Charlie the Wonderdog review – pooch v puss caper beams Owen Wilson up from the wilderness
Wilson lends his drawl to a dog who gains superpowers after being abducted by aliens in this frenetic animationIn an ever more threadbare release schedule, there’s little in the way...
By Mike McCahill · The Guardian Culture
Wilson lends his drawl to a dog who gains superpowers after being abducted by aliens in this frenetic animation In an ever more threadbare release schedule, there’s little in the way of a backup plan for any youngsters and parents shut out of The Mandalorian and Grogu . The major studios’ animation departments have already delivered the blockbusting likes of Hoppers , Goat and The Super Mario Galaxy Movie to multiplexes this spring, setting distributors scrabbling around to dig up filler material for kids’ matinee shows. If a new, Chinese-produced Tom and Jerry caper doesn’t spark undue enthusiasm, the most immediate family alternative would be this very ordinary Canadian digimation, featuring the voice of Owen Wilson as a dog with superpowers. Co-writer and director Shea Wageman earns some points for weirdness. The titular pooch is one of a menagerie of household pets beamed up one night for alien experimentation. (This PG-rated entertainment comes perilously close to busting out the probes.) Returned home with the ability to fly and speak in a recognisably Wilsonian drawl, Charlie resolves to use his superpowers for good – becoming, if you will, Bark Kent. This indulges in more of the movies’ virulent anti-cat propaganda: neighbour’s puss Puddy (Ruairi MacDonald) breaks bad, pledging to punish his now-cowering owner, and indeed humanity entire, for failing to empty his litter tray. Continue reading...