Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		0.0
Overall		3.0

Show Dogs Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman August 18, 2018

Show Dogs amounts to little more than a talking animal movie created mostly in the real world rather than in the digital realm. The film features a number of canines of all shapes and sizes, popular breeds, unique looks, and the added benefits of a "dog show" setting where the glitz and glamor of the most pampered pooches is on full display, set against a Las Vegas backdrop, that allows the film to have fun by literally and figuratively parading any number of breeds onto the screen. The film captures a playful tone from the beginning and hangs on to it for the duration, playing to jokes and using the plot as little more than a springboard for humor and, maybe just a bit more than subtly, as a platform to speak against animal cruelty.

"My name is Max. I'm here to rescue you."

Max (voiced by Ludacris) is a Rottweiler and an NYPD canine officer who speaks fluent English and verbally interacts with humans. He’s the “toughest cop on the force” who “always works alone.” On his latest stakeout down by the NYC docks, he's looking for smugglers selling an eight-week old baby panda stolen from a local zoo. Max leaps into action at an opportune moment, but his actions foil the FBI’s attempt to take down the bad guys. But Max and the NYPD gain relevant intel from the operation: a Vegas-based dog show is serving as a front for an animal smuggling cartel. Max is teamed up with a human detective, Frank (Will Arnett), and goes undercover as a contestant in the show, with Frank posing as his handler, in an effort to rescue the kidnapped panda and bring down the bad guys.

This is a simple, cute, and cheerful movie. Dialogue is funny and fast, and Max makes for a memorable lead. It’s nice to see a Rottweiler headline a movie rather than some of the more “cute” or “classic” breeds that usually headline dog movies (think Beverly Hills Chihuahua and Benji for "cute," K-9 and Old Yeller for "classic;" that was one of the good things about Turner & Hooch, too). Of course Max's physical traits are only part of the appeal. Ludacris voices the animal with enough attitude to give him an edgy personality but also enough of a heart and friendly vibe to make the character accessible, fun, and memorable. Ludacris and Max the dog alike enjoy good chemistry with co-star Will Arnett. It might not be on the same level as Jerry Lee and James Belushi -- and the material isn't quite that good, either -- but there's an unmistakable rapport that sees them carry one another though the film, whether gut-busting humor or what passes as intense action in a family film.

Show Dogs is as much about that humor and interaction along the way (enhanced by some choice Vegas cues) as it is the actual meat and potatoes plot lines that drive the action. Since the film can't construct, never mind sustain, any kind of storyline to engender audience enthusiasm, its focus remains rightly on Max and Frank and all of the other animals, notably dogs, who either peep in to say "hi" or serve as either story critical or memorably tertiary pooches. There's a veritable all-star list of talent voicing the dogs: Jordin Sparks, RuPaul, Gabriel Iglesias, Stanley Tucci, Alan Cumming, and former NBA superstar Shaquille O'Neal who portrays a big white shaggy dog and at one point in the movie randomly spouts off his impressive basketball credentials and somehow makes the moment work. If nothing else Show Dogs is never wanting for more creative, diverse, and enthusiastic voices for its talking four-legged movie stars.

Show Dogs Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The digitally photographed Show Dogs impresses on Blu-ray. The opening sequence, at night on the wet New York City docks, reveals impressive textural definition and location depth. Environmental intricacies -- various signs of wear on pavement, railings around the yard, old shipping containers, and the like -- are impressively sharp and finely detailed down to the finest little examples of wear and weathering. Max's fur doesn't disappoint, either, revealing enjoyable complexity and individual strand clarity. The following bright city establishing shot and well-lit police station interiors continue with the image's impressive detailing, and that continues throughout the film as the action shifts to Sin City's intricate dazzles. Intimate human facial details, sharp clothing lines and fabric definition, and plenty of glitz and glamour around Vegas dazzle in practically every shot. Colors are well saturated, punchy, and numerous. The Vegas locale allows for a multitude of hues which are always at the top of their game. The transfer's drawbacks are few. Extremely minor banding and modest noise in select shots are about the only negatives of note.

Show Dogs Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Show Dogs barks up a storm on Blu-ray. For a family film, Universal's DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack really means business. Music is large and in charge. It's energetic, spills from every speaker with equal aplomb, and is never shy about blasting and belting notes with high yield intensity. Surrounds are fully engaged and the music plays well even in competition with various surrounding action effects, whether subtle details such as spacious public address speak during the dog shows or big chase scenes and crashes. The subwoofer channel kicks in rather prodigiously in support of the first dog show scene in chapter seven, and it's never at all timid about engaging with impressive depth and thump throughout the movie. PA announcements echo nicely throughout the stage (listen to chapter eight) and there's almost a sense of quasi-overhead engagement at play, too, if it's only trickery of volume and reverberation. Dialogue is never problematic, presenting with effortless front-center positioning and the occasional release from off to the side. In total, this is a very efficient delivery that handles all elements at the peak of 5.1 surround capabilities, particularly considering the film's family-friendly nature. It's sad when Show Dogs sounds better than billion dollar Disney blockbusters do on Blu-ray, but kudos to Universal and the film's sound designers for making this a fun, high yield listen that compliments the movie extraordinarily well.

Show Dogs Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

This Blu-ray release of Show Dogs contains no supplemental content. The top menu offers only options for "Play," "Chapters," and "Setup." A DVD copy of the film and a Movies Anywhere digital copy code are included with purchase. As per Universal new release norm, Show Dogs ships with an embossed slipcover.

Show Dogs Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Show Dogs obviously won't generate any buzz come Oscar season, but it's a fairly agreeable little family film that has all its ducks in a row. Plenty of cute-and-cuddly animals (most real, dome digital), some fun voice work, and a framework plot bring the movie together into an agreeable and surprisingly well-rounded 90-minute entertainer. Universal's Blu-ray is unsurprisingly featureless, but the studio has provided a rock solid 1080p transfer and a zesty 5.1 lossless soundtrack. Recommended.