DC LEAGUE OF SUPER-PETS (PG)
Every dog, potbellied pig, turtle and red squirrel has its day in an exuberant computer-animated comedy based on DC Comics characters, who first appeared in print 60 years ago.
The feature film directorial debut of Jared Stern, one of the screenwriters of The LEGO Batman Movie, shares creative DNA with that rumbustious picture distilled into an irreverent script co-written by John Whittington.
Tails wag when an excitable pooch answers the call of a Batman-shaped vinyl squeaker and a deadpan Dark Knight (voiced by Keanu Reeves) observes the reverie and growls: "That better be a licensed toy... or I will freak out!"
DC League Of Super-Pets enthusiastically goes for walkies with familiar characters including Superman, Wonder Woman and Aquaman but shifts focus to the motley crew of critters who will join the Justice League as valiant sidekicks.
It's an outlandish origin story on paws, flippers and trotters that tugs shamelessly on animal lovers' heartstrings and gifts Kate McKinnon a plum vocal role as a furless antagonist with self-delusions of grandeur who is, by her own cackling admission, "a few guineas short of a pig!".
Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart rekindle their bickering bromance from the Jumanji films as canine compatriots, whose initial distrust mellows - predictably - into unerring loyalty.
Krypto the Super-Dog (Johnson) fights alongside Superman (John Krasinski) in Metropolis, thwarting the evil schemes of arch-nemesis Lex Luthor (Marc Maron).
"Superman and I are inseparable. I'm his ride or die," observes the otherworldly pooch, who sports a matching red cape attached to a gold collar.
The unbreakable bond between Kryptonian exiles is tested when Superman prepares to propose to Daily Planet reporter Lois Lane (Olivia Wilde).
Disharmony ripples across Metropolis just as Lex Luthor's former laboratory guinea pig, Lulu (McKinnon), enacts her diabolical scheme to abduct the Man Of Steel and fellow members of the Justice League including Batman (Reeves), Wonder Woman (Jameela Jamil), Aquaman (Jemaine Clement), The Flash (John Early), Cyborg (Daveed Diggs) and Green Lantern (Dascha Polanco).
Krypto temporarily loses his abilities and places his trust in a misfit team of newly superpowered animal shelter escapees comprising Ace the hound (Hart), PB the pig (Vanessa Bayer), Merton the turtle (Natasha Lyonne) and Chip the squirrel (Diego Luna).
DC League Of Super-Pets strikes a pleasing balance between action-oriented set pieces and interspecies angst not too far removed from The Secret Life Of Pets (also featuring a lively vocal performance from Hart).
Stern's picture, co-directed by Sam Levine, has moments when it truly soars ("Pup-up and away!") and there is clear potential for a family-friendly franchise to trot alongside darker forays into a sprawling live-action universe of tormented heroes and villains.
A couple of additional scenes embedded in the end credits provide additional giggles and cute cross-promotion.
7/10
JOYRIDE (15)
Oscar winner Olivia Colman headlines a foul-mouthed road trip across Ireland, directed by Emer Reynolds.
Twelve-year-old Mully (Charlie Reid) lacks love and affection from his con-man father (Lochlann O'Mearain) and yearns for a maternal presence to mould his uncertain future.
In a fit of frustration, he steals his father's cash and a taxi in a bid for freedom.
The plan is quickly derailed when he discovers hungover mother Joy (Colman) and her baby curled up on the back seat of the vehicle.
Two strangers quickly bond as they embark on a journey of self-discovery with Mully's father in hot pursuit.
En route, Joy musters the courage to escape the shadow of her neglectful mother and Mully experiences a caring maternal influence... of sorts.
8/10
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