TrueIndie Tuesday: "Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero" Movie Review

When Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero released last year, the film found itself surrounded by insurmountable competition, ultimately being overshadowed by other family-oriented offerings like Sherlock Gnomes, The Miracle Season, and I Can Only Imagine in addition to a slew of blockbuster hits. This animated film flew under everyone’s radar, but boy am I glad that I’ve seen it now.

Sgt. Stubby is a heartwarming story about a puppy…Sgt. Stubby he’s eventually called…that follows a solider, Robert Conroy voiced by Logan Lerman, back to his military training camp and goes on to become the most decorated dog of World War I. It’s a unique narrative because the story is told from the point of view on Conroy’s sister, Margaret voiced by Helena Bonham Carter, via letters he sent home during the war.

Sgt. Stubby seems to stick closer to its historical events more than one might expect, grounding the premise with a sense of plausibility and allowing the adults in the room to enjoy the film just as much as their children. There is no gore and only passing nods to loss of life, another big plus for families. And for the film’s budget, the animation is remarkably better than you might expect.

With an inspiring story to tell…and a charming furry friend at the center of it…this based-on-true-events production is a quality film for audiences of all ages. So next time there’s combat over what to watch on family movie night, remember to bring Sgt. Stubby with you.