A generally endearing animated slice of history, this
comedy-tinged drama follows the adventures of the plucky canine who became an
honorary noncommissioned officer in the Army thanks to his feats of derring-do
during World War I. Adopted by a young soldier (voice of Logan Lerman) doing
basic training in his hometown of New Haven, Conn., the formerly hungry,
homeless pooch becomes the mascot of the 26th Infantry "Yankee" Division
and especially bonds with two of his new master's closest buddies (voices of
Jordan Beck and Jim Pharr). Refusing to be left behind when the trio of
comrades heads overseas, he sneaks onto their transport ship and winds up in
the trenches of France. In between warning of gas attacks and digging out
wounded warriors buried by exploding shells, he gains a new pal, a Frenchman
(voice of Gerard Depardieu) seconded to the American forces who has also
befriended his owner. Narrated by Helena Bonham Carter in the guise of the
human protagonist's sister, director and co-writer Richard Lanni's movie
sometimes feels becalmed. But it does make an easy introduction to an important
chapter of America's past for young people.
Watch out for: Much
stylized violence and an instance of anatomical humor.
Rated: A-II, adults and
adolescents; MPAA: PG
© Arlington Catholic Herald 2018