Dog is surprisingly tolerable. Road trips and reluctant pet friendships are fundamentally cliche, but Dog reaches beyond its predictable entertainment. Specifically, topics of trauma and support are addressed. These themes lack thorough development, but at least Dog isn't completely mindless. Tatum plays a wounded veteran who is delivering a retired combat dog in exchange for another tour of service. Along the way, they experience wacky hijinks and sobering dramatics (sometimes simultaneously). Unfortunately, this erratic story is internally conflicting. The drama works, but is undercut by messy messaging. Similarly, Tatum excels during vulnerable notes and is clumsy during forced comedy.
Furthermore, the technical aspects of Dog are also inconsistent. The symbolic sound is emotional, the cinematography is occasionally artistic, and the animal stunts are grounded. The shortcomings begin with the generic pop soundtrack, overt Army product placements, and thin casting around Tatum. Next, the editing uses formulaic montages and rushes the falling action. The ending comes too quickly after the climax, stifling its emotional impact. Lastly, the direction fails to balance the tone and messages. There's a good film buried in here, it just required more cohesion. Ultimately, Dog attempts to elevate its tropes but stumbles, making it a mixed bag.
Writing: 5/10
Direction: 4/10
Cinematography: 7/10
Acting: 7/10
Editing: 4/10
Sound: 7/10
Score/Soundtrack: 5/10
Production Design: 5/10
Casting: 6/10
Effects: 6/10
Overall Score: 5.6/10
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