‘Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie’ Review: Take Notes Kevin Feige, These Super Pups Got You Beat
PG: For Mild action/peril.
Runtime: 1 Hour and 32 Minutes
Production Companies: Spin Master Entertainment, Nickelodeon Movies
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Director: Cal Brunker
Writers: Cal Brunker, Bob Barlen
Cast: Mckenna Grace, Taraji P. Henson, Marsai Martin, Christian Convery, Kim Kardashian, North West, Saint West, James Marsden, Kristen Bell, Finn Lee-Epp
Release Date: September 30, 2023
Exclusively in Theaters
If you thought the superhero movie genre couldn't possibly get more saturated, those mangy Paw Patrol mutts traded their first responder attire for some slick metallic superhero suits. They had to get those young kids (and their exhausted parents) out to the theaters right before The Marvels. Besides, don't babies deserve superhero movies, too?
I'm glad I wasn't the anointed baby at the theater again. For new readers, I was the youngest person in the room at the first Paw Patrol movie’s press screening. During the early post-pandemic days, families with children didn’t receive invites. That theater was just me and a bunch of 40-year-olds. When the film ended, the Paramount rep asked for my opinion, and I said, "I don't know. I've never seen Paw Patrol. All my kid sisters are adults!" Thank god those days are over, and families filled up The Mighty Movie's screening. But shoutout to the grown Black man in the row behind me who reacted to everything in the movie as if it was a Marvel product (or the first film he had ever seen).
Meteorologist/mad scientist Victoria "Vee" Vance (Taraji P. Henson, having the time of her life in the recording booth) uses her gravitational pulling machine to pull a meteor into Earth's orbit. One crash-lands in Adventure City, destroying Paw Patrol's main headquarters. Facing self-worth issues due to her small stature and how everyone demeans her, Skye (Mckenna Grace) observes the rock and finds a set of crystals inside. One crystal grants her super strength and flight. Soon, every other Paw Patrol member gets superpowers. Through their powers, the unit rebrands itself as “The Mighty Pups” and helps the residents of Adventure City. Meanwhile, a scorned Vee teams up with the Patrol's rival, Mayor Humdinger (Ron Pardo), to take the powers for themselves.
As a baby's first blockbuster superhero movie, The Mighty Movie surpasses Paw Patrol's previous theatrical trip, taking on a more expansive, action-oriented scope. There's an emphasis on big action set pieces with a sense of peril throughout the movie. Adventure City's citizens are entirely accident-prone, always seconds away from death. Not to sound like a Republican, but those people deserve to pay the taxes that fund the Patrol's numerous military-style bases. There's a particular shot where Skye is inches away from turning into a literal hot dog from an explosion blast. The animation is so detailed I was in awe of their boldness. It makes the MPAA's bizarre PG rating understandable.
Much credit goes to the Montreal-based animators at Mikros Animation, who excel at crafting large, quality set pieces a few notches above the predecessor. At this point, I wonder why Paramount hasn't acquired them yet since they're doing more for their animation arm than the "in-house" Paramount Animation branch.
The first Paw Patrol flick's most compelling aspect was its thoughtful, emotional center with the lead dog, Chase, and his battle with trauma, which played as its central theme. This new entry finds Skye in the spotlight. Each flick has a dog spinning a wheel of character traumas. Skye's landed on imposter syndrome. I'll be darned, those dogs got me again. Writers Cal Brunker and Bob Barlen strike the same heartfelt empathy through Skye's motivation to prove herself as a valuable member above her small stature. Many kids today face self-esteem issues because of their height. Not to be like, "Wow, this kids' movie got to ME,'' because I identified and related to her plight, but also they contextualize it through her actions and motives. Kids of every generation face self-esteem issues, especially today, and the writers keep their themes resonant.
I won't be one of those critics who ignores the capitalistic intentions searing through the big screen. Most ‘80s and ‘90s kids dealt with that, especially with the Paramount Pictures films, from Transformers to Rugrats. The story meanders a bit, doing nothing but action set pieces that scream, "Look at this vehicle! Look at these cute new characters! Buy our merch!"
I still don't understand this world-building and having characters make meta jokes saying, "They’re cute little puppies that ride around in vehicles. It’s weird, but just go with it.” The pups have massive bases, cars, and planes that are the sole form of law protecting the city. How?! Once the super-powered crystals grant the team abilities, their wardrobe instantly gets an Iron Man-type upgrade. They don't purchase super suits from a tailor or make them themselves. Their go-to machine has them ready right after they get their powers. Where do they come from? Who funds them? Where are Ryder's parents? Do they go for walks? I feel like an Agnostic searching for the truth about God.
Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie expands the phenomenon with an updated scope while retaining its charm. It gives younger kids and families the epic, heroic cinematic experience they deserve.
