Barely within two weeks after the release of A Dog's Way Home (in India), we have another movie that goes all the way out to entrap dog lovers with its puppy sentiments. A Dog's Journey is the sequel to the 2017 film A Dog's Purpose, and is based on a series of books by W Bruce Cameron. All the three movies I have mentioned in this para have one thing to say to you - dogs are the most adorable creations in the world, and no matter the distance or deaths (in case of A Dog's Journey), they will find their way back to their loving human masters. Awww…. someone hand me a tissue, please! A Dog’s Way Home Movie Review: A Predictable but Moving Treat for All Canine Lovers.

Continuing from where A Dog's Purpose ends, Bailey (Josh Gad) enjoys the affections of his friend and master, Ethan (Dennis Quaid) and his wife Hannah (Marg Helgenberger, replacing Peggy Lipton from the first film). The couple is bereaving the death of their son, but they find comfort in taking care of their granddaughter CJ. They don't bond well with her widowed daughter-in-law, Gloria (Betty Gilpin), and one day, after an argument, Gloria takes her kid away from them to live in the city.

Following the first film's tradition, Bailey passes away and now he has a new purpose - to take care of CJ. Taking various births, the dog finds its way into her life, right from when she is a cherubic 10-yo (a sweet Abby Ryder Fortson of Ant-Man fame) to a down-on-her-luck adolescent (Kathryn Prescott).

Story-wise, A Dog's Journey, directed by Gail Mancuso, is a retread of the previous film using the same kind of sappy emotions and contrived writing to draw us in. If you are a mutt lover, there are enough scenes to melt your heart, even if the writing isn't anything to crow about. A couple of scenes did manage to tug my hard heart - one of them is an intense scene, involving a crash; the other happens near the conclusion.

And then there are two more scenes that stand out, which doesn't need to be in a movie like this, still, there is. One involves a character unexpectedly getting diagnosed by cancer and the other has a very awkward, but shattering conversation about sexual assault.

In the eyes of Bailey, the significance of these scenes don't hold much, but we do feel the pain and anguish nevertheless. But I still wish that CJ's journey to find a purpose to her life through music would have gotten more depth. Instead, A Dog's Journey makes her romance with Trent (a likeable Henry Lau) the focus in her life. Also, the movie's reliance on piss, poop and fart to get laughs could have been avoided.

Watch the trailer of A Dog's Journey here:

Gail Mancuso's direction is harmless at best, working around to make some really cute and heart-tugging scenes that serve the audience it is catering to. A Dog's Journey Trailer: Bailey is Back and His New Journey is Even More Adorable.

Josh Gad's narration works well here, at least better than what an unusually chirpy Bryce Dallas Howard did in A Dog's Way Home. He also has the support of a likeable cast, led by Dennis Quaid, Kathryn Newton and Betty Gilpin. I must add here, though, Gilpin's character deserves better - there was so much to explore with her single mother sense of insecurity and the neglect she gives to her only child.

Yay!

- Heartwarming moments

- Josh Gad's narration

- The Performances

Nay!

- Contrived writing in several places

- Some characters need better development

- Caters to a specific kind of audience

Final Thoughts

A Dog's Journey is a decent followup to its predecessor, A Dog's Purpose. Though it doesn't boast of incredible writing and execution, A Dog's Journey scrapes through thanks to some heart-warming moments and adorable-looking mutts.

Rating:2.5out of 5

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 15, 2019 09:45 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).