So yes, DC League of Super-Pets is one of those animated comedies that is aimed at kids but throws in enough adult chuckles for the grown-ups. And yes, DC League of Super-Pets is based on comic characters I love. I don't just mean the heroes but most of the pets are actual comic characters. Many know Krypto but aren't as familiar with Ace (Batman's dog historically in the comics) and Chip (an actual Green Lantern character) and even The Terrific Whatzit (a turtle with super speed who appeared in comics as far back as the 1940s). And yes it is also a self-aware parody (stick around for the after credits scene that shows just how self depreciating The Rock is prepared to get. But that's not the main reason I loved it.
You see DC League of Super-Pets has a moral-to-the-story like most of these sorts of films do and that moral on the surface is rather predictably about finding the value of friendship. Yada yada yada. But... it's about something a bit more complex than that. It's all metaphor for sure but the main plot follows Krypto learning that Superman can love him AND love other people/animals. Krypto starts off jealously guarding any affection Superman has for anyone else (specifically Lois Lane) and through the course of the film not only learns that Superman's love doesn't stop or lessen just because he also finds love with Lois, but that Krypto himself can find love with others (the super-pets) and still love Superman. So much of our pop-culture plays into narratives of jealousy and ownership in love and I was quite touched at home this was a story that challenged that uber-narrative in a very accessible way.
That being said the animation style is fun, just exaggerated enough to be fantastic and with a unique flair. And in all seriousness Kate McKinnon is an absolute joy as a villain, often seemingly channeling the great Andrea Martin. I was here for it. DC League of Super-Pets is a fun, make-you-smile movie. It just also happens to have a great lesson buried in it.
Seriously stick around post-credits.
DC League of Super-Pets
Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Kate McKinnon, John Krasinski, Natasha Lyonne, Diego Luna, Vanessa Bayer, Thomas Middleditch, Ben Schwatrz, Keanu Reeves, Marc Maron, Olivia Wilde, Jameela Jamil, Jermaine Clement, Daveed Diggs, Dascha Polanco, Keith David, Yvette Nicole Brown, Alfred Molina, Lena Headey
Director: Jared Stern
Writers: John Whittington, Jared Stern
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