Several years ago our family started doing pizza and movie night on Fridays. I’m sure a lot of you do too. At the end of a long week, it’s so nice to not have to think about what’s for dinner, who’s going to clean it up, and spend some low key family time together! We make an effort to keep the evening free and it’s something we all look forward to! We recently got to stream Dog Man and I made it extra fun by making some fun Dog Man-themed movie snacks. This Dog Man puppy chow is a simple twist on a classic favorite. The bright color scheme perfectly matches Dog Man‘s uniform, but could also easily work for many themes! I partnered with DreamWorks and Mandy Kay Marketing to bring you this Dog Man puppy chow recipe and share our honest film review with you.
our review of Dog Man
As a mom of seven, I’m always on the lookout for family-friendly movies that entertain a wide range of ages. Recently, we had a fun evening watching Dog Man, DreamWorks Animation’s latest film based on Dav Pilkey’s graphic novel series of the same name. To be honest, I have never read any of the books so wasn’t really familiar with the storyline. However, my kids have many of them and they are big fans. We all ended up loving the movie. I was also impressed by the blend of humor and heart-felt moments. I also love the messages about family and personal growth.
spoiler alerts ahead!
The story introduces us to Officer Knight and his loyal canine partner, Greg. After a bomb explosion leaves them both injured, a surgery combines them, resulting in Dog Man—a hero with a human body and a dog’s head. I realize this sounds like a dark storyline. Yet somehow it’s done in such a fun, lighthearted way that it’s quite cute.
Our main antagonist, Petey the Cat, voiced by Pete Davidson, is a mischievous feline. My husband loved this detail because he is not a fan of cats and thinks they’re all villains. Don’t come at me. In an attempt to, well, be the the villain, Petey creates a clone of himself. However, the experiment doesn’t go quite as he had planned. He ends up with Li’l Petey—a sweet, innocent kitten who challenges Petey’s villainous ways. This unexpected fatherhood of sorts subtly brings up themes of redemption and the transformative power of love.
The film also introduces Flippy voiced by Ricky Gervais. Flippy is an evil telekinetic fish resurrected by Petey to wreak havoc. I know, I know, more dark themes–but again, they’re just done in such a silly way that it just translates to fun. Flippy’s evil antics add another layer to the storyline and help aid in character development as well.
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fun for the whole family
What makes Dog Man an enjoyable film for the whole family is its emphasis on family dynamics and personal growth. Watching Petey deal with his past (when his father shows up) and his attempt to be a better father figure for Li’l Petey was sweet to watch. Maybe I’m getting a little deep for an animated kid’s movie, but I loved the message that even unlikely individuals can change for the better when influenced by love and responsibility.
The movie is also really fun visually. The animation stays true to Pilkey’s original illustrations, capturing the whimsical, comic book style that fans have come to adore. We really liked the voice cast as well, and my kids felt like the characters were portrayed well.
Our family definitely recommends Dog Man for a fun family movie night. There are a couple of scenes that might be a little intense for younger viewers (like when Flippy gets resurrected), although all my kids from my 20 month old to my 14 year old watched the movie with no problems. Looking for the perfect movie night snack to go along with the film. Check out this easy recipe for Dog Man puppy chow!
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how to make Dog Man puppy chow, aka: Dog Man chow?
True story–I never had puppy chow until I was an adult. How I went 20+ years without trying it, I have no idea. But as a mom of many little hooligans, I appreciate the easy with which this tasty treat is made! To be completely honest, I tried a couple different versions before I came up with this Dog Man puppy chow. But I guess the third time really is the charm because this Dog Man puppy chow is both delicious and adorable. And since it’s also super easy to throw together (literally), what else could you ask for in a movie night snack?
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A colorful twist on a classic favorite–this Dog Man puppy chow is the perfect movie night snack!
- 3 cups Chex cereal (rice Chex or simliar)
- ½ cup semisweet chocolate chips
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- ¾ cup powdered sugar
- ½ cup blue M&Ms
- ½ cup yellow melting wafers
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Melt chocolate chips and stir in peanut butter until well mixed. I prefer to do this in the microwave.
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Add half of the cereal to a large bowl with a lid, and add half the chocolate mixture. Stir with a spatula carefully, then add the other half of cereal and chocolate mixture. Put the lid on an let cool to room temperature. I usually put the bowl in the fridge for about 15 minutes.
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Add in the powdered sugar a little bit at a time and shake in the bowl with the lid on between each addition.
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Once your Dog Man puppy chow is well mixed and coated, add in the M&Ms (I like to crush them a little smaller first) and drizzle the yellow melted wafers on top. Carefully stir with a spatula and mix with the lid on the bowl until everything is well combined.
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Stir in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week–if it lasts that long!
Dog Man is available on digital platforms to stream NOW and will be available on Blu-Ray and DVD from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment April 1.
Find more fun movie night ideas on my Pinterest page!
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