How ‘DC League of Super-Pets’ Laps Gunn’s ‘Superman’

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DC League of Super-Pets” is often overlooked as a forgettable addition to the “Superman” movie series.

It’s amusing because despite being just three years old, it’s already deeply rooted in the DC movie franchise. Interestingly, this film shares an uncanny resemblance with a later DC Comics-inspired failure (details to follow).

The movie isn’t just an amusing, unexpected hit; it surpassed expectations initially labeled as children’s entertainment and turned out to be something special. What I appreciated most about it was the inclusion of Krypto the Dog, which was surprisingly missing in James Gunn’s latest “Superman.

A fantastic prolog narrates the demise of Krypton, but this time from the viewpoint of baby Kal-El’s canine companion, Krypto the dog. As the planet Krypton disintegrates and Kal-El’s parents launch their son into an escape pod, the boy implores for his pet, who Jor-El arranges to accompany him as they journey through space while Krypton erupts in destruction.

The animation from this point on is breathtaking, yet what truly resonates are the intricate character details. Krypto, portrayed as a puppy, offers solace to a tearful Kal-El aboard their spaceship en route to Earth. I found myself on the verge of tears and about to shed a flood, until there was a sudden shift, revealing a glimpse of their current lives in contemporary times.

In present-day Metropolis, mature Kal-El transforms into Superman (played by John Krasinski), and his steadfast canine companion Krypto (portrayed by Dwayne Johnson) has grown up too. Every morning, they embark on a walk together, donning their superhero outfits, which includes sprinting through the park, soaring among the clouds, and protecting Metropolis from Braniac.

The tune is that of Queen’s “You’re My Best Friend,” yet it carries a mood that is both lighthearted and amusing, while at the same time, it narrates an earnest Superman tale without any hint of jest.

In simple terms, when Krypto talks, both he and the other animals around him can understand him. However, Superman and all other humans just hear Krypto’s usual barking sounds. Despite this, Superman truly loves Krypto, but it’s clear to him that the dog is deeply infatuated with him.

A funny visual moment I enjoyed was when Lois Lane (Olivia Wilde), while secretly enjoying a moment with Superman on a park bench, looking deep into his eyes, suddenly notices that Krypto is sitting some distance away, fixated on them.

Krypto sheepishly smiles and waves at them.

Beyond sharing all the same powers and talents as Superman, Krypto also exhibits an honest and cheesy demeanor, similar to the Man of Steel. For instance, he frequently uses puns such as “Pup, pup and away!”. When Krypto encounters another dog named Ace (Kevin Hart) and a group of rescue pups with genuine issues, Krypto finds himself unsure about socializing with them.

An additional issue arises due to Lex Luthor’s guinea pig, Lulu (played by Kate McKinnon), sharing the same desire as Krypto to win over their master. This pet of his is hatching an audacious plan for global control.

In some instances, the animation’s tone shifts to depict flashbacks, such as a humorous series of events suggesting that Superman has a stronger bond with Lois Lane than with Krypto. Additionally, there is an emotional scene reminiscent of the “When She Loved Me” sequence from “Toy Story 2” (1999), during which we uncover the reason behind Ace’s separation from his home and the child he protected.

In a surprising twist, Ace’s introduction along with his unique contrast to Krypto initiates the storyline. Unlike typical child-oriented animated comedies, this series leans more towards subtle and sophisticated humor rather than relying heavily on crude or lowbrow gags. For instance, it’s humorously hinted that Krypto’s waste has a distinct sandalwood smell, but overall, the comedy is refined and thoughtfully presented.

One subtle difference is that despite the chatty pets and playful dialogue, “DC League of Super-Pets” doesn’t resemble either “The Secret Lives of Pets” (2016) or its follow-up. Instead, it shares more similarities with the intelligent and thrilling “Bolt” (2008). If you were to pair them together for a movie night, “DC League of Super-Pets” would make an excellent companion piece to this film.

McKinnon’s tiny yet mischievous guinea pig brought to mind Pinky, a character from the animated series “Pinky and The Brain” produced by Warner Bros. between 1995 and 1998. The humor in Keanu Reeves’ portrayal of Batman is infectious; each line he delivers brings on hearty laughter.

As a film enthusiast, I must admit that the middle portion of the film seemed slightly sluggish at times and developed a charming yet harmless quirkiness. However, the climax was where it truly shone, bursting with energy and bringing all the elements together in an engaging manner.

Although abundant with intellectual property and Warner Bros. allusions, it avoids the pitfall of feeling like a hollow intellectual property exercise similar to “Space Jam: A New Legacy” (2021).

In a fun and entertaining twist, “DC League of Super-Pets” showcases the comedic talents of both Johnson and Hart more effectively than their lackluster performance in the 2016 film “Central Intelligence”. The star-studded cast delivers strong performances, but it’s Krasinski’s clever portrayal of Superman, Johnson’s hilarious dedication to Krypto’s over-the-top devotion to Superman, and especially Reeves’ side-splitting line deliveries that earn the biggest chuckles.

An additional noteworthy point: David Keith’s amusing portrayal of Dog-El, Krypto’s father, who communicates humorous messages from beyond the grave; my personal favorite being “Fireworks are terrible!

Not only does it boast an outstanding soundtrack, but the closing Taylor Swift track stands out as my top pick among her works. The climactic finale is truly magnificent and successfully delivers the emotional impact intended. While this is a humorous superhero tale, the dramatic tension is effectively established.

This story explores the emotional turmoil that might afflict the pets belonging to superheroes, as their owners grapple with their own problems. The underlying theme is universal: no matter if we’re discussing animals, people, super-beings or a combination of all, there’s someone out there for everyone.

The post-credit scene featuring Johnson’s vocal work as both Krypto and Black Adam, which was planned to follow this film, is the aspect that didn’t pan out. The disappointing introduction to ‘Black Adam’ serves as a sign that the current phase of the DC Cinematic Universe is under James Gunn’s control now, with ‘Black Adam’ (2020) and ‘Blue Beetle’ (2023) no longer part of the picture.

The movie “DC League of Super-Pets” performed well at the box office (earning around $93 million in the U.S.) and is now available on various streaming platforms, with HBO Max being one of the main platforms to watch it. I don’t often hear it mentioned alongside the greatest films based on Superman, but here’s a fun twist – despite its cute, kid-friendly nature, this hilarious film manages to please both hardcore fans and their parents alike.

Rather than focusing on the reduced screen time Krypto has in Gunn’s PG-13, profanity-laden, and violent “Superman,” I suggest starting from a more kid-friendly perspective by highlighting instances where Krypto was constantly at Superman’s side, much like The Rock.

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2025-07-14 20:03