League of Super-Pets

You don’t need x-ray vision or an affinity for obscure comic-book sidekicks to know where League of Super-Pets is headed.

This energetic animated comedy ensures that no crevice of Superman mythology will be left unexplored on the big screen, for better or worse. However, while it manages some scattered snarky laughs, any attempt to explore the bond between humans and canines with heartfelt sincerity is undermined by aggressive cuteness and smug commercialism.

As an origin story and intended franchise launchpad, the film only hints at the edgier attitude or more subversive approach that could distinguish future installments.

The story opens with young Superman sent from planet Krypton to Earth with a puppy in his capsule. Years later, their companionship enables them to form a superhero tandem in Metropolis. But when Superman (voiced by John Krasinski) gets ready to propose to girlfriend Lois Lane (Olivia Wilde), that leaves Krypto (Dwayne Johnson) as a third wheel.

Those plans are foiled by, of all things, a megalomaniacal guinea pig named Lulu (Kate McKinnon), who kidnaps Superman and uses a kryptonite stash to subdue Krypto’s powers, too. That leads the resilient pooch to team up with a ragtag group of shelter animals, most notably a sarcastic German Shepherd (Kevin Hart) and a timid pig (Vanessa Bayer). Of course, connections are eventually forged to Justice League colleagues such as Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, and others.

Smaller children might be enamored by the colorful characters and anthropomorphic animal antics. They’re also less likely to realize how many superpowered critters have preceded this batch and be finicky about such familiarity.

The screenplay by director Jared Stern (Happy Anniversary), whose resume includes writing credits on two Lego Movie sequels, takes a similar approach here, delivering a rapid-fire barrage of sight gags and one-liners peppered with self-referential winks.

The hyperactive result is a mildly amusing diversion that benefits from a memorably inspired villain who unleashes the obligatory plan for world domination. But the jokes are too hit-and-miss for a lampoon, the stakes feel undercooked for a superhero adventure, and the relationships don’t inspire a deeper emotional resonance.

Man of Steel completists might appreciate this effort at throwing Superman’s best friend a cinematic bone. Anyone outside that target demographic will notice League of Super-Pets keeps its characters on too tight of a leash.

Rated PG, 106 minutes.