Parents' Guide to Charlie the Wonderdog

This energetic (if somewhat basic) animated story is super at delivering the message that helping others is noble—but it also feels good. And if Charlie the Wonderdog proves anything, it's that Owen Wilson is the reincarnation of a golden retriever. The actor's aw-shucksy voice has brought to life many an animated character before now, but this character feels like his calling. The story takes imaginative play—a child pretending he and his pet are superheroes—and creates the circumstances in which it could play out. Here, the boy, Danny (Dawson Littman), is growing up, and his dog, Charlie, is aging. Charlie is still Danny's loyal furry friend, but it's harder for him to get around, and he can no longer walk up the stairs. It's the hardest part of owning many types of pet: We outlive them, and watching them play less, sleep longer, and whimper in pain is tough for everyone, especially kids. The wish? They suddenly get super powers, restoring their strength and energy.

Charlie acquires his powers courtesy of a bratty alien child who's trying to pick his first pet and tries "improving" each of the creatures he has acquired from various planets by giving them wings, a brain, spikes, and, in Charlie's case, strength and the ability to fly. The alien kid's mom (Rhona Rees), shocked at what her precious son has done, hastily returns the beasts to their respective planets, telling her offspring, "You aren't worthy of having a pet" (go, Mom!). That's when Charlie fulfills Danny's dreams, becoming a hero for his city and coming to the aid of anyone who needs it because "he can't help it, it's who I am." And when Charlie is framed as a criminal, he falls into a deep depression. The story may help children see the love and loyalty that pets (particularly dogs) provide, as well as the shame they (or anyone) might feel when they're told that they're "bad." And for Wilson, this wishful story is a salve for those of us still licking our emotional wounds after the realistic ending of his doggie heartbreaker Marley & Me. There's enough harsh reality in the world; we can all use 90 minutes of fantasy in which a beloved family pet saves the world.