This superhero story takes on themes of teamwork, friendship, and trust. Like actual cats and dogs, StarDog and TurboCat are always at odds and manage to foil one another’s plans. The relationship between animal and human master is also scrutinized. While PETA isn’t going to like this part, TurboCat was thrown out of his home for accidentally scratching his young master’s hands. As light at this plot sounds, there’s something sinister brewing just beneath the surface. See, our heroes are entirely in the dark about StarDog’s real purpose of going to space.
“…has a specific audience in mind, and it’s not me, the adult.”
It’s hard to watch StarDog and TurboCat and not think that Disney and Pixar can do this better. The animation is pretty good with standard cartoon movement and character design. It only lacks the photorealistic details and textures associated with Pixar. Filmmakers lean into a marketable story for children featuring cute animals, spaceships, and superheroes. Buddy acts like a dog adept at chasing and fetching. Felix is cunning, yet mesmerized by sunbeams, laser pointers, and catnip. The plot to forever place a wedge between humans and animals is silly with a fair amount of slapstick.
StarDog and TurboCat has a specific audience in mind, and it’s not me, the adult. I can say I watched the film with my tween daughter and she gave it a positive review. She thought all the animals were cute (particularly the cats), loved the action which reminded her of the Justice League and Teen Titans. Though she didn’t know anything about Luke Evans, Nick Frost, Gemma Arterton, or Bill Nighy, she went nuts over TikTok star Charli D’Amelio. Though there’s not a lot for us adults, the kids will love StarDog and TurboCat’s endearing characters and goofy fun.
"…a marketable story for children featuring cute animals, spaceships, and superheroes."
