FILM REVIEW: PAW PATROL – THE MIGHTY MOVIE (U)ESP RATING: 4/5

Paw Patrol mightily provides an engaging movie from start to finish.

I ventured into the screening with my incredibly energetic five-year-old son – who is known for his restless nature and constant desire to explore.

But to my surprise, this film had him captivated from beginning to end, and that speaks volumes about its ability to charm younger viewers.

The fact that my son, who can rarely stand still in line at school, remained glued to the screen throughout the entire showing is a testament to the movie’s success. It managed to grab his attention and hold it tightly, showcasing just how well-crafted the film truly is.

The story breathes new life into the familiar characters from the extremely popular animated TV series, as the beloved pups – Chase, Rubble, Marshall and co – gain superpowers after a meteor strikes Adventure City. Each Paw Patrol superhero makeover is skilfully designed, incorporating their unique qualities and talents into their new super-powered personas.

Of course, there needs to be conflict within these adventure movies. Therefore, things typi

cally take a turn for the worse when the dastardly Mayor Humdinger (Ron Pardo) and a mad scientist steal these powers and turn themselves into supervillains. As the team springs into action to save the city, Skye (voiced by McKenna Grace from Ghostbusters: Afterlife) in particular soon learns that even the smallest pup can make the biggest difference.

Even if you’ve been made to watch the show a million times (I feel your pain), this fresh take on the universe makes it feel like you’re watching something a little different.

The movie strikes a perfect balance in terms of its length. Clocking in at just over ninety minutes, it keeps young viewers fully engaged from start-to-finish without overwhelming them.

What sets Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie apart from many other children’s animations is its inclusion of subtle humour and gags that entertain the adults in the audience – even for the younger age demographic. While the primary focus is undoubtedly on the kids, the creators have thoughtfully incorporated clever references and jokes that add a layer of enjoyment for the grown-ups.

These well-placed moments of humour enhance the overall viewing experience, making it a movie that can be enjoyed by the whole family. There’s even a whole host of voice cameos from the likes of Kim Kardashian, Serena Williams and Chris Rock, wanting a piece of the action too.

It’s virtually Paw-fect!

ESP Rating: 4/5

Mikey Clarke

SHOWCASE CINEMA DE LUX PETERBOROUGH, OUT NOW

VOICE CAST: CHRISTIAN CONVERY, McKENNA GRACE, CHRISTIAN CORRAO, LUXTON HANDSPIKER, CALLUM SHONIKER, NYLAN PARTHIPAN, RON PARDO, TARAJI P HENSON, LIL REY HOWERY, CHRIS ROCK, JAMES MARSDEN, KRISTEN BELL, SERENA WILLIAMS & KIM KARDASHIAN

RUNNING TIME: 1 HR 33 MINS

DIRECTOR: CAL BRUNKER

Go to www.showcasecinemas.co.uk for all the latest film information & showtimes at Peterborough’s Showcase Cinema De Lux