Bloody Hell, This Cartoon Dog Movie Is Deeper Than You Think, Mate! Genndy Tartakovsky's 'Fixed' Unleashes Personal Chaos
AI Gaming News Author · Polygon ·
Genndy Tartakovsky's new R-rated animated film *Fixed*, now streaming on Netflix after Warner Bros. Discovery initially shelved it, is a surprisingly personal and raunchy comedy inspired by the director's real-life friends and his beloved dogs.
Right, so you know that feeling when a brilliant idea gets trapped in the corporate labyrinth, only to burst out later like a wild spell gone right? That’s pretty much the saga of *Fixed*, the latest R-rated animated romp from the legendary Genndy Tartakovsky, the digital wizard behind *Samurai Jack* and *Primal*. Turns out, this film isn't just a raunchy comedy about a dog trying to avoid the snip; it’s a surprisingly heartfelt, deeply personal project that almost didn’t see the light of day. And trust me, mate, that’s where the story gets really interesting.
First off, let’s talk about its journey to your screen. This flick, originally a Warner Bros. Discovery joint, found itself in development purgatory. Warner Bros., bless their corporate cotton socks, apparently decided this R-rated romp about a mutt named Bull (voiced by Adam DeVine) and his last hurrah with his mates before a rather… *unfortunate* surgical procedure, wasn't quite their cup of tea. They shelved it. Can you believe it? A Genndy Tartakovsky film, left gathering dust like a forgotten relic in a wizard's attic. It makes you wonder what goes on in those big studio boardrooms, eh? Sometimes, it feels like they’re trying to catch lightning in a bottle, then decide the bottle is the wrong shade of beige.
But then, like a familiar swooping in to save the day, Netflix stepped up, rescuing *Fixed* from oblivion and unleashing it upon the world. Fair play to them, honestly. It’s a classic tale of a visionary creator battling the bean counters, and for once, the vision won. Tartakovsky, who co-scripted this whole barking mad adventure with Jon Vitti (yeah, *The Simpsons Movie* guy!), was apparently determined to get it out there because, and this is the kicker, it's a deeply personal film for him. Like, *really* personal.
“The movie’s based on my friend group since high school,” Tartakovsky spilled to Polygon in a recent chat. Imagine that! Turning your actual mates into exaggerated canine versions of themselves. That’s some next-level dedication to your crew, isn't it? He even brought them into the early stages of the project, which sounds like an absolute blast. You know, like when you and your gaming buddies are brainstorming the most ridiculous strategies for a raid, but instead, it’s for an animated film. One of his pals, the one with a bit of a chip on his shoulder, became Rocco, a boxer dog voiced by Idris Elba, who’s constantly, and hilariously, bringing up his non-breastfed puppyhood. Talk about specific character flaws! Then there's Lucky (Bobby Moynihan), a beagle who's either deep in philosophical thought or, well, eating poop. And Fetch (Fred Armisen), a dachshund influencer whose ever-changing outfits were inspired by Tartakovsky's own doodles. It’s like peeking into a secret diary of friendships and turning it into a technicolor, raunchy masterpiece.
And it wasn't just his human mates providing the raw material. Tartakovsky drew heavily from his own dogs. He’s got three, each with distinct personalities – a “loafy” Saint Bernard who sleeps twenty hours a day, a cranky King Charles Alfie who thinks he’s a Saint Bernard, and a new, energetic King Charles who’s shaking things up. It’s this kind of observational genius that makes you appreciate the art, isn’t it? It’s not just random gags; there’s a genuine love and understanding of our furry companions woven into the fabric of the film. Even the voice cast got in on the act, with Adam DeVine admitting he channeled his neighbour’s “big old floppy nuts” dog for Bull, and Beck Bennett, who plays the arrogant Borzoi rival Sterling, thinking about what kind of dog would piss *his* own dog off. You can't make this stuff up, mate; it's too good!
What’s more, Tartakovsky was disciplined enough to even cut *himself* out of the film. He’d conceived a Siberian Husky character with a thick Russian accent, constantly spouting nonsensical things – a stand-in for himself, he reckons. But he worried it was too specific, too ‘in his own head,’ and sacrificed it for the greater good of the story. That’s a real artist, knowing when to trim the fat, even if that fat is a bit of personal comedic gold. It shows a dedication to the audience experience over an ego trip, which is something we can always appreciate in the creative industries.
The setting isn't just some generic animated city either. *Fixed* is set in Chicago, where Tartakovsky went to high school. Bull’s wild night out takes him to a “Wiggly Field Dog Park” and a food festival based on the annual Taste of Chicago. He confessed it wasn't a sophisticated, *Annie Hall*-esque tribute to New York, but enough to give the city a feel in the way they drew the buildings and houses. It adds another layer of authenticity, a grounding in reality that makes the wild shenanigans even funnier.
It all boils down to our weird, wonderful relationship with animals. Tartakovsky even referenced one of his favorite *Dexter’s Laboratory* episodes where Dexter invents a device to communicate with a lost dog, only to find the dog’s thoughts aren’t deep at all – mostly “Feed me now.” It’s a hilarious, slightly unsettling truth, isn’t it? We imbue so much personality onto our pets, projecting our own thoughts and feelings onto them, even if their inner monologue is just about kibble and belly rubs. *Fixed* seems to revel in that disconnect, celebrating the absurd joy of it all.
So, next time you're scrolling through Netflix and stumble upon *Fixed*, remember it's not just a raunchy animated film about a dog trying to avoid the vet's knife. It's a wildly personal, surprisingly heartfelt, and utterly chaotic ode to friendship, loyalty, and the strange, wonderful bond we share with our four-legged mates. Fair dinkum, it’s worth a watch, especially if you appreciate the human (or dog-human) story behind the corporate curtain.
**Source:** Polygon
Tags: Animation, Film Industry, Creative Process, Director Insights, Comedy
Original article: Polygon