‘Charlie The Wonderdog’ Review – A Wonderfully Silly Adventure

When a film markets itself as a talking animal superhero movie, the audience knows exactly what to expect when they walk in. On that level, Charlie the Wonderdog delivers the expected hijinks and humor but lacks some of the heart that a pet-centric movie can deliver. Still very entertaining, the film lacks a deeper character exploration to elevate it from simply entertaining to genuinely memorable.

The story follows the relationship between a young boy, Danny, and his childhood dog, Charlie, who gains extraordinary powers after an encounter with an extraterrestrial being. After this event, Charlie is forced to find a place in a world not ready for superheroes, especially with the rise of Puddy, a neighborhood cat with evil intentions for humanity.

At its core, the film is the simple story of a boy and his dog, and the bonds that humans forge with their pets. This is showcased effectively at the beginning of the film with a montage between Charlie and Danny throughout the years. Particularly interesting is the exploration of the fact that Charlie is also aging as Danny grows up, causing a sense of worry for the owner. However, this plot thread seems to be discarded once superpowers are introduced, making it difficult to connect with the emotional payoff the filmmakers are setting up.

The narrative also tackles the weight of responsibility and the obligation to do good after gaining such extraordinary powers. The film’s plot dives into this idea and also addresses the tension of existing in a world where humans can go from idolizing their heroes to turning against them quickly. This concept is overshadowed by the silliness of a cats versus dogs rivalry to bring the entertainment value, at the expense of exploring these more engaging ideas.

Perhaps most frustrating is where the writers choose to end the film. The final moments finally position Charlie as the hero the story has been building toward, and those closing images are some of the film’s strongest. Yet they arrive just as the narrative cuts off. It feels less like a culmination and more like the beginning of a larger story, almost as if this is a prologue to the movie the audience expected all along.

The most enjoyable elements are when the film truly embraces its superhero genre roots and delivers dynamic visuals. The final confrontation, set in an abandoned circus, feels right at home in the superhero genre, with some well-laid-out dynamic camera movement and tightly staged action. 

The use of color is another visual highlight. The palette is vibrant, and the character designs are distinct enough that no two characters blur together. This is especially effective with the antagonist, Puddy, a house cat whose telekinetic powers give him a menacing aura to make up for a lack of screen presence. Meanwhile, Charlie’s powers of flight and speed are given the weight and velocity needed to make the larger-than-life hero feel magnificent and powerful.

The performances are invaluable when it comes to grounding the film. Owen Wilson brings some much-needed warmth to our canine protagonist and gives a solid effort to inject his trademark personality into the role. Meanwhile, Dawson Littman also stands out as Danny, grounding the relationship with an earnest sincerity that makes the bond between child and dog believable. Even when the dialogue veers into uneven territory, the cast manages to carry the emotional throughline.

Overall, Charlie the Wonderdog succeeds as a fun, crowd-pleasing experience for its target audience. It understands the expectations that come with the genre and rarely strays from them. Animated children’s films often have to balance being playful with taking their themes seriously, and this one clearly leans toward the playful. Even when it gestures at something deeper, it never fully commits to exploring it, leaving older audience members wanting more depth.

Charlie the Wonderdog is currently available on Digital platforms courtesy of Viva Kids.