Actor Channing Tatum has returned in a new buddy comedy.
Directed by the “Magic Mike” star and Reid Carolin, the film features a cast of Skyler Joy, Aqueela Zoll, Cayden Boyd, Ethan Suplee, and Jane Adams.
What Is Channing Tatum’s ‘DOG’ About?
Like the title suggests, the film called “DOG” is about a man and his dog.
The synopsis reads: “With a dog named Lulu by his side, Army Ranger Jackson Briggs races down the Pacific Coast to make it to a soldier’s funeral on time. Along the way, Briggs and Lulu drive each other completely crazy, break a handful of laws, narrowly evade death, and learn to let down their guards to have a fighting chance of finding happiness.”
Lulu is actually a Belgian Malinois who is actually played by three different doggy actors throughout the film.
Although dog trainers and vets have been vocal about the dangers of owning a Belgian Malinois, what did critics think of the film overall?
Does Channing Tatum & Lulu Make For A Winning Combination?
DOG: Channing Tatum directed and stars in a zany road trip comedy about a brain-injured Army Ranger and a combat dog with PTSD.
it’s the most Channing Tatum thing that has ever Channing Tatumed, and i naturally mean that in a good way.
my review: https://t.co/yhVl42rpIt pic.twitter.com/RPjyWFYosa
— david ehrlich (@davidehrlich) February 17, 2022
According to Rotten Tomatoes, the film has a 79% approval rating from critics and an 88% audience score after its theatrical release on February 8, 2022.
The critic consensus read: “Dog’s dramatic breed is far from exotic, but solid narrative bones and well-trained work from co-director/star Channing Tatum make for a fetching viewing experience.”
Nell Minow of RogerEbert.com wrote, “Dog is uneven in tone and quality but shows promise in the way co-directors Channing Tatum and Reid Carolin approach the story with care and heart.” She rated the film 3 out of stars.
Kristen Page-Kirby of the Washington Post wrote, “‘Dog’ turns out to be a deeply thoughtful, surprisingly resonant look at trauma and what stems from it.” She gave the film three out of four stars.
Stephanie Zacharek of TIME Magazine wrote, “[Tatum’s] persuasiveness is devilishly effective even in movies whose charms you may try valiantly to resist. And he will make you believe in Dog.”
Linda Marric of The Jewish Chronicle wrote, “A combination of Tatum’s rugged appeal and a touching story about overcoming adversity give this engaging drama comedy just the right amount of likability.” She gave the film four out of 5 stars.
Peter Debruge of Variety wrote, “Like John Travolta and Sylvester Stallone before him, Tatum is not an actor of particularly wide range, but he knows what his audience wants, and in “Dog,” he gives them more than they bargained for.”
A.O. Scott of the New York Times called the movie “unabashedly sentimental. A movie about a dog and a soldier could hardly be otherwise. Luckily, Tatum’s self-deprecating charm and Carolin’s script keep the story on the tolerable side of maudlin.”
Still, not all critics were convinced.
Critics Criticize Channing Tatum’s ‘Pet Project’ As A ‘Corny Road Movie’
#DogMovie was what I wanted it to be. An adorable and hilarious road trip movie. Lulu the Dog steals the show and Channing Tatum has great chemistry with it. It’s also got heart but also cliched. If you are a dog owner this is impossible to dislike pic.twitter.com/5rS1QIOUnj
— Ryan O’Toole (@RyanOTooleMR) February 18, 2022
Jason Bailey of The Playlist wrote, “A uneven, messy narrative, but it does prove an unsurprisingly effective showcase for Channing Tatums meathead charisma and natural grace.” He gave the film a C-.
Benjamin Lee of The Guardian wrote, “It might be a pet project for Tatum but it’s a rough ride for the rest of us.” He gave the film two out of 5 stars.
Rafer Guzman of Newsday wrote, “Movies, like Instagram accounts, always score big when pets are the focus — but ‘Dog’ has a heart, too.” He gave the film 2.5 out of 4 stars.
Simon Abrams of TheWrap wrote, “A corny road movie that mostly panders to fans of Tatum and/or dogs, as well as any moviegoer who still thinks that making a big show of supporting the troops (any troops) makes them more human than, uh, most everyone else.”
Todd Jorgenson of Cinemalogue wrote, “Despite admirable intentions, this crowd-pleasing effort to salute our four-legged veterans is too overwrought and sentimental to make the desired emotional impact.”
Although critics seem divided on the movie’s tone, most of the reviews for the film are pretty positive. In short, if you’re looking to head to the theater, “DOG” is likely to draw more than a few laughs from its audience.
