‘Marmaduke’ a humourless flop

Cert: G

Better known as a long-running strip cartoon character in the States, Marmaduke is a slobbering, havoc-prone Great Dane – he’s been featured in newspapers for over 50 years – who wrecks all around him.

If you like that sort of thing, he’s funny. But not in this film.

There is a terrific cast, some lending their voices of various mutts and all presumably there for a quick buck since the script offers them nothing else.

It’s a live-action film in which several dogs talk – Wilson does the necessary for our anti-hero – but fail to say anything remotely witty or interesting … though Marmaduke does contribute plenty of bodily dysfunctions, which are apparently supposed to have us waving our tails in hilarious delight.

Such as it is, the plot involves the dog’s family moving to a new start and the dog getting to know his new canine pals … and causing general mayhem.

It’s not at all inventive or entertaining for anyone above the age of four.

Star Rating: 1/5