Dog is a 2022 buddy comedy drama co-directed by Channing Tatum and Reid Carolin. It is the directorial debut for Tatum and his longtime friend and collaborator Carolin. Carolin, a 6’6 Lake Forest, Illinois native, co-wrote the screenplay for Dog, and also wrote the screenplay for Magic Mike (2012), and Magic Mike XXL (2015). He is currently working on the screenplay for another Magic Mike film, with Steven Soderbergh returning as director.
Two former Army Rangers are paired against their will on the road trip of a lifetime. Army Ranger Briggs and Lulu (a Belgian Malinois dog) buckle into a 1984 Ford Bronco and race down the Pacific Coast in hopes of making it to a fellow soldier's funeral on time. Along the way, they'll drive each other completely crazy, break a small handful of laws, narrowly evade death, and learn to let down their guards in order to have a fighting chance of finding happiness.
The cast includes Channing Tatum, Jane Adams, Kevin Nash, Q’orianka Kilcher, Ethan Suplee, Emmy Raver-Lampman, Nicole LaLiberté, Luke Forbes, and Ronnie Gene Blevins.
Dog made its debut in theaters on February 18th, courtesy of MGM Studios
THE GOOD
When I first watched the trailer for Dog however many months back, I knew I was all in within 5 seconds. I mean, Channing Tatum and a heartwarming story about a man bonding with a war hero dog? Yeah, that is cinema gold in my book. But seriously, it's been a bit since we have seen Tatum in a leading role, but it seems like 2022 might just be his year with this movie and the upcoming action comedy The Lost City (preview and trailer here), where he stars alongside Sandra Bullock. That film is due out on March 25th, only in theaters. But just like rain is wet and snow is cold, if Tatum is in a lead role, you best pay attention. So, is this the film Channing Tatum deserves? Keep reading to find out!
Okay, spoiler alert. I loved this movie! I am a sucker for an experience that makes me feel something, and Dog is definitely a very emotional film. But don’t expect full on tears on the level of A Dog’s Purpose, or something along those lines. The reason being this is a great balance between comedy and drama, and in many ways it is a coming-of-age story, for a man, and for this incredible dog. With that being said, it does delve into some very difficult themes, including veteran suicide which is a significant problem in this country, which is just such a heartbreaking issue that needs to be talked about. Sorry to get all real with you guys, but I promise I will talk more about the cinematic experience that is more than worth the price of admission.
Dog tells a story that matters and needs to be seen, but above all else it never fails to be entertaining. Thanks to Channing Tatum and his ability to win over viewers no matter what the circumstance, and a dog you can’t help but root for, you will be reassured right away that you made the right decision seeing this movie. The opening scene is Tatum serving someone in a generic version of Subway as he gets treated like just any other slacker working an entry-level job. But Tatum’s story is unique, he is an accomplished Army Ranger who has been left in the lurch after suffering a head injury. He wants nothing more than to prove that he can still be of service, and it is made clear very early on that he desperately needs financial stability. One thing is for sure, his character is driven and relentless above all else. Although at first it seems he may be out for himself, we soon learn that this man has a big heart, and he has a lot to offer. What hit me the hardest with Dog is just the hard-hitting reality that we have a broken man and a broken hero dog, thrown into the trash pile by everyone else, who find each other and become the saviors they never realized they needed.
As I said, Dog is an action comedy with the emotional element mixed in, but trust me when I say, you will be laughing your butt off. The fact that Tatum is capable of developing such genuine on-screen chemistry with a dog, should not be overlooked. I read in an interview that during the scenes where the dog wouldn’t look at Tatum, instead of immediately going for a retake, he would take the route of “oh go ahead don’t even look at me” to make things feel that much more authentic. I mean, whether it is the dog ripping a water bottle out of Tatum’s mouth or ripping apart the upholstery in his sweet 1984 Bronco. I hate to date myself, but that bad boy was manufactured the year I was born, which is one more reason why I love this movie so much. So yeah, Dog is entertaining from start to finish, and is just such a fun yet important movie.
As far as the acting is concerned, Dog is headlined by Channing Tatum, and a dog. I mean they get easily 80% of the screen time, which is not a bad thing. The bread and butter of the film is the unbreakable bond that is created between these two, but you also get some fantastic interactions along the way as the duo takes a few planned, and unplanned, detours as they head to their intended destination. One of my favorites is between Tatum and actor former wrestler Kevin Nash, who plays a character known only as Gus. Nash, a brooding 6’11 former D1 basketball star for the Tennessee volunteers, is known for his humor. His chance encounter with Tatum’s character starts off dicey to say the least, but I could watch these two hangout and chat all day long. Nash is exactly what you think of when you hear the term “Gentle Giant”. Even though he doesn’t get a ton of screentime, Ethan Suplee plays a pivotal role in the film. He is a character that is most connected to the man who is the reason this trip is happening, and he also helps to really bring home the films focus on veteran suicide awareness, and just the struggles in general our veterans deal with post-combat for a number of reasons.
Channing Tatum is simply masterful in his performance. I’m not ashamed to say I am a huge Tatum fan, I mean he is a great looking guy, incredibly fit, and I mean we have all seen Magic Mike. But what people seem to forget all too easily is he is a great actor, and has such an infectious presence on-screen. I mean, for the majority of this film it is Tatum talking to a dog, yet I was all in from start to finish. The reality is, very few actors can pull that off and win over viewers the way he does. Tatum is incredibly genuine in his love for animals, should come as no surprise as he is a dog lover himself. He actually lost a dog to cancer a few years ago, who was also named Lulu, the name of the dog in the film.
Let’s take this opportunity to talk a little bit about Channing Matthew Tatum. Born in the small Alabama town of Cullman, 50 miles north of Birmingham, he is arguably one of the most multi-talented actors working today. The 41-year old who stands at an even 6’0, was offered a full scholarship to play football in West Virginia after high school, before dropping out of college. Not only is he a physically gifted athlete, he is an incredible dancer. He was an absolute force in the 2006 film Step Up, and continued to prove his abilities in the Magic Mike franchise. Bottom line, Tatum is for real, and his resume of 65 acting credits, many of which hit films, speaks for itself. I like to think that if it is a thing to have an actor spirit animal, Channing Tatum is mine. Plus, he is currently dating the equally talented Zoë Kravitz, otherwise known as Catwoman in the upcoming surefire blockbuster, The Batman (preview and trailer here). Mark my words, this is Hollywood’s newest power couple, so move over Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively.
From a technical standpoint, Dog is a beautiful film in many ways. I really enjoyed the sights along the road trip, making you feel like you were along for the ride. The film takes full advantage of the scenery available in Santa Clarita, CA, which had me ready to plan a vacation. Dog also serves as a reminder not to visit Portland, Oregon, unless perhaps you need a nice sweater made from 100% hemp. I mean yeah I see the “Keep Portland Weird” signs, and trust me, it's going to stay weird for the foreseeable future.
THE BAD
You’ll be hard pressed to poke holes in this movie, unless perhaps you hate dogs or emotion, or perhaps both. Maybe you are anti-war? Okay, well the film examines all positions as far as that goes. But, if you are hoping for a ton of war film action sequences, that you will not get. Even though the story in itself is rooted in the effects of war, we are shown what it’s like for these veterans once they return home and are essentially written off. The majority of the film is Channing Tatum bonding with a dog, and if that doesn’t sound appealing to you, you might want to just move along. So yeah, you won’t catch me bashing this movie.
THE VERDICT
A powerful story of struggle and perseverance when the odds are stacked against you, Dog is an emotional journey that will stick with you long after you leave the theater, and is easily the most impactful role of Channing Tatum’s career and one heck of a directorial debut. You will be laughing hysterically one minute, and in tears the next. The balance of humor and real-life drama is so incredibly seamless, making it clear that the writers and directors of the film share an obvious personal connection. The more I think about this movie the more I appreciate it, and I personally cannot wait to see it again. Dog will not only appeal to all audiences, it will start a conversation of awareness as it relates to our military veterans, and for me you just can't put a price on that.
TED TAKES RATING - 8.9/10
Dog is now playing only in theaters. Check out the latest trailer below.