Common Sense Media Review
By Tracy Moore
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Cute tale of gunslinger and her dog has iffy female rivalry.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 9+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Adventures of Pepper & Paula
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
Pistol Packin' Paula's (Mindy Raymond) show is going well, and her newfound friend, dog Pepper, makes for a great addition to the lineup. Paula has even met a guy, Malcolm (Donny Boaz), who loves what she does and wants to write a book with her about her adventures. But when the ranch adds interloper Lula Belle to the lineup and a terrible accident hinders Paula's physical abilities, it's unclear whether the show will go on or if Paula will have to walk away from all she's ever known.
Is It Any Good?
ADVENTURES OF PEPPER & PAULA has a premise kids will love: a gunslinger with cool tricks and an adorable dog by her side. The shows the ranch puts on are fun, and after each event Paula talks to kids about why practice makes perfect, mistakes are OK, and the only way to fail in life is by never trying in the first place.
Those are great messages for girls, but some of the subplots fleshing out the rest of the movie may not only fail to hold kids' attention but also seem to undermine the girl-power vibes. In large part, it's the focus on a rivalry between Paula and Lula Belle, a performer brought on sheerly for her sexiness and flirtation, that may foster stereotypes about female competition, and Paula's remarks throughout that Lula Belle is only there to "show some skin" may inadvertently teach girls to shame other girls for how they dress. It's a consistent-enough plot point to give pause to parents of very young kids, especially girls, who are subjected enough as it is to such negative images and messages.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why dog movies are so popular. Which one is your favorite?
Does it seem fair that Lula Belle gets to be in the show? Why, or why not?
Are you good at any tricks the way Paula is? Which ones? How long did it take you to be good at the trick?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : May 12, 2015
- Cast : Mindy Raymond , Donny Boaz
- Director : Kevin Nations
- Studio : Vertical
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Animals
- Run time : 90 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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