Bailey is back as his journey through many lifetimes continues this time with a new purpose, that is to take care of his longtime friend, Ethan’s granddaughter, CJ.
Based on the book by W. Bruce Cameron, the film captures the emotions of a dog voiced once again by “Frozen” star Josh Gad, who uses his voice to match that of the dog on the screen. That being said, the animal trainer off screen did an exceptional job of working with the different dogs used throughout the movie as they interacted with the actors in order to melt hearts and bring the true purpose of man’s best friend to life.
Additionally, Dog Journey is a continuation of the 2017 Dog’s Purpose and it pretty much picks up right after the end with Ethan and Bailey reunited on the farmhouse. There isn’t much of a change as Dennis Quaid returns as Ethan, though the addition of his granddaughter in 3 stages of her life as a toddler (Emma Volk), which is when CJ is first introduced to Bailey prior to her mother, Gloria (Betty Gilpin). The second actress playing CJ as a young child is Abby Ryder Fortson, who is most known for her role in last year’s Ant Man and the Wasp. At this stage of her life, she is introduced to Molly (a.k.a Bailey) where she has to deal with being alone when her mother is away every night. Fortson instantly captures the audience attention as she forms the same connection with Molly, similar to Ethan when he first met Bailey in Dog’s Purpose. The third CJ, (played by Kathryn Prescott) equally continues the same motivation set forth by her younger counterparts as Max (a.k.a Bailey) additionally shows hints of Molly in ways that makes her wonder if there is some connection. Of course that isn’t answered fully until the reunion with her grandfather in the end.
That being said, there are a lot of similarities, to the first film that come back in a new way in the second one. It gives new perspective to the true purpose of a dog and solidifies the concept of a dog truly being called to help their human companions.
It’s an instant heartwarming movie appropriate for the whole family and will have everyone laughing, crying and cheering for good ole Bailey to reunite with his family no matter what it takes.
Dog’s Journey came out in theaters May 17 and is currently playing in a theater near you.