As we settled into the movie theater seats with our buttered popcorn and sparkling Dr. Peppers, we prepared ourselves for what we thought would be a silly kids’ movie. We were soon surprised and delighted at the world Dog Man created, bringing us into the comics from our childhood.
Dog Man, directed by Peter Hastings and released in 2025, is an exciting film and an excellent example of enjoyable media, leading us to rate it 5 stars.
The movie is an adaptation of a children’s book series that was originally released in 2016 by Dav Pilkey. The series follows Dog Man, who is a “Supa-Cop,” which was created after a policeman and his faithful dog were involved in an accident on the job.
The accident left the dog paralyzed from the waist down and the policeman without a functional head. The hospital decided to stitch the dog’s head onto the policeman’s body, creating Dog Man. The movie follows Dog Man’s quest to capture and successfully jail the evil protagonist, Petey the Cat. Petey, however, has his own problems when a cloning attempt goes wrong, leaving him in the care of young and sweet Lil’ Petey, the complete opposite of himself.
This movie grabs your attention from the beginning and keeps it with components such as its beautiful animation. The fight scenes are lively and engrossing, bringing the viewer into the world and making the story come alive. Its art style is also very faithful to the comic´s exciting and vivid quality, leaning into the over-the-top and flamboyant tone Pilkey created. The scenes are incredibly smooth, bringing the scribble-like illustrations from the comic to life in a fun, exciting, and eye-catching manner.
For example, the ending fight scene with Flippy the Fish is straight out of the books. The illustrious and vibrant drawings perfectly convey the chaotic, intense, but still entertaining sequence.
Dog Man is also a faithful adaptation, combining storylines from the first three books in the series. With the traditional and classic Petey fights from the first book, the fun Flippy fights from the second book, and the heartwarming shenanigans of Lil’ Petey, the movie not only adapts the stories, but makes them feel cohesive and well-balanced.
Some may think viewers would find the combination confusing and unclear, but the storylines mesh together in a way that makes it hard to doubt they weren’t originally written that way. The movie perfectly adapts from page to screen despite its separated beginnings.
Familiar and beloved characters from the original series are also portrayed very well, with each voice actor perfectly capturing the essence and inflection of the original depiction. Even without any dialogue, Peter Hastings did an incredible job as Dog Man. He made him a relatable character from beginning to end, pulling on heartstrings with his charming personality and adorable friendship with Lil’ Petey.
Pete Davidson skillfully adapts Petey, using his sarcastic dictation and acting to bring Petey to life. Lucas Hopkins Calderon, the voice of Lil’ Petey, really captures the innocence and sweetness that Lil’ Petey embodies.
While some viewers argue that the movie is oversimplified or even pointless, it is actually a perfect mix of fun and meaning.
With a combination of perfectly timed jokes told by talking houses and cats, heartwarming character relationships, and excellent voice actor casting, the movie takes the moronic mushy children’s film stereotype and flips it on its head with the meaningful relationship between Petey, Little Petey, and Dog Man. These three unlikely characters come together to fight the threat to their city, with Petey even putting aside his evil heart and selfishness to save the very cat he wanted to get rid of, showing true character development and growth.
Dog Man is unique because of its blend of humor and creativity, relatable characters, and engaging storylines. Its distinctive combination of comic book elements and animation stands out. The film has a playful tone that appeals to both kids and adults. The themes of friendship and bravery resonate well, making it a fun watch for everyone.
This film exceeded all expectations, turning out to be an entertaining movie for all audiences. Dog Man uses its silly beginnings as a playspace for imagination, creating a comedic sensation that pushes the boundaries of “just another family-friendly movie” and creates a comforting and fun movie, earning 5 stars from us.