Wilson lends his drawl to a dog who gains superpowers after being abducted by aliens in this frenetic animationIn an ever more threadbare release schedule, there’s little in the way of a backup plan for any youngsters and parents shut out of The Mandalorian and Grogu. The major studios’ animation departments have already delivered the blockbusting likes of Hoppers, Goat and The Super Mario Galaxy Movie to multiplexes this spring, setting distributors scrabbling around to dig up filler material for kids’ matinee shows. If a new, Chinese-produced Tom and Jerry caper doesn’t spark undue enthusiasm, the most immediate family alternative would be this very ordinary Canadian digimation, featuring the voice of Owen Wilson as a dog with superpowers.Co-writer and director Shea Wageman earns some points for weirdness. The titular pooch is one of a menagerie of household pets beamed up one night for alien experimentation. (This PG-rated entertainment comes perilously close to busting out the probes.) Returned home with the ability to fly and speak in a recognisably Wilsonian drawl, Charlie resolves to use his superpowers for good – becoming, if you will, Bark Kent. This indulges in more of the movies’ virulent anti-cat propaganda: neighbour’s puss Puddy (Ruairi MacDonald) breaks bad, pledging to punish his now-cowering owner, and indeed humanity entire, for failing to empty his litter tray. Continue reading...

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/film/2026/may/20/charlie-the-wonderdog-review-pooch-v-puss-caper-owen-wilson-animation