I’m surprised it took this long for a super pets movie to be conceived by Warner Bros. It’s always been a recurring theme in DC Comics with superheroes having their own super pets. Hell, even Superman had a Super Horse at one time or another. In either case, “League of Super-Pets” feels like a next interesting step in the DC animated universe that I hope can continue in one way or another. While the movie isn’t perfect, it sure is a fun diversion with a neat narrative.
Krypto the Super-Dog and his owner Superman are inseparable best friends, sharing the same superpowers and fighting crime side by side in Metropolis. However, when the Man of Steel and the rest of the Justice League are kidnapped by Lulu the evil Guinea Pig, the former pet of mastermind Lex Luthor, Krypto must convince a ragtag group of animals, including Ace an abandoned dog, to master their own newfound powers for a rescue mission.
I’m not sure I’d call “League of Super-Pets” a masterpiece, but it sure is a fun little film. I think it warranted more of a home media release, but that being said it’s a good start to what should have been a full fledged movie series. The movie stacks a top notch list of voice actors to play some of the best DC Comics characters ever conceived, and has a good time not only paying tribute to them but also poking fun at them. While the movie does garner hefty appearances by the gallery of DC heavyweights, the movie is focused primarily on Krypto once Lulu beats the Justice League.
Not only does he have to learn how to work without his powers, but he also finds companionship in a world that he thinks he has figured out. While there could be an undercurrent of sadness with these abandoned animals, the writing keeps the movie consistently light hearted. We feel bad for these abandoned pets, but with their potential for good the movie keeps our spirits lifted through their obstacles. The supporting cast do a bang up job with everyone from Kate McKinnon and Natasha Lyonne offering some hilarious performances. There’s also some memorable turns by John Krasinski as the Man of Steel. There’s also Marc Maron, Olivia Wilde, and Jermaine Clement respectively.
The highlight though is the turn by Keanu Reeves who plays the brooding Batman, the dark knight who is consistently mourning the loss of his parents ad hilarity. If anything the movie does go on a bit too long, and there’s way too much set up in the beginning with Superman and Krypto. That said, “League of Super-Pets” is a good DC Comics fix for young fans that also has a wider appeal for the older audience. There are enough Easter Eggs and satire to placate the older fanboys and fangirls, while the comedy and action is always fast paced and energetic. It’s a shame we’ll never likely get a follow up, because “League of Super-Pets” is a neat gate way film for budding comic book geeks.