Review of Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero (2018) by Shpostal — 12 Apr 2018

This is a very different use of computer animation and will demonstrate that realistic and historical movies aimed at younger viewers while not being childish to adult viewers has its place in the movie world.

It is one of those movies that one can appreciate for its intent as well as its execution. Truly, those critics who pan it don't really have a leg to stand on, as one critic even wanted it to be more intense.

Sgt. Stubby was a real dog, and the movie is true. He was very smart and very brave. The movie doesn't say so, but this true hero lived until 1926, and was mounted as a tribute to his service to the lucky American doughboys and French soldiers he helped save.

Obviously, the writers knowing kids would want to see this movie had to tread very very carefully, on the one hand celebrating this pooch, and demonstrating without the gore and as much horror the conditions soldiers on all sides suffered as they were forced to fight, be injured, and die at the whim of a handful of ignoramus royalty spread across the continent.

Nor can the unfathomable terrors of Verdun, the first Ardennes campaign that would repeat itself in the Battle of the Bulge in 1944, or the incessant rain and mud so deep than soldiers drowned in it.

But we do get a look at the apprehension and fear, loneliness for home, the dugouts and trenches, the gas attacks and a sanitized but still effective depictions of No Man's Land, where Stubby was instrumental in spotting wounded men, and running back to his trench to "tell" the soldiers and medics where the fallen soldier lay, either on the ground or buried in a collapsed trench.

It's a touching movie, and the animals act like real animals. There are a few cute and funny moments, but overall "Sgt. Stubby" is an instructional tale, and brings attention to those brave souls who fought in the bloodiest and deadly war of the last century.

I certainly hope this film is successful, because it could be a bellweather for more animated but true stories from history, and our kids and adults too could watch a movie that entertains and educates.

One certainly can't find fault with that.