A Dog's Journey

Starring Dennis Quaid, Kathryn Prescott and portraying the voice of the lovable dog Bailey is warm-hearted Josh Gad, A Dog's Journey, directed by Gail Mancuso and released in 2019, is a sequel to the delightful family movie A Dog's Purpose. An emotional rollercoaster centered around Bailey, this movie is a delightful follow-up filled with the warmth and wit audiences craved from the first film. The film centers on love, family, and the lasting bond between man and his best friend - an endearing and moving tale that reveals the immense impact a dog can have on one's life.

A Dog's Journey offers viewers a story set in a comforting fictional world where dogs are almost more human than their human counterparts, able to understand complex emotions and situations. Through each lifetime, Bailey reviews and shares his experiences and scrambles to fulfill the target given to him by his owner.

Dennis Quaid, reprising his role as Ethan, maintains the same robust energy from the first film and manages to capture the audience with a raw and emotion-filled performance. Meanwhile, Kathryn Prescott plays the part of Clarity June or "CJ," Ethan's granddaughter. Vastly independent and emotionally complex, CJ's life has not been the smoothest journey, but she unknowingly shares a link with Bailey. Prescott's portrayal of CJ is powerful, genuine, and brings the element of human connection and emotion running high within the film.

Josh Gad remains the voice of Bailey, the iconic dog living multiple lives yet tied inextricably to his original owner by a thread of love and loyalty. With Gad's touch, Bailey's character is solidified as a lovable, loyal, and protective friend who's immersed in his mission - a mission passed down from one generation to another. Viewers also get to meet an array of Bailey's new dog incarnations, each with distinctive traits, breed orientations, and unique perspectives on life, adding an element of laughter, tears, and joy to the rollercoaster ride of Bailey's journey.

A Dog's Journey, while being a sequel, still manages to uncover new aspects of Bailey's relationship with Ethan and his family. Through the various lives he lives, the director presents an introspective view on how Bailey's presence influences and impacts the lives of those he interacts with. The movie’s premise is that our furry friends aren’t just pets, but emotional beings who possess the ability to understand, learn, and love unconditionally.

Director Gail Mancuso showcases how the emotional turmoil and experiences a dog goes through can reflect the complexity of human life. This narrative thread, though subtle and soft-spoken among the four-legged creatures, provides the drama, emotion, and full-on heart-to-heart scenes that drive the storyline of the film.

On a technical note, the cinematography in the movie is commendable in the way it captures the interplay between the human and canine words, and frames the beautiful landscapes that serve as backdrops to Bailey’s journey. There are scenic shots of farmlands, quaint small towns, and bustling city life, each highlighting a different stage of our pet protagonist's adventure.

The film is not just about a pet dog’s life; it is a testament to the unconditional love, loyalty, and companionship that dogs offer to their humans. If the aim was to tug at the audience's heartstrings, A Dog's Journey undoubtedly succeeds. Engaging, tear-jerking, and packed with humor and charm, this film is one for all ages, and most especially, for dog lovers.

For those who appreciate family drama genre films with a sweet twist of pet companionship and a belief in reincarnation, A Dog's Journey is likely to satisfy that craving. However, those easily moved to tears may want to keep a box of tissues handy – the movie is an emotional saga that might make even the toughest eyes well up a little.

In conclusion, A Dog's Journey is a heartwarming watch that revolves around the idea of love, family, friendship, and bonding. It's a wholesome family film that appeals beyond the community of dog lovers, comprising elements that are bound to touch hearts in their unique ways. It is a heartfelt tale, a testimony to unconditional love and the boundless joy dogs bring into our lives.