Dakota
Underwhelming Marine dog drama lacks bite; peril.
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Based on 1 review
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Dakota
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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 Dakota is a family drama about a Marine dog named Dakota who helps the family of his deceased handler. The handler's widow, Kate (Abbie Cornish), is overwhelmed by debt, duty to her community, and caring for her daughter, Alex (Lola Sultan). Kate is depicted as brave, confident, and determined, but not necessarily competent. She and Alex are the lead characters, but they never solve anything on their own: They're always aided by male characters. The villain is a small-town sheriff, but a deputy is shown to have the integrity that's lacking in his boss (who's also his brother -- it's a small town). While there's no language, sex, or substance use to worry about, you can expect some peril and a feeling of doom. Dakota whimpers while remembering the events leading to his handler's death; flashbacks to the battlefield are delivered in snippets to break up the intensity. The Marines' enemies are seen shooting guns, and wounded soldiers lie on the ground, with viewers already knowing that one of them will die. Scenes show someone trapped inside a burning building, but it ends up OK.
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What's the Story?
After losing her husband, Clet, in the war in Afghanistan, Kate (Abbie Cornish) is overwhelmed by trying to keep the family farm afloat, run the town's volunteer fire department, and be a loving, present mother to her daughter, Alex (Lola Sultan). Clet's military bomb-detection dog, DAKOTA, is released from duty to live with Kate and Alex, where he continues to protect and serve as a civilian.
Is It Any Good?
Dakota the dog can't quite fill the paw prints of Lassie, Benji, or Rin Tin Tin -- there's just not enough warm fuzzies in the fur of this Belgian Malinois. While the pooch finds creative means to perform rescues, he's the only one performing here. The direction, the editing, and the writing all fall short of compelling.
The story feels like a screenwriting exercise in which three clichés were picked out of a hat: "service dog," "corrupt cop," and "save the farm." With those three phrases, you know exactly what's going to happen and how it's going to play out. Cornish and Patrick Muldoon affect their best Georgia lilt, but it's not believable. (Credit to Muldoon for not embracing the temptation to go full Rosco P. Coltrane, although his deputy brother is definitely written in the same vein as The Dukes of Hazzard's earnest Enos.) At first glance, it appears that the movie's female main characters are going to be strong and independent: Kate is the volunteer fire chief and runs a farm, and Alex sets out to find a way to save their farm from foreclosure. But all of their victories are achieved with the help of either a man or a dog. Considering that this family drama is from a production company run by two women, that's doggone disappointing.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the role that violence plays in the story. Do you think it's necessary to the plot? Which has more impact: the scenes of explosions and threats, or the emotional ones in which characters deal with grief? Why?
How do the different characters in Dakota demonstrate courage? Why is this an important character strength?
What do you know about service dogs and the ways they're trained to help human companions?
How does a volunteer fire department work? What are other examples of residents working together for the benefit of their community?
Which characters do you consider role models? Why?
Movie Details
- In theaters: April 1, 2022
- On DVD or streaming: September 6, 2022
- Cast: Abbie Cornish, Lola Sultan, Patrick Muldoon
- Director: Kirk Harris
- Studio: Samuel Goldwyn Films
- Genre: Family and Kids
- Topics: Cats, Dogs, and Mice, Horses and Farm Animals, Middle School
- Run time: 96 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: January 26, 2023
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