Just when a lot of folks are feeling so stressed and anxious during the everchangÂing turmoil in America, and in the world for that matter, along comes DreamWorks animation to the rescue. Escapist fun and frolic for adults who accompany enthusiÂastic, giggling kids sliding into relentless silliness, Dog Man has been an astounding critical and audience favorite. It jumps onto the silver screen at the historic Jones Theater tomorrow for three showings of goofiness galore.
Opening in theaters on January 31, Dog Man pulled in almost $37M through its first weekend, making it the number one earner in early February. Surprisingly, it held its own as the cinematic leader through Super Bowl weekend, and by late February had crossed the $100M mark. Still counting of course, as it will add to ticket sales right here in Westcliffe.
So, what is it that has enchanted kids, critics, adults? A spin off from Dav Pilkeyâs Captain Underpants and Cat Kid Comic Club, Dog Man is exactly what and who the title claims to beâhalf-man, half-dog, a do-gooder crime stopper cop fixed on tennis balls and chewing furniture. Aimed at kids, as are the books, the rapid fire and twisting plot, along with wink-wink potty jokes and superb animation action and color, keeps the younger viewers doubled up, and the adults at least chuckling.
The Dog Man production team has tossed in some visuals and references to keep adults on their alert: building signs, calling up Apocalypse Now. As we so often see online, âWatch for it!â
Speaking of online, be prepared, adults, for repeats of Dog Man viewing across the year. Now streaming and still wowing kids with multiple revisits, the DVD is available, and awaiting your kidsâ eyes and laughter all over again.
Approaching franchise status, Dog Man–The Musical hit the boards in a community theater in Johnston, PA on April Foolâs Day, to the delight of fools of any age. The musical adaptation is opening all across the country throughout the year. Dog Man is anything but a dogâs day!
By the way, weâre sure we locals are astute enough to distinguish Dog Man, the animated film, from 2023âs French, but English language, thriller-drama Dogman. Right, we knew itâŚThe latter is a totally different grown up tale and for another time.
As one thoroughly satisfied critic put it, âIt takes a lot of work to be this ridiculous!â Adults, way past their laugh-at-the-drop-of-any-silly-signal childhoods can appreciate that. Kids just go with it, and in re-viewings anticipate the craziest stuff with glee.
Get in on the fun, and if you and/or your kids have seen Dog Man earlier, see it again. May as well get used to the kidsâ I-wanna-see-it-some-more chants.
The PG whacko adventures span an hour and a half; those 90 minutes pass very quickly, but you have to pay attention to the twists to absorb it all. May be why multiple viewings are de rigueur for the kiddos.
So, bow wow on down Main Street tomorrow and Saturday nights for 7 p.m. showings, or Sunday, April 6 for the 2 p.m. show.
Doors open 30 minutes before the lights dim and the howl beginsâat entry ticket prices so modest youâll think you pulled off a canine con.
Enjoy!
â W.A. Ewing