Rent DC League of Super-Pets (2022)

DC League of Super-Pets (aka Super Pets / DC Super Pets) review by Mark McPherson - Cinema Paradiso

With the prevalence of superhero cinema, it seemed destined that we’d eventually get a movie like DC League of Super-Pets. As a combo of the sly wit of LEGO Batman and the animal antics of The Secret Life of Pets, this is a colorful, manic, and fantastic enough animated feature that it’ll keep the kids pleased. The adults familiar with the DC Comics lore may get some smirks out of it as well. It mostly works despite only occasionally reaching across the aisle to the older crowd.

The premise is simple yet sweet enough for families to indulge, which I’m sure is a welcome relief from the onslaught of more adult DC Comics affairs. It’s the tale of Superman (John Krasinski) and his Kryptonian dog simply named Krypto (Dwayne Johnson). Krypto has enjoyed a long life with Kal-El/Clark Kent always by his side. But Clark’s desire to marry Lois Lane may conflict with his buddy time. It’s a new prospect he’s not willing to accept.

While Clark tries to find a way for Krypto to socialize more with other animals, terror strikes in Metropolis! Lex Luthor (Marc Maron) has acquired orange kryptonite that he believes will give him superpowers. He fails and is foiled by the Justice League. What he doesn’t realize is that orange kryptonite only affects animals. Thus, Lex’s evil guinea pig Lulu (Kate McKinnon) takes this kryptonite and uses her newfound superpowers to defeat the Justice League and impress her master Luthor.

Krypto could come to save the day but is kneecapped by Lulu’s clever use of kryptonite and cheese. Thankfully, some other pets have taken on powers granted by the orange kryptonite. Ace (Kevin Hart) is a boxer who can absorb any blast and take untold amounts of damage. PB (Vanessa Bayer) is a pig with the power to both grow and shrink to different sizes. Merton (Natasha Lyonne) is a turtle who can now speed around at a fast pace. Chip (Diego Luna) is a squirrel who can generate lightning. They’re not very skilled but perhaps Krypto can teach them.

The humor present in this animated feature is decent. It makes a few expected gags about dogs with smells, urine, and walk protocol. So, you know, standard pet jokes. The film is a bit playful with DC Comics lore but not so much that it’ll all go over the heads of kids as much as the references in LEGO Batman. That’s good news for kids but it might leave the older crowd longing for something more.

There’s a solid amount of action present to make the younger crowd feel like they’re seeing the same superhero movies that the older folks dig watching. There are even a few genuine moments of charm in how a more compassionate and understanding Superman graces the big screen. Where I couldn’t quite dig the film was its weirdly angular and off-putting styles. The Super-Pets themselves all look great and have solid personalities that it’s fun to watch their adventures unfold. The Justice League, however, leaves a lot to be desired. If the designs don’t seem bland like something out of Bee Movie then they appear as bizarre caricatures in the form of Cyborg’s half-afro and Aquaman’s weirdly vertical face. It doesn’t help that most of these characters are reduced to having the standard jokes or no jokes at all. One would think there’d be a bit more to laugh at with Green Lantern’s powers being so creative yet so easy to stop.

DC League of Super-Pets delivers a decent dose of DC Comics comedy for the kids. It slowly builds to a more emotional ending and has some solid personalities present throughout. There’s a lot of slapstick but it doesn’t get as lost in the manic nature of The Secret Life of Pets. For parents seeking to share a bit of the wonder of DC Comics with the wee ones, this is an okay introduction, albeit a rather standard animated adventure for that crowd.