‘Paws’ that refreshes
Stars thrilled to have their voices on ‘Patrol’
The stars of “PAW Patrol: The Movie” are ready to get tails wagging.
Iain Armitage and Marsai Martin loved the way their new film, based on the popular children’s series, balances fun scenes with valuable teaching moments.
The animated movie provides a new backstory for the fan-favorite police dog Chase, who is nervous about embarking on a mission in Adventure City, where he was abandoned as a puppy.
“It shows that true bravery isn’t [about] not being afraid — it’s being afraid and doing what you’re afraid of anyway, and overcoming your fears,” Armitage, who voices Chase, told the Daily News. “I think it’s really awesome and really good that they’re showing this because everyone has some sort of fear that they have to overcome at some point in their life.”
The movie, out Friday in theaters and on Paramount+, is the first feature film to come from Nickelodeon’s “PAW Patrol” series, which centers on a group of dogs with different roles as first responders.
In addition to bringing familiar faces to the big screen, “PAW Patrol” introduces a new character with Martin’s Liberty, a dachshund who dreams of working with the PAW Patrol.
“She’s superfun to be around and knows the ups and downs of Adventure City,” Martin told The News. “Super street smart, at that, and she is a big fan of the PAW Patrol, so when they come to her side of town, she is just absolutely ecstatic.”
The PAW Patrol jumps into action in the movie when the cat-loving Mayor Humdinger takes over Adventure City equipped with distressing plans, including banning dogs.
Chase, Liberty and the rest of the pups must work together to thwart the mayor’s scheme.
“There’s so many amazing meanings in this film,” Martin, 17, said. “I would say the meaning of friendship, the love that you give to your support system and working together as a team is always a big thing, and it’s always, I feel like, an ongoing message when it comes to the PAW Patrol.”
The “PAW Patrol” series, which began its eighth season this year, has aired more than 180 episodes since its debut in 2013.
Both Armitage, who rose to fame as the title character on “Young Sheldon,” and Martin, who stars on “Black-ish,” believe the prolonged popularity of “PAW Patrol” stems from audiences being able to connect with the dogs on the show.
“Dogs are just so cute and so approachable and so fun, and I think that really helps it to be a very easygoing, fun, casual show,” Armitage, 13, said. “Also I think the fact that you feel like you know these characters. I think it’s the mark of any good show, feeling like they’re your friends.”
Martin and Armitage lead a voice cast that also includes Jimmy Kimmel, Kim Kardashian and Dax Shepard.
Voicing the movie’s top dogs was a thrill for Armitage and Martin, who both have young “PAW: Patrol” fans in their families.
“They sent us a lot of toys for ‘PAW Patrol,’ and I’m very excited because I gave them to a lot of my little cousins, and I gave some to our neighbors across the street who have a 6-year-old and a 4-year-old,” Armitage said. “They love them, so they are kid-tested and kid-approved.”
Martin’s sister loves the series, and that made the actress even more eager to join the movie.
“She’s 4 and absolutely loves the show,” Martin said. “Knowing that they’re coming out with their first theatrical film, I was like, absolutely!”