We have seen Channing Tatum team up with Jonah Hill in 21 Jump Street and Jamie Foxx in White House Down. Now, we are about to see Tatum team up with his most exciting co-star yet: a Belgian Malinois military working dog. In his co-directorial debut, Tatum stars in Dog, a road comedy-drama film. He portrays U.S. Army Ranger Jackson Briggs, who brings a dog named Lulu from Washington to Arizona to attend her handler’s funeral. The “boy and his dog” story has been a tried and true staple of films for a while, and this was a worthy addition about man’s best friend.
Tatum has proven to be one of Hollywood’s most reliable leading men for years, and he produces and directs this film with frequent collaborator Reid Carolin. His established talent as a comedic and dramatic actor shines through in this film. He has many hilarious scenes where he gets to play off the dog and be annoyed by her while fearing her aggression. The chemistry between Jackson and Lulu is a critical element of what makes the movie so heartwarming.
The movie makes a unique choice to hold the protagonist at arm’s length. The obvious path for a story like this is to have a rough, stern main character soften up and grow to have passion for a dog. But the movie keeps Jackson vague, hinting at his troubled relationship with his wife and daughter. We also see pieces of his struggle with PTSD in a very intense scene that’s very well-executed. The story surrounds a funeral, and the film may have been more emotionally impactful if Jackson had a deeper emotional connection to the departed. However, the places they take the character of Jackson ultimately work quite well.
Tatum and the three dogs who portray Lulu are the film’s main players. Most of the movie tells a pretty simplistic narrative, with the two leads giving a vibe similar to that of Turner & Hooch. They are on the road together and meet some friends and foes on their journey to Arizona. The film is blissfully easy to follow as they get into antics and a bond grows between them. The story is everything you would expect with little to no surprises in between, but it is made watchable by how likable Tatum is in the starring role. Its biggest shortcoming is that its adherence to a formula makes the movie forgettable in the long run.
Dog is a fun, adventurous time at the movies. It is a familiar yet enjoyable entry in the mid-budget road movie genre. In a film that succeeds in funny and emotional moments, Tatum and this pup have immaculate chemistry. Furthermore, the movie has many enjoyable scenes, particularly the hotel sequence where Jackson pretends to be blind to get a free room. This is a story about a human and an animal who find that they need the other in their lives. Will you see every story beat coming? Yes. But much like a real dog, you’ll forgive it for its shortcomings and love it nevertheless.
SCORE: 6/10
As ComingSoon’s review policy explains, a score of 6 equates to “Decent.” It fails to reach its full potential and is a run-of-the-mill experience.
