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6.1/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 6.1/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Puppy Love remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
If you've got ten minutes to kill and need something that isn't trying to sell you a complex plot or a multi-verse, Puppy Love is your best friend today. It is perfect for anyone who grew up on old-school animation or just wants to see a dog act like a total maniac for a few minutes. If you’re the type of person who needs "stakes" or "character arcs," you might want to skip this, but honestly, you're missing out on some genuine joy.
The whole thing kicks off because Mickey wants to be sweet, and Minnie just wants the candy. It is a simple setup, but the way the animation captures the dogs going absolutely feral over those chocolates is genuinely funny. There is this one shot where Pluto is just covered in sticky mess, looking like he’s having the best and worst day of his life simultaneously.
Did you notice the way the kitchen shakes when they start fighting over the box? It’s not subtle, but it gives the whole thing this kinetic energy you don't really see in modern stuff. Also, Fifi’s eyelashes are kind of aggressive, right? Like, way too long for a dog, but it works in that 1933 style.
It feels a lot less stiff than Big Chief Koko, where the movement felt like it was fighting against the frame. Here, everything just flows. It's almost musical, even when they're just wrecking the living room.
Look, it’s a short. It doesn't overstay its welcome. It doesn't try to teach you a lesson about the nature of love or anything heavy. It’s just Mickey, Minnie, and two dogs making a massive mess. Sometimes that is exactly what you need.
I’ve seen plenty of old shorts that feel like they belong in a museum, but this one still feels alive. It’s got that jittery, handmade quality that digital stuff just can't replicate. It reminds me a bit of the frantic energy in Lightning, just with less lightning and more sugar-high pups. 🐾