Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie: A Mild Parental Torture or Entertaining Adventure?
An Apology to Parents
For a moment, Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie does something genuinely unprecedented in the realm of maddening kid-targeted entertainment: It apologizes to parents and caregivers in the audience. The acknowledgement comes from a newscaster in the film, played by Lil Rel Howery, who says, “To all the parents out there, I’m sorry,” after announcing the proliferation of even more Paw Patrol merchandise opportunities during the movie. While this apology may not cover the notorious earwormy Paw Patrol theme song or the enduring presence of the smug police-pup Chase, it at least recognizes two important aspects of Paw Patrol: its status as a global merchandising phenomenon and its lack of appeal to parents who are dragged along to watch it.
A Global Merchandising Phenomenon
Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie is undeniably geared towards its pre-K target audience, with a secondary focus on younger elementary-school-aged children who have grown up with the characters. It’s highly likely that children in this age range will enjoy the movie, but even the most die-hard Paw Patrol fans might find that watching old episodes on Paramount+ would be just as satisfying. This raises the question of what degree of parental torture is involved in watching the film.
Mild Parental Torture
Fortunately, for parents who have already built up a tolerance for the day-saving pups, Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie offers a relatively mild experience. By borrowing from the superhero movie playbook, the film introduces a more structured narrative compared to its predecessor. It tells the story of how the pups acquire themed superpowers from a meteor, which provides a clearer premise, strategically deployed action sequences, two villains who team up, and even a couple of montages.
The Development of Skye
One notable aspect of the film is the development of fan-favorite character Skye, voiced by Mckenna Grace. The Mighty Movie delves into Skye’s backstory, highlighting her struggle with physical smallness and the challenges she faces being treated as cute by grown-ups. Skye gains new powers that boost her confidence, but she also encounters a formidable adversary in the form of mad scientist Victoria Vance, voiced by Taraji P. Henson.
A Star-Studded Cast
Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie flaunts a star-studded cast, including cameos from Chris Rock and Kristen Bell. However, while these familiar voices may be intended to delight parents, they often feel like mere additions to a celebrity gift bag. The film also includes a cameo by Kim Kardashian, reprising her role from the first film, alongside her daughter North, who voices one of the smaller prospective members of the Patrol.
A Kiddie Utopia and Continuity Quirks
Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie exists in a kiddie utopia where toys and their human leader Ryder replace parents as the true authority. No matter what kind of shenanigans the pups get into, someone offscreen will always buy them more Paw Patrol merchandise. This reflects the global merchandising phenomenon that Paw Patrol has become.
The film also plays with continuity quirks, as the mythology of the superheroic mighty pups differs between the TV show and the movies. While the TV show depicts the pups transforming into superheroes occasionally, the movies take place in Adventure City and have a reconfigured origin story that involves a meteor crash. The level of destruction in the film has led to a PG rating, which some may find surprising for a preschool-targeted movie.
A Harmless Distraction
In the end, Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie is a harmless enough film that offers a break from the repetitive nature of the TV show. The superhero framework provides the movie with more structure and introduces funnier and more entertaining villains. However, it is still primarily a time-waster designed to momentarily distract young children in exchange for promoting a new line of Paw Patrol action figures. While little kids may enjoy it, there are certainly better options available for entertainment.
In conclusion, Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie delivers a mild dose of parental torture but ultimately falls short of providing a truly engaging experience for the whole family. While it may appease its target audience of young children, it fails to offer enough substance to captivate parents and caregivers. For those seeking quality animated films that entertain both children and adults, there are undoubtedly better options to explore.
<< photo by Alvan Nee >>
The image is for illustrative purposes only and does not depict the actual situation.
