Film Review: PAW PATROL: THE MIGHTY MOVIE (2023): Animated Sequel Offers Young Audiences a Lot of Humor, Heart and Action

PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie Review

PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie (2023) Film Review, a movie directed by Cal Brunker, written by Bob Barlen, Shane Morris and Cal Brunker and starring Mckenna Grace, Taraji P. Henson, Marsai Martin, Christian Convery, Ron Pardo, Lil Rel Howery, Kim Kardashian, Chris Rock, Serena Williams, Alan Kim, Brice Gonzalez, James Marsden, Kristen Bell, Finn Lee-Epp, Christian Corrao and Luxton Handspiker.

PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie, directed by Cal Brunker, is an enjoyable animated kids’ picture based on the popular canine themed cartoon. This new film is a follow up to the 2021 first PAW Patrol picture in the series and the sequel is a bit better in terms of quality thanks to bigger and better animation and very funny jokes that help keep the action moving at a brisk pace.

The film’s main story opens with a blue-haired, so-called “mad scientist,” Victoria Vance (terrifically voiced by Taraji P. Henson). She wants to get her hands on some major super powers and when a meteor comes to earth, some crystals help give our canine friends, The PAW Patrol, terrific abilities. Though, Vance, is the major villain of the film, she is also joined by Mayor Humdinger (voiced by Ron Pardo) who is in prison and must formulate an escape plan to get out and take over the town.

Set in Adventure City, our heroic pups have a lot of personality. The one that stands out the most is the female, Skye (the energetic voice of Mckenna Grace), who feels small and insignificant but has a lot of heart that could just make her, pardon the term, the “underdog.” Another female doggie that has a lot of spunk is Liberty (Marsai Martin, who provides adorable voice work) who doesn’t initially get a super power when she gets her crystal. Actually, she will get powers as the movie develops but it’s a surprise as to what they will be. The movie is very “flexible” in that regard and that’s all I’ll say.

There are, surprisingly, some great lines of dialogue here. When the pups take to the streets to save those in need, one of our main dog characters says, “You don’t have to go home but you can’t stay here.” This line is humorous and pays homage to a particular song from the 1990’s which is one of my favorites. If you know, you know. Then, in another inspired scene, the smaller PAW Patrol puppies in training must distract a villain and the doggies pretend they’re selling treats. After they close the deal, they tell the buyer it will take “six to eight weeks” to get the merchandise. “That sounds like a long time,” the buyer hilariously responds. It’s a purely inspired interchange that will remind older viewers of when they bought Girl Scout cookies.

Popular characters such as Chase (Christian Convery) and Marshall (Christian Corrao) get just a fraction of the screen time that was expected though they still have their own moments in the picture to shine. The girl power on board the PAW Patrol is certainly overwhelming as Skye proves that she has what it takes to fly an aircraft though she will need help landing from her fellow PAW Patrol members. Liberty is also a character kids will love to watch thanks to her down-to-earth personality.

There are some scenes which could be a bit scary for kids, such as when Mayor Humdinger grows to be a big larger than life villain stomping his feet through the city. Our doggies have just the right way to deal with him, though: Operation Allergies where they go under his nose and mustache to help make him sneeze. Pure genius? Not really but it’s still clever stuff.

PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie is enjoyable to watch. Any kid over four years of age (or perhaps, even younger) should find the film bright, cheery and fun for the most part. There are moments that may go over kids’ heads such as when Humdinger describes something going on in the toilet bowl in his prison cell. It’s all in innocent fun but there’s a little bit of bite in much of the movie’s dialogue. That is part of the draw for adults who will find that they can get something out of the jokes the film presents to its viewers.

In the end, PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie has plenty of magical crystals that drive the plot in entertaining directions. This film also has better than average animation. If you see the movie on the big screen, it also features a music video that precedes the feature as well as a Dora the Explorer short that is a prelude to the feature as well. The combination of fast-paced action, goofy, hilarious jokes and cute characters will keep its targeted audience charmed throughout.

Rating: 7.5/10

Leave your thoughts on this PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie review and the film below in the comments section. Readers seeking to support this type of content can visit our Patreon Page and become one of FilmBook’s patrons. Readers seeking more film reviews can visit our Movie Review Page, our Movie Review Twitter Page, and our Movie Review Facebook Page. Want up-to-the-minute notifications? FilmBook staff members publish articles by Email, Feedly, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr, Pinterest, Reddit, Telegram, Mastodon, and Flipboard.