There are plenty of chase your dreams films out there. But, there are few in the animated realm that manage to strike the right notes and appeal to the younger movie audiences out there that can truly resonate on more than one level. Rock Dog is surprisingly that film, and now that it is out on DVD and Blu-Ray, it is a chance for the film to receive a much larger audience than it did with its theatrical release earlier this year.
Bodi (Luke Wilson), a Tibetan Mastiff, knows only one way of life. It is the same way his ancestors have existed. They live to protect the sheep of their village. But, when a radio mysteriously falls from the sky, his universe is greatly expanded. He hears a voice and the music behind that majestic vocal prowess and all he wants to do is the same. Bodi wants to be a rock star. His father Khampa (Oscar winner J.K. Simmons) could not, at first, be less supportive. It’s crazy talk, after all!
One day, when Bodi is listening to his radio, he hears that singer and his words change everything and immediately. Angus Scattergood (Eddie Izzard) tells his listeners to shoot for their dreams, and ignore anyone who tells you it’s not possible. Bodi promptly tells his father he’s going to the big city to pursue his goal of being a musician and surprisingly, he agrees to let him go — firmly believing he’ll be back home in no time.
Bodi seeks out Angus and through a charming and funny series of events, is taken under his wing. The story goes in unpredictable and heartwarmingly astute directions from there in a way that makes Rock Dog a truly unexpected joy for kids and yes, adults too.
When filmmaker Ash Brannon needed his Bodi, Wilson was clearly a slam dunk. He effortlessly plays the part of a soul who is living a predetermined life and must find the inner strength to leave all that behind in hopes of something bigger and more meaningful. The yin to his yang is Izzard’s Scattergood. He has had a hit single and is a huge star, but is having the worst time finding inspiration to pen another blockbuster track and the British comedian revels in the nuances of this super cool cat (he is literally a feline!) and delivers a performance that is absolutely pitch perfect.
Simmons too is a casting match made in heaven. I mean, who better to portray a militaristic Mastiff with a son who tends to stray from the family business, long before that radio falls from the sky?
The score is also one that will further inspire children’s interest in music and may even encourage a few to want to pick up an instrument, if they haven’t already.
The Rock Dog Blu-Ray bonus features takes you deeper into the animated gem, particularly Finding the Fire: The Making of Rock Dog. The cast and director give unique insight into how this animated project came together with the hopes of crafting something unique that is different in every way from everything else animated in the world today.
As we mentioned, the cast is top-notch. How that ensemble was put together is the focus of Mic Check: Casting the Voices. One can see why each person was perfect for their role through this featurette as each actor is not only shown how they got the part, but we see them in action in the booth recording their lines. It is a pure joy.
The other aspect of Rock Dog that compelled us is its animation. That’s another thing that movies of this genre have to do in such a crowded marketplace… stand out artistically. A Rockin’ New World: Animating Rock Dog gives you a look at the storyboards that would inform the animators and inform how the entire animation process was undertaken.
The main song that encapsulates the entire feel of Rock Dog is Glorious. Rock Dog and Roll: Exploring the Music shines a light on Adam Freedman, the co-writer of Glorious (the music video is also included). How the song came to be and its recording is a lesson itself in inspiration. See, Freedman is a music student and submitted his song with dreams of it being chosen and having it heard by the world. See, dreams do come true.
Film Grade: B+
Bonus Features: B