Dog Man (2025) [Blu-ray review]

Dog Man first came to my attention because it was weird seeing a kid book in so many comic shops. Hell, seeing kids in comic shops is still pretty new to me. Author Dav Pilkey had made a kid friendly superhero tale using talking animals that spoke to something everyone has known since the 1940s. Kids like heroes, people like talking dogs and putting them together has always been a winner. So, join me as I crack open the Blu-ray of Dog Man.

What is Dog Man?

Dog Man unfolds in a city that never sleeps, a comedic take on classic metropolis settings. Our hero, the half-dog, half-human crimefighter known as Dog Man, works at the local police station under the watchful but exasperated eye of Chief, a gruff boss constantly baffled by Dog Man’s antics. When an ingenious cat criminal named Petey hatches a plan to unleash anarchy using an experimental “Meow-ganic Growth Serum,” Dog Man is thrust into a complex web of cat clones, citywide pranks, and an unstoppable monstrous creation that threatens total chaos.

While Dog Man is unwaveringly loyal and well-intentioned, his dog instincts frequently lead to comedic blunders, from chasing squirrels mid-interrogation to burying crucial evidence. Yet, with the help of journalist Sarah Hatoff, a resourceful mayor’s aide named Clarabelle, and rookie policeman Li’l Petey (who harbors complicated ties to Petey’s cat family), the scrappy hero rallies the city’s quirky residents. The film’s second act finds Dog Man grappling with identity issues—where does the dog end and the cop begin? This sets up comedic introspection that ironically contrasts with the film’s broader comedic tone. Ultimately, the final confrontation forces Dog Man to unite the city’s humans and animals, proving that acceptance of differences is the city’s best defense.

Pete Davidson low key kills in this movie

Pete Davidson plays the villainous Pete the Cat. While he causes the accident that makes Dog Man, he also experiments on himself with various cloning efforts. When he can’t ditch the child clone he made, Lil’ Petey goes to live with Dog Man as his new son. It’s cute and very Dick Tracy esque. But, let’s talk about how Pete Davidson just devours the role.

If I was a little kid, I would have been all over this movie. But, when I was the target audience age, we had things like Leonard Part 6 and Rollerbabies to get through. Have you seen those movies? I still like them, but they were bizarre to offer up to kids. Using the source material to guide the way, the film understands what kids want in their action fantasies. A bit of humor, a bit of adventure and some characters that they wouldn’t mind hanging out with on a recurring basis.

What does the Dog Man Blu-ray look like?

DreamWorks/Universal’s Blu-ray release pairs a vibrant 1080p image with a Dolby TrueHD 7.1 mix. The film’s candy-hued color palette emerges with crystalline pop—Dog Man’s bright uniform, Petey’s flamboyant cat fur, the city’s pastel skyscrapers. Fine details, from the comedic muzzle lines to city graffiti, come across sharply. Scenes set at night, under neon lights or swirling cat illusions, remain stable and clear, with minimal banding or color bleed.

The 7.1 audio track envelops watchers in comedic chaos. Each time Dog Man skids across pavement chasing a cat burglar, squealing tires swirl behind you. The film’s score, a bouncy, childlike orchestral style laced with comedic percussion, resonates across the channels with pleasing fullness. Dialogue remains crisp, letting comedic banter ring through crowd scenes and frenetic action set pieces. The special features run the gamut from deleted and extended scenes to featurettes about how to draw, the overall production of the movie and way more!

Final thoughts on the movie

Dog Man might not redefine cinematic animation or the superhero mold, but it’s an undeniably enjoyable family romp that respects the childlike delirium of Dav Pilkey’s source. The comedic set pieces, the swirling color palette, and the sincerity in the film’s message about inclusion and identity combine to create a playful, well-intentioned watch. Whether you come for the cartoonish scuffles, the pun-laced dialogue, or the cat-vs.-dog comedic tension, there’s a surfeit of amusements to keep parents and kids alike engaged.

The DreamWorks/Universal Blu-ray release seals the deal with robust high-definition visuals that pop, comedic audio that immerses, and extras that highlight the process of adapting a beloved children’s graphic novel for mainstream animated cinema. If you or your kids cherish Pilkey’s raucous sense of humor, or simply want a break from more formulaic superhero stories, Dog Man is a bright, manic, and heartfelt alternative. So gather the family (and perhaps the family dog), pop in this Blu-ray, and watch as the scrappy, half-canine hero leaps into comedic action, reminding us that sometimes the most unconventional heroes are exactly the ones we need.

Dog Man is now available on Digital and Blu-ray!