TEACHER’S PET

TEACHER’S PET is a lively, funny animated musical with plenty of heart. Eleven catchy songs, a talented voice cast led by Nathan Lane and Kelsey Grammar, and colorful background animation—including singing houses and a smiling sun—give this 74-minute comedy real energy.

The film’s best lesson is that people and animals should be content with how God made them. It also includes positive Christian content, including references to the New Testament. Still, some comic situations are edgy, and the story includes references to Fate, luck, and a boy hiding the truth from his mother.

For a family with older children, this is a worthwhile, goofy musical. For very young children, parents should preview the content and decide carefully.

Spot Helperman is a dog with a dream. For nine months, he has tucked his ears into a beanie, pulled on pants, and followed his master, Leonard, to school disguised as Scott, the smartest and newest child in his fourth-grade class.

When the school year ends, Spot wants only one thing: to become a real boy. His hope leads him to Dr. Ivan Krank, a mad scientist who claims he can turn animals into human beings. Leonard, meanwhile, misses having Spot act like a normal dog.

Three stars means this is an entertaining, well-crafted family comedy with some imperfections. The movie has eleven catchy songs, including “I Wanna Be a Boy,” “A Boy Needs a Dog,” and “A Whole Bunch of World,” which lists all 50 states alphabetically.

The voice cast is another strength. Nathan Lane plays Spot, while Kelsey Grammar plays Dr. Krank. The elaborate, colorful animation includes singing houses and a smiling sun. “I’m Movin’ On,” a rousing operatic number featuring Spot, Leonard, Mrs. Helperman, and Dr. Krank, is one of the showstoppers.

TEACHER’S PET extols the virtue of being content with how God made you. Spot’s desire to become a real boy gives the movie a central moral question, and the story ultimately pushes back against the desire to remake creation according to personal wishes. It also attacks genetic scientists for trying to play God.

The movie includes some positive Christian content. Dr. Krank’s address, 666 Acko Way, refers to the Number of the Beast in Revelation. A singer also refers to 1 Timothy 6:10: “the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.”

The film’s worldview is not entirely consistent. It refers to Fate and luck, and Leonard hides the truth about Spot from his mother. Those elements undermine the movie’s otherwise positive moral message.

The film’s longing to become something different is answered by its call to contentment with God’s design. Scripture says, “the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil” (1 Timothy 6:10), reminding us that disordered desires can lead us away from what is good.

TEACHER’S PET delivers colorful animation, catchy songs, talented voices, and a positive lesson about contentment. Its edgy comic situations and mild worldview concerns make parental discernment wise for very young children. For older children and adults, the answer is clear: WORTH THE TRIP.