Marmaduke (2022)
Comic animated adaptation has cartoon violence, stereotypes.
Marmaduke (2022)
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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 this animated adaptation of the comic strip Marmaduke stars Pete Davidson as the voice of the overzealous Great Dane. Expect a fair bit of slapstick/cartoon violence: Human and animal characters run into things, fall from heights, and are threatened, smacked, shot at with toy guns, electrocuted, and nearly hit by cars. Body parts catch on fire and are slammed, squished, and bitten. Dogs fight, and schoolmates tease and bully his family's kids for things Marmaduke does. Marmaduke appears dead in one scene; in another, he runs away from home and seems not to care whether he gets hurt. There are also accidents, fights, chases, crashes, and injuries. Language includes "heck," "freakin'," "poop," "butt," "oh my God," and lots of taunts, including "suckers," "loser," "jerk," "stupid," and more. Depictions of championship dogs representing nations other than the United States lean on stereotypes: There's a taco-loving pup from Mexico, a seductress poodle from France, a wise martial arts expert from China, and so on. But characters do learn positive lessons about accepting and helping others and the rewards of hard work and discipline.
Community Reviews
Just so you know I’m 14 not an adult
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This is one of the worst movies I’ve ever seen.
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What's the Story?
MARMADUKE (voiced by Pete Davidson) has once again unintentionally ruined things for the Winslow family thanks to his overzealous nature. The family thinks it might be time for obedience school, but before they can get on that, a world-class trainer appears at their door offering to work with Marmaduke. The trainer has been inspired by a TV personality who challenged him to take on this "impossible" job after a video of the dog's shenanigans went viral. He shows Marmaduke the ways of a champion and puts him in shows. Will Marmaduke be able to control his own worst impulses and believe in himself enough to be a champion?
Is It Any Good?
This film will likely appeal to the youngest of viewers, who might revel in the always-silly antics of the big dog and appreciate the movie's positive story, undemanding characters, and fart humor. Marmaduke is an irrepressible but loveable oaf, a winning combination that explains so many spinoffs of the classic comic strip.
This version, available in 3D, doesn't bring a lot of new ideas to the table. It puts Marmaduke in obedience training and up against world champions in dog shows. It's a setup for disaster, which comes in the form of a major incidence of intestinal discomfort from overeating. It's also a classic underdog setup for triumph, which the Great Dane of course perennially deserves.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how this film differs from other versions of Marmaduke or the comic strip. What's the appeal of this character?
What countries do the other championship dogs represent? What shorthand ways of representing those countries does the film use? Why can stereotypes be harmful?
What lessons does Marmaduke learn in his training? What do the Winslows learn? How about Guy?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming: May 6, 2022
- Cast: Pete Davidson, Jason Anthony, J.K. Simmons
- Directors: Mark A.Z. Dippe, Youngki Lee, Phil Nbbelink
- Studio: Netflix
- Genre: Family and Kids
- Topics: Cats, Dogs, and Mice, Friendship
- Run time: 90 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: February 17, 2023
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