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Another animation, another animated \u2018hero\u2019 full of good intentions, this time the moral in Rock Dog<\/em><\/a> is: \u2018follow your dreams and don\u2019t let anyone deter you\u2019, with talking animals, akin to Zootropolis<\/em><\/a>. It\u2019s not the latter though (unfairly judged against a larger studio release in some respects), but has its own indie charm, full of funny, cute moments. What is does have is a highly catchy theme tune in \u2018Glorious\u2019, which the kids were humming all the way out of the cinema and down the street afterwards. In that respect, it makes its mark through music.<\/p>\n After a radio falls from the sky, guitar-loving Tibetan Mastiff Bodi (voiced by Luke Wilson<\/a>) hears rock music for the first time from \u2018superstar rocker\u2019 Angus Scattergood (voiced by Eddie Izzard<\/a>), and realises his dream is to be a musician. That goes dead against what his father, guard dog Khampa (voiced by J.K. Simmons<\/a>) wants for him \u2013 he ought to be guarding the sheep of the village against their ancient enemy, the wolves. Khampa reluctantly lets his son go to the big city to fulfill his dream \u2013 and maybe meet Scattergood in the flesh.<\/p>\n Rock Dog<\/em> has some good-hearted, fun characters to ride along with, and a certain easy charm that makes it totally consumable. Although Bodi is the star and certainly resonates with the kids, Scattergood is for the adults. Izzard is hilarious as the cat \u2018music demi god\u2019 who finds most things in life tedious and has run out of inspiration. He is the epitome of \u2018Brit music cool\u2019 though and that alone is enough to make him a memorable character.<\/p>\n Indeed, the plot can be seem coming a mile off before the film has even started \u2013 we know Bodi will be successful, somehow. The film is about the journey he takes, with its quaint innocence from not only Bodi but also the sheep. It\u2019s also a refreshing take, set in the Tibetan hills, from the usual city affair, though it ends up in the Big Smoke.<\/p>\n The other thing is it is all good clean fun for a younger child to watch \u2013 even though it involves a rock star. Even the wolves are not too scary for youngsters (not jumping in mum\/dad\u2019s lap this time), and are like poor imitations from a tame\u00a0Guy Ritchie<\/a> gangster flick (minus any swearing). Centre stage is given to the fledgling Bodi-Scattergood relationship, and the highs and lows of it. In that sense, kids get to see humility in the end, in addition to the rise to stardom.<\/p>\n Rock Dog<\/em> has a lot of lessons for all viewers of all ages to learn from \u2013 after all, it\u2019s never too late for anyone to follow a dream. Some of the humour is a little slapstick and d\u00e9j\u00e0 vu, but utterly harmless, nevertheless. It will make you walk away with a smile and a hum, so that\u2019s not a bad thing.<\/p>\n 3\/5 stars<\/strong><\/p>\n By @FilmGazer<\/p>\n