Max, voiced by Chris "Ludacris" Bridges, stars in a scene from the movie "Show Dogs." The Catholic News Service classification is A-II -- adults and adolescents. (CNS/Global Road Entertainment)

By Catholic News Service

A sequence involving the genital waxing and inspection of show dogs, though it reflects real-life practices and is intended to be humorous, presents a disturbing parallel with the plight of children being groomed for molestation and thus seriously mars this otherwise amiable comedy for kids. Combining live action with computer-generated animation, director Raja Gosnell and screenwriters Max Botkin and Marc Hyman, all veterans of this brand of animated silliness, keep the pacing fast and other objectionable content to a minimum.

Chris “Ludacris” Bridges voices a street-toughened Rottweiler and police pooch paired with an FBI agent (Will Arnett) to infiltrate a fancy dog show in Las Vegas in search of a baby panda which is being sold on the black market, using the competition as a front.

Fleeting anatomical and scatological humor involving animals, some of it potentially problematic for youngsters. The Catholic News Service classification is A-II — adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG — parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.

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