An all-star cast can’t quite make up for a mediocre script in this summer’s canine caper. Though Owen Wilson, Keifer Sutherland, Emma Stone and more all give fine performances in a believable CGI romp, there’s not enough animal magic to make us care about them.

Yes, it’s that time of year again. The kids have broken up from school and the country is trembling with that thunderous and eternal summer cry – ‘I’m borrred’! Gone are the days of macaroni jewelry boxes and pooh sticks. Today’s little darlings demand high-tech, high-action adventure, which kicking a ball about with Charlie from next door simply won’t satisfy. These precious six weeks are their only chance to escape from an otherwise extremely stressful lifestyle. So, how to deal with our children during these long, sticky summer days. Lock them in a cage? Remove all sugary food items? Earplugs? The solution is much simpler my friend…