He has a ‘companion’ travel with him.
He has a time machine to take him on adventures.
He has no first name and is known for wearing a very stylish bow tie.
Who is he? He’s Mr Peabody, the worlds smartest dog. ‘Who’ were you expecting?
Mr Peabody and Sherman, the new Dreamworks Studios animation, follows the adventures of Mr Peabody and his adoptive human son Sherman. Together the two use Peabody’s invention, the WABAC, to travel through time. When Sherman gets into a fight with a girl at school over the historic accuracy of an event, (which he was actually present too), Sherman bites her. To make peace Mr Peabody invites Penny and her family to dinner with disastrous, though adventurous consequences.
Dreamworks as a studio are a weird one. They’re known for making the brilliant Shrek and then dragging out the series to its death. Usually compared to Pixar Studios, who have produced less than half the films but are both commercially and critically more successful. Their films are seen as appealing more to children than their parents and chosing comic appeal over solid story telling.
Having said that this film looks like a true return to form for Dreamworks. Directed by Rob Minkoff, director of The Lion King, it boost more appeal to the family audience as a whole. Once Sherman and Penny travel back in time Mr Peabody has to follow them. The really clever thing that the film dose is show historic events that are known to most and taught at primary level. The Trojan War, The Pharaohs of Egypt, Leonardo Di Vinci and his flying machine. It take areas of history we know and adds the time travelling trio.
With a much more solid story the film still features a rather adorable lead in pooch Mr Peabody. Rather than go for just a comic voice Peabody is voiced by Ty Burrel of Modern Family fame. His voice adds comedy but also real narrative appeal.
With even Mr Peabody & Shermann are getting Who fever, are you onboard?