Plot: What’s it about?
I admit that I really had no desire to see A Dog’s Purpose. I had no idea really what the plot was all about, nor did I investigate it much. It just looked like another kiddie flick about a talking dog, or something along those lines. Growing up, I never was much of a dog person. I had fish and parakeets and that’s about it. While my parents divorced when I was pretty young, my dad always hated dogs. He just wasn’t a dog person, and I think that got instilled in me. Later in my teenage years I did inherit my brother’s two large dogs. I can truly see how they’ve been labeled “Man’s best friend” as they really do become your family. All dog owners have been through the heartache and pain of having to put a dog down. It’s never easy and sometimes it happens sooner rather than later, but it’s always an emotional experience. I bring this up because Purpose definitely brought out some of those personal emotions for me. I’ll delve more into that in a second, but I’m definitely thankful I didn’t pass up the chance to review this film (though I wasn’t exactly given a choice) as it took me by surprise and is quite a moving experience.
The story follows a dog who is born and dies, but is reincarnated as a different dog. We see this happen through four different breeds over the course of the film. As the film begins sometime in what seems like the 1950’s, we’re never given a specific, but we can gather from the vehicles, among other things that it’s this era. We hear a narration from the dog getting us up to speed. This young pup is taken to the pound where he’s euthanized and then reincarnated as a Golden Retriever. A young boy named Ethan and his mother rescue this dog and bring it home. We follow Ethan’s life into his teenage years where he’s destined to have a good college career as a football player. I won’t reveal more of this story-line to avoid spoilers, but eventually the dog has to be put down and is again reincarnated as another dog. We then follow that dog’s story-line as it finds another owner.
I’ve specifically left out certain parts of the film’s plot as I feel it’ll be more rewarding for viewers to discover for themselves. I will say that something about this film just worked for me. It did take the film a little while to do so, but when I got an idea where the film was headed, I began to appreciate it more. There were times when it was a bit too cutesy, or cheesy if you will, but it surpassed those moments. Once we come around to the film’s ending, it all sort of makes sense. Again, I won’t spoil things, but I appreciated how things came full circle and it was all explained. It did get me a bit emotional as well. Part of me wished that the first story with Ethan was followed through the entire film, but by the end of the film, I realized why this decision was made. The film is well worth checking out and will likely take some by surprise.
Video: How’s it look?
Universal has done it again with another great transfer. The image is AVC encoded with a 2.39:1 ratio that leaves little to be desired. The print is clean and free of flaws and features strong detail tThe DTS HD track is about as expected. It serves its purpose and delivers pretty much what I expected it to. Vocals were fine and the rears came in when they were needed. The music and all has a nice clarity to it with no issues to speak of. It serves the film well.hroughout. Close-ups are nicely detailed and textured as well as background shots. Despite a few minor complaints, this transfer satisfies overall.
Audio: How’s it sound?
The DTS HD track is about as expected. It serves its purpose and delivers pretty much what I expected it to. Vocals were fine and the rears came in when they were needed. The music and all has a nice clarity to it with no issues to speak of. It serves the film well.
Supplements: What are the extras?
- Deleted Scenes
- He’s a Keeper
- We’re Raising a Monster
- I Wouldn’t Eat That
- A Member of Our Pack
- Bailey Soaks Ethan and Hannah
- Bailey’s Ball Stuck in a Tree
- Bailey Sees Hannah in Town
- Ellie Finds an Alzheimer’s Patient
- Carlos Doesn’t Want to Socialize
- Good Girl
- Old Photos – Version 1
- Old Photos – Version 2
- Buddy Searches for Food
- A Familiar Place
- Ethan or Nothing
- Outtakes
- Lights, Camera, Woof! – A behind-the-scenes look at the making of the film.
- A Writer’s Purpose – Learn the story behind W. Bruce Cameron’s beloved best-selling novel.
The Bottom Line
I must admit that this film surprised me. I can’t say that I loved it, but it came awfully close. It was emotional without feeling manipulative and heavy-handed. It’s also one of those films that gets better as it goes along. Once we get used to the film’s structure and how things start to play out, we can appreciate it more. I enjoyed where things would eventually go as well. Recommended.
