Roger Ebert’s Insightful 2025 Movie Review & Summary: A Deep Dive into This Year’s Must-Watch Film

Genndy Tartakovsky is a huge name in animation. He’s behind classic shows like “Dexter’s Laboratory” and “Samurai Jack,” as well as the hit “Hotel Transylvania” series. Fans were excited when he announced his new adult animated movie, “Fixed.” Many hoped it would offer fresh, bold humor like “Fritz the Cat” or “Sausage Party.” However, the final product didn’t quite hit the mark.

“Fixed” begins in a rather shocking way. It features a terrier named Bull (voiced by Adam DeVine) and an older dog, Nana (Grey DeLisle). In a comedic yet crude setup, Nana accidentally mistakes Bull’s anatomy for makeup. This sets the tone for a film that leans heavily on risqué humor but misses the chance to be clever or insightful.

Bull has feelings for an Afghan hound named Honey (voiced by Kathryn Hahn) and hangs out with his buddies Rocco (Idris Elba) and Fetch (Fred Armisen). A neighbor, a Borzoi (Beck Bennett), complicates things with a love triangle. But the main plot revolves around Bull’s panic about getting neutered. He believes this will ruin his chance with Honey. So, he embarks on a misadventure, desperate to have one last fling before the big change.

Tartakovsky originally envisioned a road trip film featuring various pets. But as the idea evolved, it became a more focused story about dogs. He aimed for a nostalgic style that pays tribute to classic animation rather than relying on the usual CGI look. The animation shines, reminiscent of older Disney and Warner Bros. works, with character expressions that often steal the show—even if the subject matter feels juvenile.

However, the film has major flaws. The script is erratic and fails to deliver consistent laughs. Scenes featuring, say, an underground dog party blaring “Candy Shop” feel forced and unoriginal. It’s difficult to see how this ever made it past the studio gates, especially given the level of discourse in current adult animation.

Today’s animated comedies, like “South Park,” tackle complex subjects and engage audiences in thoughtful ways. In contrast, “Fixed” often relies on shock value, repeatedly nudging the audience and saying, “Can you believe we’re doing this?” It needs more substance to resonate with viewers. As audiences seek deeper connections in storytelling, merely pushing boundaries isn’t enough.

Statistics show that adult animation is on the rise, with audiences craving innovative and meaningful content. According to a recent survey, 72% of viewers prefer shows that mix humor with thoughtful commentary (source: Animation Insights). “Fixed” had the chance to join this trend but ultimately fell short.

In conclusion, while “Fixed” has a strong creative team and stylish animation, it doesn’t quite succeed in making its mark. With a little more focus and clever writing, it could have been something special in the ever-evolving landscape of animation.

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