Introducing the Film
The Upside is a 2017 American comedy-drama film directed by Neil Burger. It stars Kevin Hart, Bryan Cranston, and Nicole Kidman. The film is a remake of the 2011 French film The Intouchables.
The Story and Characters
The Dog Who Saved Halloween tells the heartwarming story of Zeus, a fun-loving Labrador retriever who loves the excitement of Halloween night in his suburban neighborhood. However, when Halloween is suddenly banned by the neighborhood’s obsessive homeowner’s association president, Zeus decides he must find a way to save the holiday for the kids and families who adore it.
Zeus enlists the help of his owner Ted and his family, including his teenage daughter Sara and precocious son Klayton. Together with their funny friend Stewey, they hatch a plan to host a Halloween party in the hopes of showing their neighbors how harmless and enjoyable the holiday can be. Of course, the homeowner’s association isn’t about to make things easy, and wacky hijinks and hilarity ensue as Zeus does everything in his power to save Halloween.
Critical Reception
Dog, starring Channing Tatum, initially received mixed reviews when it was released in theaters in February 2022. On the review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes, the film has a 61% approval rating based on 132 reviews, with an average rating of 6/10. The site’s critical consensus reads, “Dog brings out the best in Channing Tatum and proves an old dog can indeed learn new tricks, even if they’re otherwise familiar ones for this heartwarming road movie.”
Many critics praised Tatum’s performance and chemistry with the canine co-stars, but felt the overall storyline was predictable. In his review for Variety, Peter Debruge wrote, “Tatum has never been more appealing than in this picaresque indie road movie.” But he added that the film “doesn’t really justify its feature-length running time.” Kate Erbland’s review for IndieWire concluded, “As slight and predictable as Dog often is…the film nicely capitalizes on the easy charms of both Tatum and the very good dogs he’s paired with.”
At the box office, Dog earned $61 million in North America and $15 million elsewhere for a worldwide total of $76 million. On a budget of about $15 million, the film was considered a moderate commercial success. While not a major blockbuster, Dog connected with audiences looking for a feel-good story about the bond between man and his best friend.
Impact and Legacy
The film had a significant cultural impact and left a lasting legacy. It inspired many people to adopt dogs from shelters and raised awareness about animal adoption. Dog adoption rates spiked in the aftermath of the movie’s release as viewers fell in love with the film’s canine star.
The movie also left a mark through its critical acclaim and recognition. It was nominated for several major awards, including a Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy. Although it did not win that award, it did receive honors from other organizations. For example, it won the Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie Drama and Choice Movie Actor for Channing Tatum.
The popularity of the film led to a sequel being made called Magic Mike XXL, released in 2015. While the original film focused on depicting the world of male strippers, the sequel brought back Channing Tatum in the lead role for another comedic drama with dance routines. The sequel was also a box office success, showing the enduring appeal of the Magic Mike franchise.
Behind the Scenes
The idea for Dog first started with directors Reid Carolin and Channing Tatum, who wanted to make a film that showcased the special bond between humans and dogs. Filming took place in 2021, primarily on location in Washington state, Utah, and California. The production was able to find many picturesque outdoor locations that highlighted the film’s road trip theme.
One of the biggest challenges was working with the dog actors, but trainers ensured they were well prepared for their scenes. Over 30 different dogs were used in the filming process. The main dog co-star was a Belgian Malinois named Lulu, who had previous experience in commercials. Her trainers helped coach her on how to act in various scenes alongside Channing Tatum.
In an interview, Tatum mentioned how the dog actors were the hardest part of making the film, because you can’t explain a scene or character motivation to them like you can with human actors. The crew had to use treats, toys, and gestures to get the right behavior and reaction out of the dogs during filming. It required a lot of patience, but ultimately resulted in authentic, memorable performances from the canine stars.
The Animal Star
The real star of the film was arguably the dog who played Lulu, a three-year-old Belgian Malinois named Havi. The athletic breed is known for their intelligence, strong work ethic, and close bonds with their human handlers. Lulu was rescued as a puppy by Utah animal trainer Mark Vette and his team, who spent over a year carefully training her for the role.
Vette worked closely with Channing Tatum over several weeks to establish a rapport between the actor and Havi before filming began. Their hard work and dedication paid off, as Tatum and Havi formed a close friendship on set. Tatum has said that some of his favorite scenes to film were just him and his canine co-star playing together. He praised Havi for her ability to focus and take direction, saying she was “better than most human actors I’ve worked with!”
The relationship between Channing and Havi was crucial, as most of Lulu’s screen time involved interacting with Tatum’s character. Their visible on-screen bond helped make the story of man and dog overcoming obstacles together believable and touching to audiences.
Channing Tatum’s Role
Channing Tatum took on the leading role of Army Ranger Briggs in the film. As a dog lover himself, Tatum was drawn to the story’s heartwarming tale of a soldier and his canine companion. Though Tatum had some experience working with animals from past films, this was his biggest role interacting with a dog co-star.
Tatum enjoyed the challenge of acting opposite a dog and building a believable bond on screen. He went through extensive training to learn how to handle the dog and work with trainers to get natural, authentic performances. According to Tatum, the secret was building real trust and rapport with the dogs playing Lulu. This allowed him to have a deeper connection that came through on camera.
Appeal to Audiences
The film resonated with audiences for a few key reasons. First, the story of an ex-military dog adjusting to life as a civilian’s pet felt relatable. Many viewers had pets that struggled to adapt to new environments and could connect with Tatum’s character trying to earn Lulu’s trust and loyalty. The sweet friendship between man and dog is easy to root for.
Second, the charming performances of Channing Tatum and the dog playing Lulu made them a lovable on-screen pair. Their playful antics provide comic relief while their emotional journey tugs at the heartstrings. Audiences found themselves invested in both Lulu and Tatum’s characters.
Finally, the movie offered an accessible yet meaningful look at PTSD and the adjustments veterans face. Viewers appreciated the film shining a light on these issues in an uplifting, family-friendly story. Many felt it honored the service of military working dogs and their handlers in an entertaining format.
The Movie’s Message
Dog is a heartwarming film that carries an uplifting message about the power of connection, empathy, and unconditional love. At the core of the story is the special bond that develops between Channing Tatum’s character and his canine co-star, Lulu. Despite beginning as strangers, the two form an inseparable friendship built on trust, respect, and care for one another.
The film conveys the message that loving bonds can form between even the most unlikely of pairs. Just as the ex-Army Ranger character played by Tatum finds connection and meaning through his relationship with Lulu, we all have the capacity to overcome differences and find common ground. Dog reminds us of the importance of looking beyond surface-level distinctions to see the humanity (or soul) in others.
Dog also emphasizes the healing and redemptive power of relationships. Through his caring for Lulu, Tatum’s character begins to move beyond past trauma and regain a sense of purpose. The film suggests that caring for others, whether human or animal, can uplift both the giver and receiver of affection. Simple acts of love and loyalty can transform lives.
Ultimately, Dog demonstrates that embracing vulnerability and connection is what makes life meaningful. The movie leaves viewers with an inspirational perspective: opening one’s heart to others, despite any risk, leads to the most rewarding kinds of bonds.
Legacy and Impact
The 2016 family adventure film Dog’s Journey has had a lasting cultural influence and remains popular years after its release. With its heartwarming story, family-friendly themes, and crowd-pleasing animal star, the film struck a chord with audiences and critics alike.
Dog’s Journey is considered one of the better film adaptations of the novel series by author W. Bruce Cameron. By focusing on the emotional bonds between humans and their canine companions, the film captured the essence and appeal of the beloved source material.
The movie’s optimistic message about loyalty, friendship, and never giving up resonated strongly. In the years since its premiere, Dog’s Journey has become one of the most rewatched and recommended animal-focused family films. It is frequently cited as having timeless appeal to dog lovers and families.
Given the film’s popularity, many fans eagerly anticipate more entries in the franchise down the line. There is certainly room for sequel films based on the remaining books in Cameron’s series. The film’s heartwarming formula could also lend itself to spin-offs or even a musical adaptation for the stage.
Dog’s Journey demonstrated the universal appeal of animal stories for audiences young and old. With its uplifting themes and memorable canine star, the movie seems destined to be enjoyed by future generations of families for years to come.