'Oh My Dog' is currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video. In this section, we are going to review the latest direct-to-streamer release.
Story:
Fernando (Vinay Rai) is a don-like figure who is eyeing a world record at the upcoming high-profile dog talent show. He believes in breeding the best dogs. When he finds that a pup in his lab is blind, he orders it to be killed. A gaffe committed by his two funny henchmen results in the pup running away.
A school-going young kid named Arjun (debutant Arnav Vijay) crosses paths with the pup, takes it home and grooms it. Against all odds, the pup is destined to score a victory. In this Arjun has to contend not only with Fernando, but also the tempers of his father Shankar (Arun Vijay) and his grandfather (Vijayakumar).
Analysis:
This film, originally made in Tamil, marks the debut of Sarov Shanmugam, who has penned the story, screenplay and dialogue as well. For a live-action film, 'Oh My Dog' is absolutely lazy and lacks finesse. There is no complexity, and the creative juices go out the window after the first act.
Films of this sort can work only if they can engage kids with novel ideas and engaging comedy. Predictability is one thing. This film is filled with low-stakes scenes where the emotions just don't hit home. There are no adrenaline surges worth a mention.
The story revolves around the pup Simba. But the solo shots for the pup are nearly absent in crucial portions. And where such shots are there, the impact is lessened by the uncreative presentation. As a result, the viewer is never invested even if she has settled for the fact that some kids films are meant to bore adults.
Nowadays, children are exposed to dramas and actioners unsuitable for their age. In 'Oh My Dog', a dog talent show is staged as if the film was made in the 1990s or 2000s. The lack of highs is one thing. This one has dull dialogue-writing and dreary plot turns that make you squirm.
Veteran actor Vijayakumar (who played Bhumika Chawla's father in 'Kushi'), his son Arun Vijay (who was seen as Prabhas' partner in 'Saaho'), and grandson Arnav Vijay (debutant) don't share cute chemistry. The strain in the relationship between the first two characters doesn't come off as intended.
Arun Vijay's character has been used to spoil a stretch where, if proper space was allowed, the kids would have redeemed themselves. After a point, you don't feel the point of their presence. A hunt for the missing Simba is so simplistically staged that you feel sorry after a point.
The two bumbling villains remind you of the 'Sisindri' villains, played by AVS, Sudhakar, Tanikella Bharani and Prabhakar Reddy.
Verdict:
'Oh My Dog' is superficial and uninteresting.
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