3/5 stars
Based on the Nickelodeon cartoon series, Paw Patrol: The Movie takes the adventures of Ryder (voiced by Will Brisbin) and his six-strong puppy pack to the big city.
The “Paw Patrol” – Chase, Skye, Rocky, Rubble, Marshall and Zuma – are public-spirited pups living in the sunny Adventure Bay. No job is too big or small for these intrepid canines, who all sport bright uniforms and drive heavy-duty vehicles. When the film opens and a tanker full of maple syrup swerves to avoid a baby turtle, almost crashing over a bridge, they’re on hand to save the day.
As any television-to-movie production demands, the action must be set on a grander scale. Here, we head to Adventure City, now run by Mayor Humdinger (Ron Pardo) – who fans will know as the Paw Patrol’s regular nemesis.
When a dachshund named Liberty sends an SOS to save the city that Humdinger is ruining, Ryder and the dogs head out – much to Chase’s concern. It was here where he was abandoned as a puppy, and the big city still holds much fear for him.
Humdinger, who struts around in purple top hats and wears feline-embossed boxer shorts, is an amusing villain – the sort of useless politician that’s all too familiar. He puts in a hazardous, roller-coaster-style track, pointlessly, for the city’s public railway. He also commandeers a gizmo used to study clouds to keep the sky perpetually sunny, a tactic that leads to a meteorological meltdown.
Fortunately, the Paw Patrol is more than capable, despite Chase suffering the wobbles at being back in Adventure City.
Directed by Cal Brunker, the film is colourful and cute, and there’s plenty to feast on visually, including a huge firework display thrown by Humdinger that (predictably) goes wrong.
There’s even the odd wry joke for the adults, like the gang’s new high-rise abode, paid by “officially licensed Paw Patrol merchandise”, says Ryder, holding up a branded T-shirt – a nod to the fact that toy company Spin Master is behind the original show.
While feline lovers may object to Humdinger’s coterie of cats being cast as the bad guys, Paw Patrol: The Movie is a solidly entertaining film for kids, with plenty of crash-bang action and, in Liberty, a sweet new addition to the puppy party.
The English-language version features some guest-star talent, including MCU regular Randall Park, Tyler Perry and reality-TV icon Kim Kardashian, as a posh poodle named Delores. Barking mad, but fun.
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