Superman’s (voice of John Krasinski) best friend is his dog (voice of Dwayne Johnson) in director and co-writer Jared Stern reasonably fresh animated comedy, adapted from DC Comics lore.
But the pair’s close relationship is complicated by the Man of Steel’s romance with Lois Lane (voice of Olivia Wilde) while their welfare is endangered by the machinations of a villainous guinea pig (voice of Kate McKinnon) who has managed to acquire superpowers. To defeat her, Supe’s pooch turns to a band of similarly gifted rescue animals (their canine leader voiced by Kevin Hart). As the ensemble battle evil and learn such life lessons as the need to be themselves, the value of working together and the self-sacrificial nature of real love, the script succeeds in being occasionally amusing and mostly unobjectionable. Yet, besides the predictable potty jokes, a reference to Clark Kent’s alter ego and his sweetheart spending some of their nights together as well as several bleeped out — but easily guessed — swear words bar endorsement for very young viewers.
Watch out for: A vague reference to premarital sexual activity, censored vulgar language, a few scatological jokes, a single crass term.
Rated: A-II — adults and adolescents. MPAA: PG — parental guidance suggested.
