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Rock Dog

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A scene in Rock Dog. (Black Sheep Productions)
A scene in Rock Dog. (Black Sheep Productions)

What it's about:

For the Tibetan Mastiffs living on Snow Mountain, a dog’s life has a simple riff: Guard a peaceful village of wool-making sheep from the thuggish wolf, Linnux, and his rabid pack. To avoid distractions, Mastiff leader Khampa forbids all music from the mountain. But, when Khampa's son, Bodi, discovers a radio dropped by a passing airplane, it takes just a few guitar licks for his fate to be sealed: Bodi wants to be a rock ’n roll star. Yet that means defying his father’s wishes, heading to the city, and locating the legendary—and reclusive—musician, Angus Scattergood, who needs to write a new song, and fast!

What we thought:

The animation genre is becoming increasingly competitive. The films are no longer only targeted for a kiddie audience but a more mature one too.

The stories are more complex in the themes they cover and even the animation itself is high tech.

With that said the film Rock Dog has a very old school feel to it and reminded me very much of the cartoon dog Brakanjan which I grew up with.

(Sidenote: I bet that theme song is stuck in your head now.)

In terms of storyline and plot it really doesn’t add anything new to the genre. 

The idea of following one’s dreams has been told over and over in many different ways. It also celebrates the unique qualities you have – in this case a singing dog is your strength.

What makes this film work are the likable characters.

Bodi (Luke Wilson) is an optimistic and positive ray of sunshine while Angus Scattergood (Eddie Izzard) is the exact opposite - a cynical rocker.

The interactions between the two characters provide a lot of laughs.

Although the film is about a singing dog – there isn’t much music. It’s more a one hit wonder with one original song that is catchy and inspirational. (Listen to it here)

Rock Dog doesn’t reinvent the wheel but it has heart and likeable characters.

This film is perfect for under 10s the older kids however, won’t be impressed.

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