Dog Movie Review

“Dog” sounds as though it will be nothing more than a remake of an older movie — “Turner and Hooch in Fatigues”. But no, this movie gets into a quite different aspect of the ‘odd couple’ pairing of one ex-Army Ranger and one ex-Army Ranger canine.

Jackson Briggs (played by Channing Tatum) is a Ranger on the sidelines. His time in Afghanistan was brutal on his body and on his mind. He was severely injured and is now working minimum wage in a sub shop near the Army base in Washington. The military hero winds up making sandwich heroes. Jackson is yearning for a substantial job in a private security outfit working overseas. If only his old commander would make a call and clear the way…

His old sergeant does contact Jackson, and he says he will make that call that will change Jackson’s life. His Ranger friend Riley has died, and his Army Ranger dog is wanted at the military funeral in five days. Hey, no problem – right? Pop on a flight and get the pooch over for the parent’s final goodbye for their son. Well, one problem with that idea. The Belgian Malinois dog, named Lulu (played by Britta and Lana and Zuza) — she does not take to flying or travelling. This dog has been injured almost as bad as Jackson. She is mentally a wreck, also like Jackson.

Jackson has an old beat-up pickup, with a back camper shell. That will be perfect for Lulu to camp out during that drive from Seattle area to Nogales, Arizona. This is going to be an easy assignment. And when he gets it done, Jackson will be able to that high-paying security job and shake off these mental woes. Then he remembers that his friend Riley died, but it was not in combat. Riley killed himself by driving at 120 mph into tree. Those war demons that haunted Riley still haunt Jackson. Lulu is now his responsibility. Then after she shows up for the burial, he is supposed to take Lulu to White Sands. She is going to be put down. Because her handler is gone, and there is nobody who can control her.

Jackson soon finds out that Lulu does not take kindly to cages and to muzzles. She still is sensitive to people touching her ears, and is likely to chomp off a digit or two. In Portland, Jackson stops for few drinks. That is, a few more drinks on top of the drinks he usually has in one day. He tries his charms with the ladies, and mostly strikes out

Futher down the road Jackson lets Lulu out and she makes a run for it. Lulu finds a hidden pot ranch, and the owner/farmer (played by Kevin Nash) kidnaps Jackson. The farmer’s wife (played by Jane Adams) treats Lulu for some injuries, bother physical and mental. The retired hippies see that Jackson and Lulu are OK, and not out to take them down. They are soon on their way again and Jackson when they get into San Francisco.

Jackson thinks that a large luxury hotel would never say no to a wounded vet and his Hero dog. Especially if the vet is ‘blind’… It is a shifty little con, but it works out for Jackson and Lulu. The big hotel comps a really nice room on the top floor, with a big room service dinner. Later on, Lulu spots a man in Arab clothing, and she bolts off to chase a terrorist — or so she thinks…

After a run-in with law enforcment, Jackson and Lulu and once again on the road. They stop once more to visit Lulu’s brother, who is also a retired war dog, and his handler (played by Ethan Suplee). Jackson is shocked that his old Army Ranger buddy has taken a different route and settled down. Jackson thought it is the one thing that he would never be able to do. But what if he did, who would keep him company? Someone like Lulu? Maybe they can find somebody at White Sands to give Lulu another chance, but it is not his job.

Jackson and Lulu must finally leave again, because the funeral is getting close.  But then things start to break down. Jackson’s car has trouble, and he has been robbed of his meds. It is raining cats and (of course) dogs – and there are still many miles to go. They find an abandoned shack by the road, and they stay for one night. But at dawn, they must make it the Nogales border, so they can reach the burial of his buddy, Lulu’s old handler.

But will Jackson get Lulu to the cemetery on time? Will He be able to get the dog to behave with all the commotion? Can he get Lulu over to White Sands, and will those people try to help her out? Or is it going to Lulu’s final day?

“Dog’ shows that Channing Tatum can handle the duties of being a lead role in the movie, but also work as the co-director (along with Reid Carolin). His effort show that he is invested into the meaning behind this movie, about finding yourself and your redemption in what you do for others. Even if the others whom you help out is mostly a cranky ex-Ranger dog trained to be terrifying. The story is simple and goes along with ease, just the road trip for Jackson and Lulu.

“Dog” shows that Channing Tatum is able to ‘learn new tracks’. Maybe this one is not cut out for “Best in Show”, but it will in the end throw you a bone!