Rock Dog 3: Battle the Beat
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Rock Dog 3: Battle the Beat
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Rock Dog 3: Battle the Beat is a sequel to the animated films Rock Dog and Rock Dog 2. In this installment, Bodi (voiced by Graham Hamilton) participates in a reality TV music competition show. There's some animated violence, including characters arguing, name-calling, and shoving each other. One character gets hit by another with a frying pan. A character admits he likes another character after rescuing her. He says he wants to kiss her and they kiss multiple times. For a while, Bodi starts to get caught up in the show business side of things and throws "zingers" at the other coach. He soon realizes these unkind words can create lasting negative impressions and hurt feelings. The show's host repeatedly tries to stir the pot and create drama for ratings, but she too learns her lesson. There are also frequent positive messages of unity, togetherness, living in harmony, friendship, and being true to yourself.
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What's the Story?
In ROCK DOG 3: BATTLE THE BEAT, Bodi (Graham Hamilton) takes some time off from his rock concert tour to return home. Back in his village, the animals are living in harmony, but Bodi finds everyone is hooked on a show called Battle the Beat. When a young group of contestants admits they don't know who rock legend Angus Scattergood is, Bodi decides he should join the music competition show in hopes of inspiring the next generation of rock stars. After joining the show, Boni quickly gets sucked into the hype and energy of show business and starts engaging in dramatic stunts. This not only causes rifts on the stage, but also back at home in their previously peaceful community where viewers, watching the negative energy transpire on the show, also start to have more animosity toward one another. Bodi and the K-9 group have to work together to try to create music to bring people back together.
Is It Any Good?
Rock Dog 3: Battle the Beat is a basic animated story with a surprisingly impactful theme about the effects of media. Though the movie doesn't hit you over the head with the message, it's noticeable enough to spark a conversation with kids about the impact media can have on our emotions and behavior. In the beginning, Bodi is a charismatic and caring musician who wants nothing to do with a reality TV show, but once he's swept up in the hype, his behavior starts to change for the sake of votes and popularity.
Viewers at home witnessing this change, and the change in the people watching the show at home, can note how the negative behavior impacts the crowd tuning in to watch night after night. Though the movie itself isn't anything to write home about, the plot does provide some easy conversation starters for fans of the Rock Dog franchise, or music and reality TV fans in general.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the impact Battle the Beat had on viewers watching the show. How can movies and TV shows change the emotions of people who watch?
Host Hazel talks about how she wanted drama for the show to be more entertaining. Do you think there are shows and movies on TV that try to do the same thing? Why do you think people continue to watch?
What does quality media look like to your family? How do you decide what kinds of movies and TV to watch?
What other films have you watched with animals as the main characters? Were they humanized (walking upright on two feet, speaking English) like in this movie? Do you like movies with animals acting like people? Why or why not?
How did Bodi and the K-9 group demonstrate teamwork, unity, and togetherness?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming: January 24, 2023
- Cast: Graham Hamilton, Ashleigh Ball, Andrew Francis
- Director: Anthony Bell
- Studio: Lionsgate
- Genre: Family and Kids
- Topics: Cats, Dogs, and Mice, Friendship, Music and Sing-Along
- Character Strengths: Teamwork
- Run time: 87 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: January 27, 2023
Our Editors Recommend
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Shaun the Sheep Movie
Tons of barn-animal fun in sweet stop-motion adventure.
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Zootopia
Charming buddy-animal story promotes teamwork, perseverance.
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Rock Dog
Animated comedy is old-fashioned and fun; some peril.
For kids who love animals
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