Walk O’Clock: DC League of Super-Pets Review
How good can a movie about Superman’s dog really be? The answer is surprisingly good. The dog’s name doesn’t inspire a lot of confidence (his name is Krypto, he comes from the planet Krypton) but the movie is both solid as a movie about superheroes and as an animated movie featuring animals.
The basic premise is that Krypto has been with Kal-El (aka Clark Kent aka Superman) since before Krypton exploded and they are best friends. Together they fight criminals, go on flight-walks, watch TV, etc. They’re inseparable. And as a dog who has all the same basic abilities as Superman, what else does he need? Certainly not friends. But as Superman gets serious about his girlfriend Louis Lane, their relationship starts to change, making Krypto doubt his place. When Superman and the other Justice League of America heroes are kidnapped, Krypto finds himself in an unfamiliar place – needing help from others in order to save his best friend.
As is typically the case in Superman stories, Lex Luthor opens as the villain, determined to give himself superpowers so he can defeat Superman. Things don’t go as planned, leading to a telekinetic guinea pig, an invulnerable dog from the pound, a squirrel with the ability to shoot lightening, a pig that can change sizes like Ant-Man but without the suit, and a superfast turtle that can barely see anything.
Krypto starts out the movie fairly arrogant. He has difficulty relating to other animals even other dogs like himself. He doesn’t pee outside or sniff things like a typical dog and though he enjoys playing fetch, his version is a little more intense than your average game – it can involve flying or smashing an entire tree. When he has to team up with the newly-superpowered animals from the animal shelter, he discovers what it really means to be a hero (hint: it’s not superpowers) and what it means to truly love someone.
This is a movie that can be enjoyed by adults and children alike. If I were someone who cried during movies, I might have even shed a few tears at one particular scene. There’s nothing unexpected about the events that take place but the journey is a true delight.
ABOUT THE MOVIE
Official Synopsis: Krypto the Super-Dog and Superman are inseparable best friends, sharing the same superpowers and fighting crime in Metropolis side by side. When Superman and the rest of the Justice League are kidnapped, Krypto must convince a rag-tag shelter pack—Ace the hound, PB the potbellied pig, Merton the turtle and Chip the squirrel—to master their own newfound powers and help him rescue the Super Heroes.
Rated: PG
Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Kate McKinnon, John Krasinski, Vanessa Bayer, Natasha Lyonne, Diego Luna, Thomas Middleditch, Ben Schwartz, and Keanu Reeves
Directed By: Jared Stern
Written By: Jared Stern and John Whittington
Produced By: Patricia Hicks, Dwayne Johnson, Dany Garcia, Hiram Garcia, and Jared Stern
In Theaters: July 27, 2022
Runtime: 1 hr 45 min
Watch the trailer:
Photo: Krypto the Superdog in DC’s League of Super-Pets. Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
