The Pup Star trilogy doesn’t have a mean bone in it.  All three of these children's movies leave you uplifted and feeling good.  This trilogy which is geared toward children will still leave adults pleasantly amused as well.   Fans of pop music and dogs, such as yours truly, will find it an enjoyable escapism in and of itself.  Robert Vince directed all three films and also wrote all three, although he had help writing the first one.  The first Pup Star is probably the strongest, but unlike so many other kid movie franchises the sequels don’t seem to squelch the charm of the first one by running it into the ground.  Instead, remarkably, each installment manages to find fresh ways of presenting the same charming message about family, love, and of course, singing while following the basic formula of the original.

All of the flicks revolve around a little Yorkshire terrier named Tiny.  You see, in the Pup Star universe, dogs and cats have gained the ability to talk.  This has allowed them to integrate into society as more than just pets(it also apparently allowed them to wear clothes).  Since dogs can talk they can also sing and have made their mark in the music industry.  A televised talent search competition, called Pup Star that is on the lookout for the next great singing dog has swept the nation.  Tiny decides to try out and is given a shot at stardom.  In the first film, she ends up on a road trip all by herself and meets American dog musicians from different genres and styles who help teach her how to sing from her heart.  In the second one, we delve into the hip-hop and rap genre as Tiny finds herself becoming a street dog.  And the third one brings together musical influences from other areas of the world as Pup Star goes on an international search for the next great doggy voice. 

The same bumbling villains return in all three movies to try and sabotage Tiny from finding the true meaning of music.  They offer a good deal of comic relief, and I found myself chuckling more than once at their antics.  My only complaint with them is that the two nefarious dogs are a pit bull and an akita.  So it was sad to see the unfortunate stereotypes that plague those breeds being utilized in the movie.  But it’s not something they draw attention to at least.

The telling of Tiny’s journey isn’t without a few minor hiccups.  Some characters shift too quickly, and it can be a little over-sentimental at times.  The story of someone trying to find stardom and love isn’t all that groundbreaking or new, but the doggy angle along with solid storytelling and the right touches of heart and humor make this particular telling worthwhile.  There are legitimate story arcs and sincerely funny moments to be had in this series.  The messages delivered by the characters about believing in one’s self are like a welcomed encouraging hug.  It also helps that the dogs are adorable, and the songs are catchy.

The concept for Pup Star might sound a little over the top, but the silly humor, cute pooches, upbeat songs, and positive messages about music all seem to come together to make it work.  After each movie ended I always felt charmed and light-hearted.  Again these movies are made for children in mind, but I don’t think adults would groan while hitting the play button on any of the Pup Star films.  So I definitely recommend this series as one the whole family can enjoy together.

Rating 4.5 out of 5