#REVIEW: “DC LEAGUE OF SUPER-PETS”

Review by Justin Waldman for Mr. Will Wong

For as long as both DC Comics and Marvel have been making Television Shows and Movies, they’ve been in constant competition, which has pushed the other really to further than possiby imagined. Now with a full-fledged big screen adventure for the DC Animation Department, audiences find themselves with DC League of Super-Pets welcoming families back to theatres. This is one of the purest, most heartwarming, family-friendly, movies to come out in recent years.

Before we dive into the Review, it is important to note that if you have pets, especially if you have rescues, you’re most likely going to become very emotional during the Film, so please remember to bring your tissues and hug your pets when you get home. It is indescribable what a pet can mean to someone. This Movie tugs on the heart strings more than we were led to believe, so prepare for waterworks!

The Movie starts off on Krypton, the birth place of Superman (John Krasinski),  as his parents are preparing him to leave their planet for Earth, since their planet is about to implode and destroy all life. Well, Krypto (Dwayne The Rock Johnson) has other plans, and finds himself into the pod with Superman and they find themselves travelling towards Earth. Fast-forward to modern day, Superman is fighting crime with Krypto at his side. Krypto is not the brightest pup on the planet and cannot figure out for the life of him, that Superman is in love with Lois Lane (Olivia Wilde) and is preparing to start a life with her. Superman decides that it would be best for Krypto if he got him a friend, so he visits the local shelter where Ace (Kevin Hart), PB (Vanessa Bayer), Merton (Natasha Lyonne), Chip (Diego Luna) and Lulu (Kate McKinnon) all reside. Ace is determined more than ever to escape, and bring his friends with him as he feels let down by the system and Lulu is literally Brain from Pinky and The Brain – unadulterated evil. When Superman fails to adopt a friend for Krypto, their next adventure begins as they have to stop Lex Luthor (Marc Maron) from harnessing the power of Orange Kryptonite, which he believes will give him the powers of Superman. Fortunately, Lex is foiled, but the Orange Kryptonite does give powers to animals, and thus Lulu becomes a super villain, and Ace, Merton, Chip and PB all get superpowers. Lulu is determined to capture Superman and the rest of the Justice League, and when she succeeds it is upper to the new team of Super-Pets to save the supers!

A movie that focuses on Superheroes, Super-Pets, and Super-Villains in an animated setting can only be as good as its Voice Cast. Thankfully, the incredible chemistry that is already shared between Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart makes no difference whether they’re animated or in live-action roles, their chemistry shines throughout the Film and blasts its way through the screen. Natasha Lyonne who normally stars in movies that are minimum 14A, gives us her signature charm, style, and humour thanks to a useful bleeping mechanism and some great adult innuendo that the children will miss, but the adults certainly will find some humour in. Vanessa Bayer and Diego Luna are also great, bringing their unique trademarks and inflections to their roles. But it is Kate McKinnon who is clearly having the absolute time of her life playing Lulu. She is completely unhinged in her version of Maurice LaMarche that would make him even quiver in his proverbial cage, as he too tries to take over the world.

John Krasinski nails the voice of the boy scout Clark Kent. I don’t believe his voice in the persona of Superman, but rather his alter-ego. Marc Maron as Lex Luthor could’ve benefitted from a bit more sinister. Keanu Reeves as the brooding Bat, Batman, certainly understood the assignment and gave us a darker version of Will Arnett’s take to a great success. Dascha Planco as Green Lantern was a pleasant surprise from the traditional Hal Jordan, Jemaine Clement as Aquaman nearly broke me, but he is always delivering the most ridiculous of voices and characters and we’re here for it. Daveed Diggs as Cyborg works really well as well.  The same for John Early as The Flash and Jameela Jamil as Wonder Woman. The entire Voice Cast, from pets to humans excel for the most part, but there is a magic in the cheistry among the Cast that shines through the Film.

DC League of Super-Pets looks incredible full stop. The Animation in the Flm is top-notch and while it is not meant to look realistic and something that can be seen in real life, it still is unique and stunning to the eye. It is refreshing to see a lighter, less menacing DC Animated Feature. DC League of Super-Pets brings a light to the forefront and creates a family- friendly celebration of love even if some of the Action might be a bit dark for the younger crowd. There is so much to adore about DC League of Super-Pets really is a beautiful story that will warm your hearts and make you cherish your pets that much more.

Warner Bros. Pictures Canada release DC LEAGUE OF SUPER-PETS in theatres on Friday July 29, 2022.