There’s no denying Genndy Tartakovsky’s work in the animation medium has been extremely influential for today’s standards. The creator of Dexter’s Laboratory and Adult Swim’s Primal has proven himself to be a master experimenter time and time again. However, with Fixed, it seems like a different case compared to his more usual narratives.
Unlike his previous works, Fixed was one of Tartakovsky’s original ideas that had been sitting on the shelf for a while. As such, things were continuously in motion and this movie tried to find its place in the midst of everything. Now that its time has come, Fixed unabashedly shows its potential, even if it might not be for everyone’s taste.
If you’ve seen Fixed‘s trailers, then you might think that Tartakovsky and company are simply making this film to be as obscene as possible. However, despite its “risqué” humor, this film actually has a heartfelt message that can resonate with viewers if they can bear the many sex jokes.
In its own messed-up ways, it feels like Fixed is the anti-Pets: even though both films have similar messages of “being different is good,” each one appeals to a different audience. However, through the shenanigans of its protagonist, the lowly Bull (voiced by Adam Devine), this idea is still able to have its wholesome moments through these warmer interactions.
Throughout this film, Bull is trying to live up to the standards of a “show dog” to make his relationship with his crush, Honey (Kathryn Hahn), official. Unfortunately, his human family plans to neuter Bull soon. Of course, Bull’s fears are invigorated, both due to his status as the neighborhood top dog and the unlucky experiences of other dogs.
The way that Tartakovsky paces through these circumstances might feel like a rush at times, but it certainly keeps that lively energy up enough to keep you intrigued.
While the first act gets you acquainted to Bull and his fiendish friends, the second act is filled with fueled montages of them getting lost in the city fight, fighting a bunch of cats, and even some skunk shenanigans.
This transition can certainly feel like a lot, given how quickly it keeps itself going. By the middle of the film, it can also feel like it’s already resolving things between Bull and Honey as it feels like it reaches its climax early. However, given how it’s got about 40 more minutes of runtime, it makes you wonder what else Tartakovsky’s got up his sleeves.
This is more apparent in Fixed‘s third act, which feels like a big departure from the second act, yet somehow fits with Bull’s arc.
Given the particular setting, it can feel like quite the surprise for viewers. Here, the film’s sexual undertones nearly go on full blast, especially with some sequences, but there are a few that kind of subvert those expectations, too.
All of this wraps around the plot of Bull going on this journey of self-discovery all while refusing to get himself neutered, hitting some familiar dramatic plot beats. Expect some romantic misunderstandings, companion side plots that bear some relevant character developments (especially around Idris Elba’s Rocco and Bobby Moynihan’s Lucky), and much more.
On a visual level, Fixed is pure Tartakovsky, always emphasizing those little character details to new extremes. In the more intense sequences, the animation gets put on full blast, especially with a specific third-act sequence that tonally throws itself back and forth. You can expect more scenes like this to occur, but fortunately, there are still moments of calm.
Particularly, there are some nicer moments we get between Bull and his companions in the first act, which lighten the tone and prepare you for what’s to come. These little back-and-forth moments showcasing how this gang lives up to those “dog standards” softens the blows of the over-intense sexual surrealism.
As erotically humorous as it is playful, Fixed stands out as perhaps Genndy Tartakovsky’s boldest film by consistently testing its comedy to make a satisfyingly entertaining movie.
Tartakovsky is an experimental director that always wants to try out new things and with Fixed, it does feel like the film’s message of being different has resonated with him as well.
Fixed begins streaming on Netflix on August 13th.
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Chris Gallardo
Christopher Gallardo is an entertainment writer, critic, and member of New York Film Critics Online. While not running his own social channels, Chris can be found writing reviews and breakdowns on all things films and TV for multiple outlets. Plus, he loves Percy Jackson, animated films and shows, and Fallout! You can find him anywhere on social media at @chrisagwrites.