James Gunn produces this anti-Superman horror flick. Elizabeth Banks and David Denham star as a couple who end up adopting the baby they find inside the meteor that lands in the woods not far from their Kansas farm. Everything is going well for the little family until the son turns 12 and his alien superpowers start coming out and wrecking havoc on those around him. Jackson A. Dunn plays the super boy who wears a cape and a makeshift mask while killing anyone who dares tell him no. This is a standard horror film with nothing special about it except missed potential.
"A Dog's Journey" is the sequel to 2017's "A Dog's Purpose" and the human characters are one dimensional, but this is told from the point of view of a dog.
Josh Gad reprises his role as Bailey, a dog who reincarnates as a different dog every time he dies as he is fulfilling his life's purpose.
Bailey belongs to Ethan (Dennis Quaid) and his girl Hannah (Marg Helgenberger). Bailey lives with his boy on their farm in Michigan after proving that he is in fact Ethan's first dog at the end of the first film (remember: reincarnating dog).
Living on the farm with them is Ethan and Hannah's daughter in law Gloria (Betty Gilpin) and their granddaughter CJ (young CJ is Abby Ryder Fortson and adult CJ is Kathryn Prescott). Gloria is an alcoholic who leaves the farm with CJ to ensure that Ethan and Hannah cannot take her daughter away from her. As Bailey dies shortly after Gloria and CJ leave, Ethan gives him his new purpose: take care of CJ. Bailey reincarnates as different dogs throughout CJ's life to ensure that he fulfills his purpose.
As mentioned the characters are one dimensional. This is based entirely off of Bailey's perception of them. There are moments that tug at the heartstrings and bring on the tears, but this is definitely for a specific audience. This issn't meant to be an award winning film, but that doesn't mean it isn't enjoyable.
"A Dog's Journey"
Grade: B-
Running time: 108 minutes
