What to say about Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie, an animated film clearly aimed at its five-year-old audience? It’s entertaining enough and will keep your pup-loving children enthralled. It’s also a notable step down from the previous movie.

For whatever reason, I enjoyed the first Paw Patrol movie despite being a grown, 40-year-old man (my ex-wife would say that while biophysically that is true, my maturity level is less developed). I of course wouldn’t watch it if I didn’t have a young daughter who has watched more hours of the TV show than she has been alive on this planet, but Paw Patrol: The Movie is pleasingly straightforward, has a good story, and is surprisingly funny.

The Mighty Movie, which puts to the big screen the popular super-powered versions of the Paw Patrol, should be a walk in the park (doggie doo-doo bag included) and yet there’s something a bit off about this one. There are some funny moments but it feels more serious this go-around; some of the fun has been stomped out (by Mayor Humdinger, presumably), some energy lost.

Whether little kids will notice… doubtful. It’s got the Paw Patrol, they’ve got superpowers, and there is plenty of action to go around. Not much to dislike for the noncritical innocents who walk among us.

One nice touch: Skye gets center stage here, a welcome move for my daughter who is captivated by any female protagonist–especially any with super powers.

Review by Erik Samdahl unless otherwise indicated.