DC League of Super Pets: Movie Review

Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Kate McKinnon, Keanu Reeves, Jemaine Clement
Director: Jared Stern, Sam J Levine

Not quite as paw-some as it could be, the DC League of Super Pets movie certainly knows how to offer a solid time - rather than something spectacular.

Johnson is Krypto, the ever-loyal pooch to Superman (John Krasinski), whose world is about to be shook up as Lois Lane moves in on Clark Kent's life. Fearing he'll no longer be BFFs with Supes, Krytpo finds things even more shook up when a psychotic guinea pig (McKinnon) uses Kryptonite on the pair of them and plans to kill the Justice League.

Robbed of his powers and with nowhere else to turn, Krypto discovers a group of shelter pets (headed up by Kevin Hart's Ace) could hold the key to Metropolis' - and his owner's - survival.

Largely formulaic, DC League of Super Pets works best when it cuts free from the traditional, and goes a little more freeform and inspired.

At times, the film's flat fare that doesn't seem to want to punch above its weight, and is content to let its superhero animal pals live in the shadow of the Justice League, who cameo throughout. But aside from that, it's the usual odd couple fare as Krypto and Ace bicker and Krypto becomes jealous of Lois.

There are moments that land well in this origin tale though. From Ace's dark backstory to a final reel team-up that delivers heart as well as zaniness, there's much that leaves you feeling that this less-than-Super tale about Superman's dog had real potential.

Even Johnson and Hart who usually fizzle and crackle against each other feel muted here, a partnership dulled by a script that doesn't quite offer them the best of opportunities. In fact, when the more creative moments come, it almost serves as a warning as to how much the film would soar if it was cut free from its desire to follow the familiar.

It's not that DC League of Super Pets isn't solid enough animated fare or has a nice message about team work, loving rescue animals and relationships in general; in fact, anyone with a cursory knowledge of the darkness of the DC world will appreciate the levity on offer here - it's just that it doesn't quite go as far as it could or should for a cartoon adventure about superhero pets.