It's tiresome stuff, with needless bickering substituted for actual character development (the script, from debut writer-director Ben Smith, needed work), while the US setting is baffling.

StarDog may work its slight charms on young children, but older kids will feel they've seen smarter, funnier and cleverer before.

Likeable rather than memorable, but worth a look for junior fans of animal adventures like Zootropolis and PAW Patrol.

Though there's not a lot for us adults, the kids will love StarDog and TurboCat's endearing characters and goofy fun.