A Dog's Journey is my second-favorite reincarnating dog movie. This sweet, but unoriginal sequel to 2017's A Dog's Purpose is much like the first one, with plenty of cute doggy screen time and butt-sniffing jokes. One strength, compared to the original, is that it spends more time on a single canine / human relationship, rather than jumping around to lots of new people.

For a movie for dog lovers, this one sure shows a lot of dog deaths! As the movie begins, loyal dog Bailey is living with Ethan and Hannah as an old Saint Bernard on their farm in Michigan. As Bailey draws his last breaths, Ethan orders the dog's spirit to watch over his granddaughter CJ throughout her life. That's exactly what the reincarnating dog does, first as a puppy named Mollie, who helps CJ as a child, then as a terrier named Max, who helps teen and adult CJ (Kathryn Prescott)

Josh Gad is back as the perfect dog voice, which stays the same regardless of the breed his spirit is currently inhabiting. Director Gail Mancuso has made a real tearjerker for dog fans, aided by Mark Isham's strings-heavy score.

This movie has fewer adult themes than the book it's based on. Aside from the dog deaths, there are a few other things that might upset younger children. One character gets very sick and another is stalked by an ex-boyfriend. There's also an upsetting car crash and some alcohol and drug use at a party.

The message of this film is that you can persevere to overcome the bad things that happen to you in life. And, you should surround yourself with people who care about you.

I give this movie 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, but adults will like it too, if they really love dog movies. You can find A Dog's Journey in theaters everywhere starting May 17, 2019.

Reviewed by Will C., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic. For more reviews by youth, visit kidsfirst dot ogr.

It's funny how much I've come around on this series since its inception in early 2017. From being too schmaltzy to being an incredibly heartfelt story about the bond between an owner and his/her dog. The conclusion to this story is beyond satisfying and one that every dog owner will almost definitely relate to on some level. The journey of Bailey (voice by Josh Gad) continues as his purpose extends past Ethan and Hannah, this time looking over CJ, Ethan's step-granddaughter. While being overly sentimental and manipulative at times, it never tries to reach beyond its grasp. It's the good kind of manipulative, especially since it had me tearing up for the better part of the last 30 minutes. A Dog's Purpose is yet another win for dog movie lovers everywhere.

8.4/10

13 May 2019 First Film of Choice at The Plaza Dorchester Tonight - A Dog's Journey. So this is a sequel to A dog's Purpose and if you taken one thing to the cinema with you, make it a box of tissues because unless you have a heart of stone you're jolly well going to need to crack them open. If you don't like showing emotion in public wait for the DVD because I cried like a baby (a very quiet baby). It is the continuing story of Bailey/Molly/Big Dog/Max who remains committed to finding his special human through all his/her reincarnations. Although he had different bodies, different names and even a different gender his memories and his heart remained that of Bailey and this was a touching tale of him keeping his promise to his best friend all those years ago. Some great camera work showing close ups of the amazing language a dog projects with his eyebrows. Lovely film.