Pup 2 No Good

Name: Pup 2 No Good
Item: Pup 2 No Good
Rating: 2
Author: Andrea Beach

Movie review by

Andrea Beach, Common Sense Media

Common Sense says

age 5+

(i)

Animated sequel a bit better than original; some peril.

NR
2016
86 minutes

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X of Y

X of Y

X of Y

A lot or a little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

Educational Value

Meant to entertain rather than educate.

Positive Messages

Farm animals demonstrate the value of teamwork, how to get along with others in your community, what makes a family, learning something new, how to be brave, and finding what's special about you and sharing that with others. Kids may not absorb the spoken messages that wrap up each storyline, because they use adult language, possibly from ineffective translation from the Spanish, for example: "To ensure that everybody's freedom prevails, then you have to follow a set of rules" or "One must fight for what one wants, even if it seems an impossible task."

Positive Role Models & Representations

Blackie is an adventurous sheep who likes to do things on her own, like thinking she's better off living in the woods than at the farm with her friends. But she learns the value of friendship, community, and working together. Kanuto is a good example of loyal friendship and caring leadership. Grumbo is gruff and tries to run a tight ship; when the animals push back, he backs down and learns not to treat others so harshly.

Violence & Scariness

Cartoon violence: animals kicking and head-butting other animals, sending them crashing against something or to the ground. Some groans but no injuries. Slight scariness from a wolf who bares his teeth and growls. He says he's a vegetarian and the other animals are still scared of him, but eventually he becomes a friend.

Sexy Stuff

Blackie kisses Kanuto on the face several times in gratitude; Kanuto swoons. They kiss on the lips once, shown from the side with their faces behind another animal.

Language

Consumerism

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that Pup 2 No Good is more of a remake or a revamping of the original CGI movie from Spain, Pup. Most of the main characters are the same, including Blackie and Kanuto. Fortunately, all the awful stereotyping from the original movie is gone. It has mild cartoon violence with kicking or head-butting; characters bounce right back with no injuries shown. There's also some mild scariness from a wolf who growls and snarls. A couple of kisses are shown slightly off camera, although it's clear they're kissing. The odd assortment of misfit farm animals learn the value of teamwork, friendship, family, and living together as part of a community, but the positive messages aren't reinforced effectively for kids.

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What's the story?

In PUP 2 NO GOOD, Blackie the sheep arrives on Liberty Farm for a two-week trial period to see if the farmers want to keep her forever. Kanuto the sheepdog has been put in charge of Blackie, showing her the ropes and helping her settle in. But Blackie's got her own ideas about what she wants to do and how she wants to do it. When the two weeks are up, will Blackie be welcomed forever? Will she even want to stay?

Is it any good?

Fortunately, the bad stereotypes and crass humor of its precursor, Pup, are long gone; unfortunately, it's slow-paced and feels more like a collection of TV episodes than a movie with a story to tell. The content in Pup 2 No Good is fine for little kids, but the random jumps in plot and overly formal messages and morals ("It's not necessary to flee to find freedom") make kids' attention likely to wander early and often. The oddball characters are engaging in short bursts, but as the plot, or lack of it, drags on, they just become repetitive. It's not the worst movie out there, but with so many better choices available, it's not particularly worthwhile viewing.

Talk to your kids about ...

Families can talk about whether the animals in Pup 2 No Good are a family. What makes a family?
Who's your favorite character? What do you like about him or her?
What's your favorite animated movie about animals? Why is it your favorite?