Dog Man: Wau gegen Miau

Rating - 8.0: Overall, he's a dog, but he's also a man.

Direction - Pretty Good to Good: The direction on a macroscale is very true to the source material as it is very silly, goofy, and cartoonish; the direction on a microscale is very much similar to other kids' movies, but has some more mature jokes and an overall adorable feel that makes it enjoyable for adults too; the storytelling feels very similar to other Dave Pilkey properties with how silly and meta it is

Story - Good: The concept is cinema because he is a dog but he is also a man; the plot structure is pretty linear and typical of other children's movies as they speed through the plot in less than ninety minutes; Character writing is amazing because he is very much a dog but he has qualities that also make him a man

Screenplay - Good: The dialogue is very silly, goofy fun, as the movie is filled with puns and jokes that are adorable; the humor is so silly and goofy that it makes the movie adorable

Acting - Pretty Good: Pete Davidson - Pretty Good (Very goofy and silly, it feels like a PG version of Pete Davidson), Lil Rel Howery - Pretty Good (He has good chemistry with Dog Man and is good comedic relief), Isla Fisher - Decent to Pretty Good (Really, just a standard reporter character but has some funny silly moments), Ricky Gervais - Decent to Pretty Good (Really out of character for him, as a movie like this cannot utilize any of his comedic strengths but does a decent job), Rest of the cast - Decent to Pretty Good (Just a lot of silly, goofy performances that help make this movie what it is; I really respect them for making Dog Man's character just a dog because it made him more adorable)

Score - Decent: Pretty minimal, as it is more just about establishing the tone

Editing - Good: Makes it feel very much like other Dave Pilkey books, with these fast, cartoonish montages interwoven into the movie

Sound - Good: Makes the movie feel very cartoonish and adorable

Animation - Very Good: Makes the movie look and feel very true to the source material; this is exactly how I would want to see a Dave Pilkey property adapted on the big screen

Pacing - Pacing is incredibly fast because the movie is less than 90 minutes

Climax - Climax is a big action montage and I wouldn't have had it any other way

Tone - The tone is very silly and goofy, which makes this an adorable children's movie.

What an incredibly weird and unique cartoon! Took my toddler daughter to see it and she was glued to the screen the entire film. The voice acting was on point and the animation was cool and different.

I didn't know how I felt about such a strange premise for a film, but it was written really well. Also, there was a short film before it called "The Bad Guys", which was hilarious and the perfect intro to the film. I don't know that it was on par with the original "Shrek" or "Prince of Egypt", but it's definitely worth a watch, especially if you have kids in the household.

In conclusion, check this film out; you won't regret it.

Of course there's room for improvement but I think they adapted the series nicely and the refrences give me so much nostalgia. There's some cringey unecessary scenes and some hints of that they should've conbined less books together to make it into a movie. The comic book style is great and overall not a bad movie, definitely better than SOME movie adaptations which says something. They probably could've hired a better voice actor for lil petey but whatever it could've been worse. Also since I didn't want to miss a second of the movie I had to hold my pee for like an hour which kinda worsened the experience but ANYWAY the animation is fire and I recommend watching this especially if you read the books.

This movie is a heartwarming animated adventure with a simple but powerful message: kindness can change the world.

The main character; a human-dog hybrid is highly endearing, and the story explores friendship, self-discovery, and compassion alongside a good cat character and a relatable villain.

The brisk yet under explored pacing suits younger audiences making it a great family film, though I would have preferred a more complex story with a deeper emotional arc.

The main climax while serviceable, could have been more impactful. Slower pacing in key moments would have allowed for better character development and a richer narrative.

The animation itself feels fresh and engaging, and Pete Davidson's voice work adds charm.

The first animated film of the year is a perfect family adventure full of hopeful messages and family-friendly humor with hints of irreverence that position it as a good family entertainment on screen.

A fun and enjoyable adaptation.

Dav Pilkey's comic book series is back on the big screen thanks to DreamWorks Animation, a studio that has already adapted one of his books, as it did with Captain Underpants. This time it's Dog Man's turn and the result is a fun adventure for the little ones but with a certain affection for the older ones when it comes to watching the film. This adaptation is quite charming and surprisingly emotional, giving us 89 minutes of pure fun with first-class animation and a rather pleasant humor that gives the feeling of watching a series of episodes of a series, which greatly benefits the film being a rather pleasant and satisfying pastime. Its striking color palette used by its director Peter Hastings keeps the viewer's interest at all times, adding that it has a very dedicated and fun cast of voices when it comes to depicting the situations.

It's a movie for children.

It is clear to mention that the main audience will be children, but it is also worth mentioning that adults will have their moments of affection within a script that invites everyone to join together and have a good time in front of the screen. Certainly, it will not be the highlight of the animation studio, but it is a film that does not disappoint and does not lower the level for a studio that has brought us great titles throughout its history. Although it is a film that is not completely rounded in its connections and in its small plots; however, children will be drawn to it where its humor is the key to all the visual success it has.

Conclusion.

A good start for the animation genre in 2025 that promises to bring interesting titles during the year. With Dog Man we had fun, we laughed and we were filled with hope for a correct adaptation, well executed and giving what it has to give to make you spend a pleasant time with your family in front of the screen with the adventures of our police canine.