Space Dogs: Tropical Adventure

With a lackluster story, songs that don't quite hit the mark, and an underwhelming voice cast, this third Space Dogs movie isn't going to entertain audiences like the first two. While the previous films used well-known actors like Chloe Grace Moretz, Ashlee Simpson, and Alicia Silverstone for their English dubs, this one doesn't boast any recognizable voices. Kids may not notice that, but there are also moments when the translation doesn't match up precisely with the characters' expressions or gestures, and, even when it does, it's not always engaging. But the dialogue is preferable to the songs, considering that the voice actors don't sound like professional singers. The alien's rap song in particular is outright cringeworthy, but the jellyfish pirates should elicit a few laughs from younger audiences. Now that the series' storylines are completely based in fantasy, there's not as much history involved -- although this might be the only children's movie in which American kids will hear lines like "we go together like Marx and Engels" or see a giant seal with Soviet tattoos like "CCCP," red stars, and the iconic hammer and sickle.

This is an example of a family-friendly series that has pretty much outlasted its entertainment value, but there's no denying that little kids love talking animals. It almost doesn't matter what context those animals appear in -- and here there are so many to choose from, even beyond the two space dogs. Lenny the rat and his pal the adorable cockroach will likely be favorites, although kids (and parents) might be confused about what kind of curvy rodent Lenny's love interest is, not that it matters much to the story. The gang-like parrots might scare some young viewers. And as for the aliens, well, one looks like a porcupine crossed with an elephant, and the other looks more like a humanoid alien. At least they aren't scary. If your kids have seen the first two Space Dogs movies and are eager for more Belka and Strelka, this could be a serviceable pick, but unless they're already fans, it's not a must-see.