Review of the film: The Hollywood rendition of the graphic novel hero “Dog Man” is rough.
The degree to which you love the graphic novels will determine how much you like the “Dog Man” movie. Like its silent hero, I felt conflicted.
Dav Pilkey’s dynamic, eccentric universe has successfully transitioned to the big screen, but something is lacking. The Hollywoodization has flattened out the quirks and crammed too much information into the story, like a ray launched from a normal Pilkey ponderous robot. It might shock newcomers, and not in a good way.
Despite a few allusions to “Die Hard” and “Apocalypse Now,” the film version features superstars like Pete Davidson, Lil Rel Howery, Isla Fisher, and Ricky Gervais, but it also includes less toilet humor, puns, and gags for parents. By providing covert adult snacks, several studios have been able to keep ticket buyers at least entertained.
The books’ guerilla vibe has been replaced with a hugely popular, explosive, and profoundly message-filled movie about love, fatherhood, and hope. In a marketing effort that includes digital billboards, costume character tours, and altering the color of the Empire State Building’s lights, something that was first made in a school hallway because its creator was disruptive in class is now enjoying success. “Flowers” by Miley Cyrus is featured on the soundtrack. It is no longer subversive. 
