Krypto the Super-Dog (Dwayne Johnson) and Superman (John Krasinski) are inseparable best friends, sharing the same superpowers and fighting crime side by side in Metropolis. However, when the Man of Steel and the rest of the Justice League are kidnapped, Krypto must convince a ragtag group of animals to master their own newfound powers for a rescue mission.

Audiences both young and old are continually enchanted by the actions and world-saving narratives of Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and the Justice League. But this group of heroes are about to take a step back as their four-legged friends including Krypto the Superdog, Ace the Bathound, PB, Chip and Merton McSnurtle are called upon to save the world in DC League of Super-Pets. When Lex Luthor, Superman and Krypto’s arch-enemy plots a new way to conquer the world with a new form of orange kryptonite the stakes could not be higher. But his mission doesn’t go quite accordingly to plan, and instead of Luthor gaining otherworldly powers, the animals of Metropolis do instead. Then rogue guinea pig Lulu (Kate McKinnon) steps in with her own plans to conquer the world, and it’s up to Krypto and his new friends to save the day.

From start to finish, DC League of Super-Pets is complete and absolute fun. With its original narrative and unique framing of the story from the pet’s perspective, DC League of Super-Pets gives audiences an entirely fresh look at the DCEU and the heroes and villains who make it up. Director Jared Stern brings an incredible level of creativity and freshness to this story, its four-colour visuals pop with classic comic book flair, and the artistry and animation are just brilliant to look upon. The storytelling is very original and delves directly into man’s connection, need and love for the relationship with his pets and this emotion and meaning are explored throughout the picture. Then there’s the comedy and this is of course top-notch, and these jokes and gags will have you giggling in your seat.

DC League of Super-Pets gets an absolute all-star cast with the likes of Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, John Krasinski, Keanu Reeves, Olivia Wilde, Jameela Jamil, Vanessa Bayer, Diego Luna, Natasha Lyonne, Marc Maron and Kate McKinnon. Johnson and Hart again continue their game of one-upmanship with each of their respective roles, but while the hi-jinks are hilarious and the superpowers fun, there’s a considerable level of drama to each of their performances, and themes of love, loss, abandonment and hope come into play in relationship to the presence of Krypto and Ace. However, if DC League of Super-Pets does have a scene-stealer then it’s most definitely Kate McKinnon as the megalomaniacal guinea pig Lulu, who is bent on conquering the entire world and she has a blast with this very evil guinea pig!

As a cinematic experience, DC League of Super-Pets just has everything that both parents and kids could want to see on screen. There’s some high-flying action, some flat-out laugh-out-loud moments, plenty of big drama and world-saving moments, and a good serving of love that is certain to touch the audience in that very special way. Whether young or old, this is a movie that the whole family can watch and whether they’re new to the world of Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman or are long-time stalwarts of the DCEU, they’re certain to get a kick out of this film.

DC League of Super-Pets is a truly special film that every member of the family will love. You won’t just like this movie, you’ll be guaranteed to love it, and it’s delivered with the perfect amount of heart that audiences will leave the theatre feeling energized and with a very big smile on their faces making it a perfect watch for the school holidays.

Image: Warner Brothers Pictures

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After four teenagers, Spencer (Alex Wolff), Bethany (Madison Iseman), Fridge (Ser’Darius Blain) and Martha (Morgan Turner), are sent to detention they discover a long-forgotten video game called Jumanji. Suddenly sucked into the game they assume the games four lead avatars; Dr Smoulder Bravestone (Dwayne Johnson), Franklin “Mouse” Finbar (Kevin Hart), Professor Sheldon “Shelly” Oberon (Jack Black), and Ruby Roundhouse (Karen Gillan) and must learn to trust each other and work together if they are to finish the game and return to the real world.

While many questioned the need for a sequel, especially with the late passing of Robin Williams, I can firmly say that Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle is one very well-crafted film. Director Jake Kasdan does something special with Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle and uses the new film’s setting of an over-the-top video game to his advantage. This setting and its ‘in-game rules’ make for a fresh approach to the Jumanji franchise and leads to many unexpected surprises.

When talking about Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle one can’t look past its impressive cast and how they work within the film. While major leading Hollywood stars Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Jack Black and Karen Gillen lead the film, it’s actually their ‘real-life’ players Spencer, Fridge, Bethany and Martha that control their performances. This leads to some absolutely hilarious comedic moments such as Johnson’s paralyzing fear and aversion to danger on Spencer’s behalf, Hart’s heightened weaknesses which include both speed and strength, even though Fridge is a football player, Jack Black’s valley girl, air-headedness that result from Bethany’s penchant for status updates and selfies and Karen Gillan’s basket case Martha who becomes one hell of butt-kicker with her penchant for dance fighting, although her flirting skills still need a little bit of work. As an audience member, it’s great to see all of these actors play against type and to really dive into their ‘real world’ characters.

If I had to select a favourite character it’d fall between Smoulder Bravestone/Spencer and ‘Mouse’ Finbar/Fridge for me. I loved seeing Dwayne Johnson poking fun at himself and playing off his Jock stereotype as a full-on nerd and Kevin Hart just goes for it with plenty of outlandish humour and his new found zoology knowledge definitely cracks you up.

Trust me when I say that you won’t stop laughing while watching Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle. The humour is quick and fast here and all of the major stars get their chance to throw their personalities into the film. If there is a standout in terms of comedic performance though then it most definitely has to be Jack Black as Professor Sheldon “Shelly” Oberon/Bethany, a cartographer who takes on the persona of a spoilt, bratty, self-involved social media princess and Black completely owns it! With his hips shaking from side-to-side and his high pitched voice Black is hysterical and his performance as Bethany is sure to leave a smile on your face.

But while Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle is filled with laughs and action it’s also a profoundly deep film that analyses themes such as friendship, loyalty and courage. One of its sticking points is that you have to accept courage and do everything you can to actually live your life, cause you’re only going to have one of them. This message is particularly inspiring and as the main characters learn to accept themselves for who they are they find their strength in one another to help finish the game. I wasn’t expecting for Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle to be so deep, but I’m glad that it was because the message that it gives its audience is a very reassuring and triumphant one.

Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle is a whole lotta fun, and if you’re looking for some big-level blockbuster entertainment this Christmas then I highly recommend you get along and see it. Packed out with laughs, action and some adorable characters, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle has everything you want out of blockbuster entertainment…and it sure is wild!

Image: Sony Pictures

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