Quote:
Originally posted by ALA
I agree.
The strangest thing is they could've gotten a good emotional beat with
Duke's former owner having died
but they totally glossed over it right after you find out. 
Oh, and that scene in the hot dog factory...  I mean at least it was so bizarre it was memorable but what in the world. I don't know what's up with kid's films like this and even The Good Dinosaur having scenes where the characters get high. |
Yeah, that was very odd. I half expected there to be a reveal/joke that he wasn't actually dead because they didn't make much of it.
The chief problem for me was that I don't think they made you care about the main dog (forgot his name). He wasn't particularly likeable, and neither was Duke. Their rivalry went a step beyond silly sibling rivalry, yet not far enough to be proper enemies. it was like Buzz/Woody but without charm.
Personally, I'd have made the audience care more about the main dog and his owner. Then introduce the catalyst of change with Duke getting the owners attention, making main dog jealous, causing the rivalry/confrontation which causes the rest of the film. I'd have made the anti-pet street gang more menacing and feature the dog catchers more. Give the white dog a character story arc where she's very 'indoor' but gets over it to find main dog and save the day. In the meantime, we then find out Duke's backstory which makes you understand why he refused to get dumped by a new owner. The ending is main dog realising they have to put aside their differences, he needs to be less selfish and share his owners affections.
