PAW PATROL: THE MOVIE Blu-ray Review

PAW PATROL: THE MOVIE (Blu-ray + Digital)

Release Date: November 2, 2021

Studio: Paramount Home Entertainment

Video: 2.40:1 1080p Widescreen

Audio: English Dolby Atmos (TrueHD 7.1 Core), English UK 5.1 Dolby Digital, French Dolby Digital 5.1, Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1, Dutch 5.1 Dolby Digital, Italian 5.1 Dolby Digital, Japanese 5.1 Dolby Digital, Nederlands 5.1 Dolby Digital

THE RATINGS

The Movie Itself - ★ ★ ★ ★ ✰

Video Quality - ★ ★ ★ ★ ½

Audio Quality - ★ ★ ★ ★ ½

Special Features - ★ ½ ✰ ✰ ✰

Overall - ★ ★ ★ ½ ✰

_____________________________________________________________________________

THE FILM ITSELF Our Reviewer's Take
Pawsome.

Reviewed by Gavin King

It'd be easy to scoff off Paw Patrol: The Movie based on some simple assumptions. It's a feature-length incarnation of a franchise specially curated for the youngest of the young, it seems, with cutesy canine characters, bright and gaudy colors, no dramatic conflicts or high-stakes kerfuffles, sweet and safe morals, and to top it all off a ridiculously catchy theme song that's almost obligated to haunt the heads of parents nationwide. Chances are, if you have any small children within your residence, there's a 95% chance they know who Chase the German Shepherd is. They're also probably conscious to the fact that Rocky's catchphrase is "Green means go!" and that Skye mans an air rescue helicopter. Let's be real... kids know everything about this show. I'm sure if I just so happened to be born later than I was and the Paw Patrol barked its way into my childhood edutainment then I too would have little plushies of all the pups sitting somewhere in my room. Alas, I grew up on 2000s-era Nickelodeon, with shows like Blue's Clues, Oswald, The Backyardigans, and even a tinge of Yo Gabba Gabba cementing my young-age nostalgia for years to come. They were better days. If I was raised on Chase and the gang I'm pretty sure I'd say the same thing.

So when me being the avid moviegoer that I am and always have been noticed that Paw Patrol: The Movie was... finally... being unleashed into theaters a couple months ago, I had come full circle and knew that my sacred duty had to be fulfilled. I managed to catch an early screening at my local Cinemark, lucky lucky me, my double-digit-aged self in an auditorium sardine-packed with - shocker! - youngin's bent on seeing their favorite pups on the big screen or throwing a fit not doing so. Not having watched a singular episode of the series in full prior to my theatrical experience, I took a deep breath, whispered to myself "serenity now," and dove right in.

Movies based on infantile preschoolers' shows shouldn't be this good.

Marshall, Rubble, Chase, Rocky, Zuma, Skye...

So let me explain myself before I come across as a babbling 20-year-old idiot. For the unaware, Paw Patrol chronicles the missions of a team of different-breed dogs, each of whom essentially represent a rescue or safety service integral to their happy little community of Adventure Bay. For example, German Shepherd Chase is the police pup, Marshall the Dalmatian fights fires, Skye the Cockapoo directs air rescue, Rubble the Bulldog's all about construction (with his bulldozer in tow - brilliant, right?), and so on, more or less. All of their missions are manned by a kid named Ryder, who admittedly does a pretty bang-up job moderating the team considering his age. (I repeat - it's a Nick Jr. show. Stop asking questions and enjoy what's in your face.) Simply put, every pup in some way contributes to helping out a dire friend in need of assistance, or really just maintaining the peace and tranquility of the Bay they're proud to reside in.

In the film, the Patrol's longtime arch enemy Mayor Humdinger - the full-of-himself, pompous, but quite frankly just silly purple-dressed overseer of Adventure City - has some dastardly ideas of his own. He's made it crystal-clear to his citizens that townside blessings like museums, libraries, and dog parks just aren't his cup of tea, and as such plans to rid those and everything "boring" just like 'em to make room for groan-inducing statements of sheer capitalism. Y'know, like comically tall skyscrapers, a loop-de-loop roller coaster that's definitely not up to safety standards, all the sorta stuff that makes you just stare with a deep sigh and realize that this is where your tax dollars are going. For the Paw Patrol, this means war. Er, rather, cute and sensual conflict resolution.

Liberty!

So, this shouldn't work, but against every single odd that is present in the cinematic galaxy, it does. Honestly, leaps and bounds better than one would understandably predict. Paw Patrol: The Movie succeeds amidst its consistently-associated expectations of cutesiness because, let's be real here, while it certainly does aim for being cute (and, alright, being effectively cute), it does so with an unexpected charm and wit. I'm quite frankly surprised it worked as well as it did for me in the first place - me being someone who before sitting to view the film had absolutely zero prior knowledge of the Paw Patrol lore and characters - but give a paw to director Cal Brunker (who you may or may not recognize from such animated romps as 2013's sadly obscure Escape From Planet Earth) and company for making things click. The movie thrives off of its distinct, individualized character personalities in the pups and their connection to the plight they face in the story. It's irresistible as heck and it's not unlikely that many audiences will leave the film with at least one favorite character in mind. Whether that's the adorable clumsiness of Marshall the Dalmatian or the bubbly street smarts of dachshund Liberty, the newest member of the Patrol introduced directly in this film, it's not at all difficult to root for the heroes and, while doing so, admiring them for their mannerisms, hobbies, and ways of going about things.

The film is ridiculously easy to watch and digest. It's a briskly paced adventure full of wholesome messages and likable morals that are clear in delivery but never hamfisted or, worse, sickly or sappy in the vein of inferior children's entertainment that came before and after it. It's all super accessible and difficult to resist. The way certain plot points and conflicts are dealt with is comfortably and cozily reminiscent of a really solid episode of Friendship is Magic (apologies for referring back to the horse show, but here, the analogy works) and much less like a rushed, destined for VOD throwaway project. Everything feels very theatrical in its presentation - the animation here gets a huge facelift from the comparatively iconic-but-mundane series, and the story hits some truly surprising dramatic beats I was not expecting for a big-screen adaptation of a supposedly fluffy Nick Jr. show - yet it perfectly attends to that harrowing balance to keep the kiddos jumping for joy and cheering on Chase and the friends. 

I'm as shocked as you are, but honestly, the film nails about everything it needs to get right. With a wide appeal, nimble pacing, slick animation, admirable characters, and a tidy plot with just the appropriate amount of drama - about as much as you can muster from a Paw Patrol movie - there's really no reason to walk out without a smile or, at least, a light grin knowing that the film surpassed toyetic expectations. Of course, unless you're a measly cynic whose heart was at some point in your life torn out. Or Mayor Humdinger. Or maybe you're just both.

PAW PATROL: THE MOVIE Blu-ray - Video Quality

Paw Patrol: The Movie's 1080p Blu-ray presentation is most certainly on a roll. Framed at a handsomely cinematic 2.40:1, the video is super crisp, clean, and free of any major calls for alarm. Only a couple very light splotches of mild banding is the only thing really worth mentioning. Even then, they're fleeting. Unsurprisingly, colors are the definition of eye-popping, with ceaselessly vibrant hues and shades literally around every corner. Chase's blue, Skye's pink, Rubble's yellow, Marshall's red, and the rest of the Patrol's characteristic colors are of course terrifically represented, but viewers would also be wise to keep an eye out for the realistic streetwise tones of Adventure City and even the almost cool blue tints in Kendra's science lab; environmental supports look wonderful, and that's helped by the fantastic detailing on display, too. Truth be told, the animators have left no bone unfetched; naturally dog fur is the main draw (the differences between Chase's short hair and Skye's fluffier tufts are fun to contrast) but everything else in between, from building structures to doorframes to even little scratches on the interior of a doghouse just go to show the amount of TLC the filmmakers pour into making these films look mighty good. The image has no trouble with black levels (nighttime scenes, with rain especially, maintain a strong appearance) and contrast and saturation are both in perfectly tip-top shape. While a companion UHD release was unfortunately not put out by the folks at Paramount, it would be very interesting to see how one would be able to only improve on a presentation as lovely as this. As things are, though, there's really no reason to complain. Fans will be very happy.

PAW PATROL: THE MOVIE Blu-ray - Audio Quality

Paw Patrol answers the call on Blu-ray with a Dolby Atmos presentation; props to Paramount for including the film's best available theatrical mix despite the lack of a UHD (unlike some studios). Better still, the Atmos track is a hoot. Obviously, it's not as punishingly loud as something like Tenet - that would simply be overkill and, more, would scar the children - and anyone with expectations like that would be wise to pick that film up. As for Paw Patrol, though, it's a fun, carefully designed audio experience. Every channel is in some manner engaged and listeners will consistently feel as though they're with the pups on their missions... that's a good thing for the little ones, as their naïve imaginations run deep. Listen as Skye's helicopter seamlessly zooms from back to front, rain pours all around us in the final showdown (this is also one of the coolest, most prominent bits in the track involving the overhead channels), and above everything else little bits of action-y support fill the stage with, to be honest, more activity than I was personally expecting from a preschool-geared source. The subwoofer likewise doesn't roar, but it is also a neatly complimentary accessory to all that goes on; an explosion in the sky towards the film's end is a nice example of its presence being in check. Really, the track is about balance; nothing is hushed, and nothing is blaring. It finds that snug little in-between that attends to all the film tosses its way with precision and detail, which also extends to musical output; Adam Devine's catchy tune made for the film, "Good Mood," sounds energetic and lively, as does Heitor Pereira's score, which has plenty of room to breathe in each available channel. To cap it all off, spoken dialogue achieves flawless clarity and intelligibility among all of its surrounding elements. As an interesting aside, the Blu-ray also boasts an English UK dub Dolby Digital 5.1 track, in which the American voices in the core Atmos track are replaced by the veteran voice actors from the UK iteration of the series.

PAW PATROL: THE MOVIE Blu-ray - Special Features

Paw Patrol: The Movie barks up a storm on Blu-ray with a glossy-finish, non-embossed slipcover. Pull it off and open the case to reveal the singular Blu-ray disc in the Paramount-typical plain blue artwork along with a digital copy code and an ad for Paramount+, the studio's streaming platform. When Paramount is going to finally jump onto the Movies Anywhere bandwagon is anyone's guess at this point. The disc is kept inside an Elite-branded case that does not appear to be eco-friendly.

The disc includes the following supplements:

- A Totally Paw-Some Team (1080p, 6:02) A kid-friendly overview of the pups of the Paw Patrol and their neat gadgets and skills that make them beneficial to the team.

- ACN: Adventure City News Reports with Marty Muckraker (1080p, 1:57) Marty Muckraker, Adventure City's premier news anchor, reports on Chase's rags-to-riches story with Ryder, as well as Liberty's entry into the Patrol.

- Paw Patrol: The Movie Lyric Video [Reimagined Theme] (1080p, 1:38) Clips from the film are intercut with song lyrics from the Paw Patrol theme, performed by The Math Club.

PAW PATROL: THE MOVIE Blu-ray - Overall Recommendation

As I have already made clear, I initially walked into Paw Patrol: The Movie without an ounce of prior knowledge about what a "Pup Pack" was or knowing that the characters' home was a quaint little town by the name of Adventure Bay. One of the best things I can assuredly state about the film is that it motivated me to watch an episode or two of the series. During the time between when I saw the film back in August and now when I am writing this review, that is exactly what I did. My final conclusion is that the series is admirable in its own right and the movie only augments that. I doubt that's how many other 20-year-olds like me will react, but suffice to say Paw Patrol: The Movie just might be one of the biggest surprises of 2021. It's insanely sweet and cute but makes all the right calls to have just enough depth and gravitas to lift it above the expectations one would sensibly contain. If only more big-screen incarnations of kids' edutainment were this imaginative. It helps, too, that Paramount's Blu-ray package is a solid one, blessed with gorgeous video and a lively Dolby Atmos track. The only nitpick? The bonus content could, and should, have been bigger. But the kids? Pfft, they're here for the movie, and, hey, you just might end up taking the same route as them. Highly recommended.

Additional screenshots:

UGLYDOLLS Blu-ray Review

UGLYDOLLS (Blu-ray + DVD + Digital)

Release Date: July 30, 2019

Studio: Universal Studios Home Entertainment

Video: 1.85:1 1080p Widescreen

Audio: English DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1, English DVS 2.0

THE RATINGS

The Movie Itself - ★ ★ ★ ★ ✰

Video Quality - ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Audio Quality - ★ ★ ★ ★ ½

Special Features - ★ ★ ✰ ✰ ✰

Overall - ★ ★ ★ ½ ✰

_____________________________________________________________________________

THE FILM ITSELF Our Reviewer's Take
The film? Anything but ugly - fun for families from start to finish.

Reviewed by Gavin King

What's that? You're angered by that positive four out of five star rating above and me touting the film as "fun for families"? You want me to stop writing and beg for me to not be given any work for the future simply because I holster an opinion that's notably different from what you consider the "factual" majority? Well, allow me to apologize. I'm sorry we're not all the same and I don't have the nerve to label this innocent family film as what you consider to be "cringe-worthy", "pointless", and "the film no one asked for". I'm sorry our opinions aren't the same and we can't all live in this Anti-UglyDolls harmony of yours where you folks seemingly bash the devil out of this poor film. Now, am I saying that your opinions are wrong? Absolutely not. Hell, critics and audiences loved the hell out of 2017's Wonder Woman and I personally was not thrilled by it, yet here I am. But don't you think that mercilessly stabbing a film with countless insults and unpleasant comments such as "I'm glad this stupid kiddie movie failed, it deserved it" is fairly harsh? It's one thing to say you thought a film was bad and call it day - again, we all have our own opinions - but to reign threats over the kind folks who brought the film into fruition is just plain too much. Lots of hard work gets poured into these things and, even if the film is toxic to your eyes, hoping that an animation studio goes bankrupt because of one simple movie is ridiculous. What's more, some of these detractors haven't even seen the movie for themselves! So with all of this said, here's my kind advice you can hopefully take to heart: watch the film in full before you form an opinion and don't shove your negative thoughts on the film in everyone's face just to try and get them to hop along your bandwagon. It won't work, and quite frankly they're not stopping me from all of it. Because I loved UglyDolls. Much like the characters who lead the film, it's not flawless, as all things aren't, but it's a splash of irresistible fun, blooming with catchy songs, likable characters, colorful animation, a game cast, and touching messages everyone could use a little of - including those quick-to-assume [animated] movie bashers. 

Perfection vs. imperfection.

Our story begins inside a doll-making factory, where the most seamlessly sewn together plushes are designed for their own special kid to adore. Every now and then, though, there will come the inevitable "reject" - a doll that's not quite as up to standard as the others. Such dolls then get sent to the utopia that is Uglyville, a peaceful little town where discarded dolls of all sorts converse, throw parties, and live their lives to the fullest, despite the fact that they'll never experience the bliss of being with a child who loves them. The optimistic Moxy (voiced by Kelly Clarkson), however, believes there's still a second chance she can accomplish this. Her best friends - Ugly Dog (voiced by Pitbull, appropriately), Lucky Bat (voiced by Wang Leehom), Wage (voiced by Wanda Sykes), and Babo (voiced by Gabriel Iglesias) - aren't so sold on her idea, though. They enjoy life in Uglyville, and so does Moxy, make no mistake. But she's still striving to head to the other side to try for a chance at a second life. She ultimately convinces her skeptical pals to join her on a journey amidst the barriers of their village, to seek out if there really is that special child waiting for them. But the gang soon realizes it's not as easy to introduce themselves to their owners as they believe. 

Our heroes land at the Institue of Perfection, a high-class society where spiffed-up dolls of all sorts must be trained through a rigorous course to ensure each doll is of the utmost flawlessness. It's ran by Lou (voiced by Nick Jonas), who is supposedly the "most perfect" of the dolls, and it's clear he takes no prisoners the second the Uglies come face to face with him. "You're way too thin", "Your head's too small", "Your nose starts right but then ends up all wrong", he spits at the surrounding prospective dolls. His introduction is halted, however, when he catches sight of Moxy and friends. Whereas the Uglyville citizens take the word "Ugly" as a compliment", Lou's version of "Ugly" means such a characteristic is frowned upon in Perfection, which in turn upsets Moxy. But, being Moxy, her distress is only temporary. Nothing can stop her from following her dreams! With a little convincing, Lou begrudgingly lets them stay - albeit in the rusty supply suite - under one condition; they must follow Lou's every command and request to ensure they're meeting up to his standard so she and her friends can finally be in the tender loving arms of a child. 

That's what they want you to believe.

UglyDolls isn't a crater of vast originality. Such themes of "be yourself", "embrace imperfection", and "your flaws make you beautiful" have been trekked through in animated movie cinema before, so ultimately it's not much of a shocker as to where UglyDolls guides its core plot arc, at least narratively. But does it all really matter when the film's presentation is so much fun? UglyDolls is such an infectious ball of joy that is irrefutable optimism rightfully shadows over any flaws in the story. It's on display right from the start when our heroine Moxy belts out a seriously catchy and fun tune about the joys of living in Uglyville and how it "couldn't get better than this"... except, maybe, for the big world, of course. Each musical number works, not simply due to their catchy nature and replay value but also thanks to the wonderful animation, which is appropriately cartoonish and unique within the confines of the aurora of the UglyDolls universe. The worlds are beautifully designed, appropriately odd considering the film's major focus, as are the characters, each of whom boast their own cute little quirks; Moxy is missing a tooth, Ugly Dog has one eye instead of two, Wedge Head (voiced by Emma Roberts) has, well, literally a wedge for a head... it's obvious that care was infused into building each character, making them stand out rather than fit in, akin to the film's messaging.

The film thrives on its optimism and bubbliness. Normally this would fall into the often gullible trap of "style over substance"; it's an unfortunate plague that has spread its plaque over too many modern films, live action and animated alike. But with a movie such as UglyDolls, I almost feel as though I'm falling for its relentless spunk, discarding any plot holes or story inconsistencies only to be won over by its animation-laden charm. It's easy to mark this as a fatal error on the film, since its message is to "embrace your innermost flaws" yet the film sometimes eeks by with entertaining on the outside. Blu-ray.com's Martin Liebman posted an excellent review of the film which you can view at your leisure here; he disliked the film but gives a justified explanation of his point of view which discusses the film's battle between its messaging and its superficial points. Yet here I am writing this review saying I loved the movie. Maybe I'm part of the problem. Perhaps I'm too easygoing with forgiving an animated movie's blatant issues since I'm so passionate for the genre. And I personally had a ball with it nevertheless. As I write this review Ugly Dog and Lucky Bat plush keychains are resting on my car's dash. I own the original film soundtrack on CD and frequently give it a spin as I drive to work. Whatever the filmmakers of UglyDolls did to cast me under its alluring spell, they sure as hell nailed it. Fun characters, peppy songs, great animation, good humor - it's the rare animated movie that for me looked past its blips for an all-around irresistible time. Flawed movie? Yeah. Fun movie? You better believe it.

UGLYDOLLS Blu-ray - Video Quality

Coming from Reel Fx Animation Studios - the same team that brought the vividly gorgeous The Book of Life to fruition - it should come as no surprise that UglyDolls looks wonderful in high definition. This is an endlessly buoyant and effortlessly crisp presentation that doesn't let up for a second. The animation is incredibly well-rendered, and textures leap right off of the screen. The tactile felt of the Ugly Dolls themselves is probably the highlight when it comes to impressive detailing. Each cluster of fur on their bodies is as pristine as they come, and the same can be said for the "pretty" dolls, especially when it comes to their yarn-like hair. It's just a really well-defined image, and soft corners or blurred splotches are nowhere in sight. Now onto the colors. The vibrancy and vigor of each onscreen hue cannot be understated. Such colors can lack nuance by creative intent but there's no mistaking their sincerity when the spotlight is shone on them. The main Ugly characters, again, stand out - the peppy pink of Moxy, the cool blue of Ugly Dog, the bold red of Lucky Bat - but one should also pay special attention to finely tuned background supports that bring forth colors that are just as impressive as the expected doll highlights. The image is also healthily deep, with firm and strong black levels and perfectly-tuned whites. Ugly compression artifacts are nowhere to be found; even the animation-trademark banding is completely insignificant. Case in point: Universal has done a magnificent job with maintaining the undeniable visual spirit of UglyDolls.

UGLYDOLLS Blu-ray - Audio Quality

UglyDolls weaves up a DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 lossless soundtrack which to my ears played out somewhat timid at standardized reference volume. Cranking the volume knob upward a few decibels helps to freshen up the track into groovy, immersive fashion. Each musical number is mixed with top-notch precision and terrific instrumental positioning. The fronts dominate the beats and drum-like aspects of the tunes while the surrounds take care of some of the more orchestral underpinnings that may not be quite so easy to pick out underneath the thumpy hits. All-in-all, the songs sound great, and if you enjoyed the film like me, you'll find listening to each with the volume turned up high worth it. The soundtrack additionally handles prominent and zippy sound effects with appreciable verve, packed with silky-smooth pans and rich clarity. An incinerator in chapter fifteen is particularly forceful and demanding; the bass extension is wonderful and the listener will feel completely enveloped into the tense chaos. Generalized ambient effects are implemented very well, too, whether that be through rambunctious din in Uglyville or the varied crowds throughout the Institute of Perfection. The track is wrapped up into a nice little package thanks to spot-on prioritization of spoken dialogue and the crispness the comes with it. Crank this one up a bit and have fun.

UGLYDOLLS Blu-ray - Special Features

This Blu-ray release of UglyDolls features a sing-along version in addition to the standard feature film, in which the film's musical numbers play out with karaoke-style lyrics on the bottom of the screen.

- Making UglyDolls consists of five parts:

BTS Countdown (1080p, 0:48) A short introduction to the film and its cast.

Couldn't Be Better (1080p, 0:59) Takes a brief look at the film's voice cast and their corresponding onscreen characters.

Broken and Beautiful (1080p, 1:01) Kelly Clarkson, the voice of Moxy in the film, sings (no pun intended) her praises about the film's featured song.

The Ugly Truth (1080p, 1:04) Nick Jonas, voice of Lou, talks up his role in the movie, the song he performs, and the film's core messages.

Pitbull (1080p, 0:58) Pitbull, voice of Ugly Dog, briefly discusses his character and the film's themes.

- Fun with the Cast of UglyDolls also consists of five parts:

Would You Rather (1080p, 1:03) The cast of UglyDolls challenge themselves to a few "Would You Rather?" questions.

Cast Talents (1080p, 0:49) What secret talents have the cast been hiding since now?

Kelly's Gifts (1080p, 0:48) Surprise! Kelly Clarkson receives an UglyDolls gift basket.

Kelly's Reaction (1080p, 0:54) Kelly Clarkson finally watches the full film for her first time.

Ready, Set, Draw (1080p, 1:01) The cast attempt to draw the characters they portray in the film.

- Sing-Along Tease (1080p, 1:30) An introduction to the sing-along iteration of the film.

- Trailers include Trailer 1 (1080p, 1:59), Trailer 2 (1080p, 2:47), and Trailer 3 (1080p, 1:48).

UGLYDOLLS Blu-ray - Overall Recommendation

I loved UglyDolls. Apparently that's an opinion I'm not allowed to have. The anemic critical notices (a measly 27% on review aggregate Rotten Tomatoes as of the time of writing) and toxic general public response should be enough to cement that into place. Should be. But regardless I enjoyed this film and for me to simply force myself to essay up a "negative" review for a movie I had a ball with would kill me. I love animation and therefore I love a film like UglyDolls. Now that's not to say there isn't a single animated movie I don't like - I mean, my Blu-ray review for the godawful The Emoji Movie should be the shadow of proof there - but I can ultimately appreciate animation if it attempts something that washes over its flaws that still makes the moviewatching experience a fun time. UglyDolls did exactly that for me. It has some narrative flaws that can stick out like a sore thumb when one thinks about the plot deeply but just damn it all if it isn't simply a blast. The film thrives on its infectiousness and charm and it's difficult to not smile at least once while watching it. The characters are fun and wily, the songs are peppy little earworms, and there's an undeniable heart at the film's core despite some flubs that attempt to crawl up the film's sleeves. It's a frivolity, but a hugely entertaining frivolity at that, and it helps that Universal's Blu-ray release is an all-around solid compliment. Faultless video, terrific audio when turned up a bit, and a few brief extras round out the disc. Recommended, but I can't guarantee you'll be as won over by its mysteriously cheery little spell as I ended up as the credits began to roll.


ADDITIONAL SCREENSHOTS: