[FILM REVIEW] DC LEAGUE OF SUPER-PETS Review (2022)
Summary: Follow a group of children who are evacuated Krypto the Super-Dog and Superman are inseparable best friends, sharing the same superpowers and fighting crime side by side in Metropolis. However, Krypto must master his own powers for a rescue mission when Superman is kidnapped.
Year: 2022
Cinema Release Dates: 15th August 2022 (Australia), 4th August 2022 (Thailand), 29th July 2022 (UK), 29th July 2022 (USA)
VOD Release Dates: TBA
Country: USA
Director: Jared Stern, Sam J. Levine
Screenwriter: Jared Stern, John Whittington
Cast: Amanda Ames (Guinea-Pigasus (voice)), Vanessa Bayer (PB (voice)), Winona Bradshaw (Whiskers (voice)), Yvette Nicole Brown (Patty (voice)), Jemaine Clement (Aquaman (voice)), Keith David (Dog-El (voice)), Davide Diggs (Cyborg (voice)), John Early (The Flash (voice)), Maya Erskine (Mercy Graves (voice)), Dan Fogler (Carl/Pilot/Racer (voice)), Kevin Hart (Ace (voice)), Lena Headey (Lara (voice)), Jameela Jamil (Wonder Woman (voice)), Dwayne Johnson (Krypto (voice)), John Krasinski (Clark Kent/Superman (voice)), Sam J. Levine (Boston Terrier aka Waffles/Robot Guards (voice)), Diego Luna (Chip (voice)), Natasha Lyonne (Merton (voice)), Marc Maron (Lex Luthor (voice)), Kate McKinnon (Lulu (voice)), Thomas Middleditch (Keith aka Ice Guinea Pig (voice)), Alfred Molina (Jor-El (voice)), Busy Philipps (Foofy Dog (voice)), Dasscha Polanco (Green Lantern (voice)), David Pressman (Corgi (voice)), Keanu Reeves (Batman (voice)), Ben Schwartz (Mark aka Fire Guinea Pig (voice)), Olivia Wilde (Lois Lane (voice)),
Running Time: 105 mins
Classification: PG (Australia), PG (UK), PG (USA)
OUR DC LEAGUE OF SUPER-PETS REVIEWS
David Griffiths’ DC League Of Super-Pets Review:
Dave’s rating Out Of 5
Kyle McGrath’s DC League Of Superpets Review:
DC League of Super-Pets is the animated family film we’ve all been waiting for, one which finally introduces Superman’s superdog! Everybody needs a best friend and Superman’s is Krypto (voiced by Dwayne Johnson), a canine who travelled all the way from Krypton with Supes and has thus all the same powers….except he’s a dog. When one of super villain Lex Luthor’s plans goes awry it results in several rescue animals inadvertently receiving incredible super powers. Chip the squirrel (Diego Luna) receives electro abilities, PB the pig (Vanessa Bayer) can change sizes, Merton the turtle (Natasha Lyonne) becomes super fast and their leader Ace the dog (Kevin Hart) becomes super resilient. Unfortunately for the city of Metropolis Luthor’s former test guinea pig the evil Lulu (Kate Mckinnon) has herself gained the power of telekinesis and plans to use it to capture the Justice League and enslave humanity! With Krypto struggling to come to terms with trusting anybody other than his beloved owner he must learn to rely on these four-legged superhero friends to help him save the day.
I think we can say without a doubt that Marvel won the cinematic universe rivalry with flying colours while DC’s exploded on the launching pad. However something I’ve appreciated from DC is the variety they have taken with their films, for how adult films like 2019’s Joker was there have been child orientated films like Teen Titans Go to the Movies which while clearly made for a younger audience still featured many in jokes which adult fans of the comics can appreciate. The idea of superhero animals may seem completely out of the blue just to make a kids film but almost all of these furry characters are in fact deep dives from the comics or were directly inspired by specific stories.
The director/writer team of Jared Stern and John Wittington who previously worked as writers on The Lego Batman movie bring the same high energy rapid fire humour which made that film such a hilarious success. A decidedly sillier look at the DC universe it’s humour lands more than it misses and children undoubtedly will have a ball with the slapstick comedy on screen.
I actually found the storyline of Super-Pets to be interesting if a little dumbed down and cliched, it is a kids film after all. Much of the plot revolves around the animals love for their humans and their need to protect, please or find an owner in the absence of one. Krypto’s personal issues with Superman & Lois Lane’s growing relationship and his fear of being pushed aside, Ace’s unfortunate history which led to him being in a rescue shelter and even Lulu’s motivations largely stem from her adoration of Lex Luthor despite being his literal lab test guinea pig. Super-Pets does a better job at introducing and making us care about this heroic league than even the Justice League film accomplished.
None of this would mean anything if it wasn’t for the talented voice cast behind it all. On one hand animated films can rely a little too much on stuntcasting as many big names as possible but here I find even some of the more outlandish casting works such as Keanu Reeves as Batman, something we’d never see in live action. McKinnon, Lyonne, Bayer & Luna are all perfectly cast in their respective roles and make each character pop. Headlining are the duo of Johnson & Hart who prove that even in voice over form the two have incredible chemistry together and I have to say I am happy to see Kevin Hart not typecast here in some ‘little guy’ role.
While I find myself disliking the more light hearted aspects of many superhero films nowadays I ironically love superhero kids films. For example where quips and attempts at breaking the tension hurt the recent Thor: Love & Thunder, DC League of Super-Pets delivers a fun and exciting take on the world of comics without the pretence of it ever being serious in the first place. Kids unfamiliar with the source material, die-hard fans and animal lovers alike will all find plenty to appreciate here.
Average Subculture rating Out Of 5
Other Subculture DC League Of Superheroes Reviews:
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