  Everyone's favourite Great Dane lives it up in Marmaduke, in theatres Friday. |
Marmaduke is a lovable talking doggie — as if you needed another reason to never go to the movies again during the summer.
For the parents of small children and perhaps PETA members, however, this tale of a philosophical Great Dane who speaks with Owen Wilson’s voice is not entirely without merit. Well, actually, it is, but never mind.
Marmaduke gets to talk all the time and do funny things, such as jump out of the bath when he’s all wet and covered with soap. He runs through the house knocking things over, because he’s so big and clumsy. He makes loud farts and loud fart jokes.
Marmaduke lives with Phil (Lee Pace) and Debbie (Judy Greer). Phil’s job takes the family from Kansas to California, where Marmaduke meets a lot of new dog friends at the dog park. The dogs are voiced by such actors as Kiefer Sutherland, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Steve Coogan and Fergie of the Black Eyed Peas. George Lopez voices a cat.
Marmaduke’ s family has moved to California because Phil wants a bigger life. To get that life, he has to go against his true nature, ignore his family, and work all the time. His manic boss is played by William H. Macy.
Mirroring Phil’s moral struggle is Marmaduke’s similar journey in the new neighbourhood. He befriends some mutts, then gets in good with the snooty pedigree dogs and tries to be top dog himself. Marmaduke turns his back on his old friends. So it’s not like the movie has no drama.
Marmaduke fancies a pretty collie named Jezebel (Fergie). A smart bitch named Mazie (Emma Stone) gives Marmaduke some dating tips for the canine world, but Mazie actually has a crush on Marmaduke herself. So it’s not like the movie has no romance element.
After a disastrous house party, Marmaduke is so ashamed he runs away from home. His humans look for him everywhere and there’s a big, scary rescue finale — so it’s not like the movie has no conflict or action. It just feels that way.
Here’s a Marmaduke joke: “I’ve got a new leash on life.”
All the dogs in Marmaduke move their mouths when they speak and many of them are quite funny. The animals also dance and go surfing, and it’s not all CGI, either. Anyway, your kids won’t care how it happens, just so long as those dogs can talk.
The movie even has a message or two. Marmaduke learns to be true to his friends and he learns to be brave. He learns to tell the truth about his feelings. He learns not to fear bullies. He wants all dogs treated equally, regardless of pedigree. Is Marmaduke running for office?
Bottom line: There’s certainly enough here to keep children seated and quiet for 90 minutes. You can save $12.50 and achieve the same effect with duct tape and an old lawn chair, but this may not be the place to point that out.
(This film is rated G)
liz.braun@sunmedia.ca
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