nemesis, Petey the Cat, who’s bent on spreading chaos.
Review: ‘Dog Man’ is based on the hugely popular children’s graphic novel series and makes for an entertaining watch. The film’s core message is that heroism isn’t about perfection—it’s about loyalty, kindness, and doing your best against the odds. With Dog Man as the unlikely hero, the story blends friendship, self-discovery, emotion, and humour. While the plot keeps you engaged, the film lacks impact—its characters fade quickly once it ends. Despite quirky and relatable figures and plenty of laughs, the narrative stays surface-level, with only Dog Man getting real depth. The animation is solid, but the voiceovers fall short—except for Lil Rel Howery as Chief, none leave a strong impression.
Dog Man follows the hilarious and action-packed journey of a unique hero born from an accident. When a brave police officer and his loyal dog are injured during a bomb defusal, doctors save them by fusing the dog’s head with the officer’s body—creating Dog Man. Quickly rising to fame for his crime-fighting skills, Dog Man wins the admiration of his boss but faces a persistent enemy: Petey the Cat, a chaos-loving inventor he's failed to catch in the past. The story takes a twist when Petey creates a clone, Li’l Petey, who unexpectedly calls him “Papa” and slowly teaches him the difference between right and wrong. When Li’l Petey lands in danger, Dog Man and Petey must put aside their rivalry to save him.
This animated film moves at a brisk pace, and at under 90 minutes, it can be a bit challenging to keep up with all the action. Dog Man, with his gooey eyes, is instantly lovable, while Chief’s frantic and quirky behaviour delivers the biggest laughs. Li’l Petey brings an innocent charm, and his adorable antics are one of the highlights. The scenes between Chief and Sarah Hatoff—the broadcast journalist and his love interest—stand out as the film’s best moments. However, the dynamic between Dog Man and Petey feels underdeveloped, and a deeper exploration of their evolving bond could have added more emotional depth.
Viewers familiar with the graphic novel will find plenty to enjoy in this adaptation, but those new to the source material may feel less engaged. The film kicks off strongly but loses focus midway, circling around the repetitive theme of Petey’s arrest. However, once Li’l Petey enters the frame, the narrative regains its rhythm and charm. It’s best not to compare this film with recent animated hits like ‘The Wild Robot,’ ‘Robot Dreams,’ or ‘Flow,’ which excelled across the board—from storytelling to score and animation. While ‘Dog Man’ boasts impressive animation and channels a modern-day Tom and Jerry vibe, it doesn’t quite reach the same heights. You’ll enjoy the ride while it lasts, but it’s wise to keep expectations in check.
Review: ‘Dog Man’ is based on the hugely popular children’s graphic novel series and makes for an entertaining watch. The film’s core message is that heroism isn’t about perfection—it’s about loyalty, kindness, and doing your best against the odds. With Dog Man as the unlikely hero, the story blends friendship, self-discovery, emotion, and humour. While the plot keeps you engaged, the film lacks impact—its characters fade quickly once it ends. Despite quirky and relatable figures and plenty of laughs, the narrative stays surface-level, with only Dog Man getting real depth. The animation is solid, but the voiceovers fall short—except for Lil Rel Howery as Chief, none leave a strong impression.
Dog Man follows the hilarious and action-packed journey of a unique hero born from an accident. When a brave police officer and his loyal dog are injured during a bomb defusal, doctors save them by fusing the dog’s head with the officer’s body—creating Dog Man. Quickly rising to fame for his crime-fighting skills, Dog Man wins the admiration of his boss but faces a persistent enemy: Petey the Cat, a chaos-loving inventor he's failed to catch in the past. The story takes a twist when Petey creates a clone, Li’l Petey, who unexpectedly calls him “Papa” and slowly teaches him the difference between right and wrong. When Li’l Petey lands in danger, Dog Man and Petey must put aside their rivalry to save him.
This animated film moves at a brisk pace, and at under 90 minutes, it can be a bit challenging to keep up with all the action. Dog Man, with his gooey eyes, is instantly lovable, while Chief’s frantic and quirky behaviour delivers the biggest laughs. Li’l Petey brings an innocent charm, and his adorable antics are one of the highlights. The scenes between Chief and Sarah Hatoff—the broadcast journalist and his love interest—stand out as the film’s best moments. However, the dynamic between Dog Man and Petey feels underdeveloped, and a deeper exploration of their evolving bond could have added more emotional depth.
Viewers familiar with the graphic novel will find plenty to enjoy in this adaptation, but those new to the source material may feel less engaged. The film kicks off strongly but loses focus midway, circling around the repetitive theme of Petey’s arrest. However, once Li’l Petey enters the frame, the narrative regains its rhythm and charm. It’s best not to compare this film with recent animated hits like ‘The Wild Robot,’ ‘Robot Dreams,’ or ‘Flow,’ which excelled across the board—from storytelling to score and animation. While ‘Dog Man’ boasts impressive animation and channels a modern-day Tom and Jerry vibe, it doesn’t quite reach the same heights. You’ll enjoy the ride while it lasts, but it’s wise to keep expectations in check.
