Review by John Delia
Something for the youngsters over 4, Stardog and Turbocat, an animated film that deals with animal kindness to animals, is now available on VOD and Digital platforms. The story may be an old one, but this approach on delivering the message makes it an adventure that young people can understand. Moms and Dads should watch the film along with the very young so they can explain the significance, but all the adventure should be easily recognizable.
Scientist David wants to launch an animal into space to get data that will help everyone on Earth. Knowing how smart his dog Buddy is he chooses him to be the hero who will ride the capsule aboard the giant rocket. Landing back on Earth 50 years in the future, Buddy is puzzled that the people are afraid of cats, dogs and other animals and have been rounding them up and putting them in a pound.
After a near capture by policeman Officer Peck, Buddy bumps into a cat named Felix. He’s a wizard of technology and he dresses like a superhero he calls Turbocat. He’s been avoiding capture himself while working with a genius chief scientist Todd who is experimenting with a substance called Hyperlithium. He takes Buddy back to his hideaway and introduces him to Sinclair, a robot, and his fish named Bullion who heads up the Glenfield Underground Animal Rights Division or G.U.A.R.D. They team up with Cassidy, Felix’s love interest and a brave rabbit, to find the reason why people are afraid of animals.
The animated feature is a good length to give mom or dad a breather and it’s adventurous enough to keep the youngster busy or at least away from their video games. The characters are computer drawn and look more like toys than animals, but that’s a good thing with most kids used to Nickelodeon and the Disney Channel. Their is an infrequent rude word now and then and the action a bit forceful a times, but nothing they haven’t seen on parental okayed TV shows.
Stardog & Turbocat has been rated PG by the MPAA for rude material/language and some mild action. You may want to check it out before allowing the immature to watch the film.
FINAL ANALYSIS: A cool little animated film in the vein of Disney’s Bolt and G-Force. (3.5 out of 5 Stars)
Additional Film Information:
Cast: Luke Evans, Nick Frost, Gemma Arterton, Bill Nighy, and Charli D’Amelio
Directed and written by: Ben Smith
Genre: Animated, Comedy, Adventure, Family
MPAA Rating: PG for rude material/language and some mild action
Running Time: 1 hr. 30 min.
Opening Date: June 19, 2020
Distributed by: Viva Pictures
Released in: VOD, Digital