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DOG – Movie Review

Dog starring Channing Tatum will be in theaters February 18th.

Channing Tatum and Reid Carolin make their directing debut in this charming and surprisingly dark animal buddy comedy. US Army Ranger Briggs is tasked with bringing Lulu, a Belgian Malinois military dog, down the Pacific Coast from Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington to Nogales, Arizona in time to attend her handler’s funeral.

The film is centered around a genuine and committed performance from Channing Tatum. His comedic chops continue to impress. After 21 Jump Street and its sequel, 22 Jump Street, as well as cameo appearances in The Hateful Eight and last year’s Nerdtopolis Award-Winning hit Free Guy, it’s safe to call Tatum a comedy star.

This movie’s subject matter might be a turn-off for some.

Lulu, the dog, suffers from a canine version of PTSD. Briggs may also be suffering from it, but he struggles with a traumatic brain injury that causes migraines and seizures. When I say Tatum’s performance is committed, it’s because he depicts one of the most convincing seizures I’ve ever seen in a movie at a point near the end of the film. It’s tough to watch, especially because of all the real-life veterans and professional athletes that struggle thanks to head and brain injuries.

But it’s not all a dark look at the struggles of post-war trauma.

There are also a ton of big laughs from Tatum and cameos from Bill Burr and other comedy stars. And heartfelt moments between Tatum and his canine co-star. As a result, the film is decidedly less cringeworthy than other dog-related comedies. Though it does veer into road trip movie cliches at times, at a meager 90 minutes, the movie doesn’t overstay its welcome.

Verdict

I give Dog 3 out of 5 stars. It is an enjoyable, heartfelt, if slightly cliché buddy comedy/road trip movie and a solid directorial debut for Channing Tatum.

Rating: 3 out of 5.

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Writer, native Texan, DBZ fanatic, and budding Oscars historian

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