The script isn’t the only problem, as the film can at times feel just like being repeatedly barked at for two hours. He’s wonderful here also, lending a charm and sincerity to Bailey and his counterparts that, helped by some top notch animal acting, allows the audience into the dog’s ‘headspace’ even when the writing leaves a lot to be desired. Gad is having a bit of a moment this summer with Beauty And The Beast still making zillions of dollars at the box office, and we already know that he gives good loveable voiceover from his role as Olaf in Frozen. That said, it’s the first half of the film that feels most packed with familiar cliches.
#A DOGS PURPOSE RATING MOVIE#
After this section of the movie wraps up it’s hard to bond with other owners, but then the film doesn’t really want you to. As Ethan grows older he begins dating Hannah (Britt Robertson, great here as always) and plans to leave for college. We spend the most time with Bailey and his first family, as young Ethan finds solace and companionship with his dog while growing up in a tumultuous household. There’s abuse (human and animal alike), puppy farms and more hardship besides.Īs a side note, a lot of criticism of A Dog’s Purpose will likely dwell on the allegations (ultimately unveiled as false) of animal cruelty levelled at the film during production, which have become entwined with the marketing and conversations surrounding the movie. It feels more or less okay, because Gad’s cheerful voiceover kicks in immediately and assures us that dog reincarnation is a thing, but this is just one of the many dark moments the film leans into. Over the course of the 120-minute running time we follow the travelling soul of a dog in various different doggie bodies, starting with Bailey – owned by Riverdale’s non-ginger KJ Apa as a young Dennis Quaid – then moving on to police dog Ellie (yes the dog switches gender, but is still voiced by Josh Gad), then faithful companion Tino and, finally, Buddy.Īs family-friendly as the trailers make A Dog’s Purpose look – and it’s so twee in places that your cringe-tolerance will be thoroughly tested – this is the kind of film that euthanizes a cute puppy within the first five minutes.
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Bruce Cameron’s novel landing in cinemas this May, travels in and, despite sparks of creativity and darkness here and there, it never moves much beyond low expectations.
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Well that’s basically the two modes A Dog’s Purpose, Lasse Hallström’s surprisingly existential pup movie based on W. I don’t know if you’ve realised this, but dogs are quite cute.