60
The New York Times by Ben Kenigsberg
The director, Richard Lanni, whose biography also cites work as a battlefield tour guide, manages a fair amount of wit, particularly with a postcard montage of Stubby’s first trip to Paris.
What are people saying?
What are critics saying?
60
Village Voice by Chris Packham
The script is only lightly didactic and well-paced, and it nods toward the adults in the audience mainly by not insulting their intelligence.
50
San Francisco Chronicle by G. Allen Johnson
A cute and scruffy movie. Helena Bonham Carter, lending a female presence to the otherwise all-male story, charmingly narrates as Robert’s sister, who pieces together the Stubby legend from letters sent home.
60
At 75 minutes, the resulting feature is the definition of slight, but just winsome and optimistic enough to justify itself.
42
The A.V. Club by Jesse Hassenger
Though little about the technical skill of Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero brings to mind Spielberg, it’s hard not to think of "War Horse."
60
The Hollywood Reporter by Jordan Mintzer
Stubby hardly shies away from the tough realities of what was known as the War to End All Wars, and it feels both proficiently documented and generally credible, even if it’s hard to believe that a dog did everything you see happening on screen.
50
The Seattle Times by Katie Walsh
There's a certain amount of cognitive dissonance when it comes to the material and the approach that the filmmakers take, and much that doesn't get covered in this short, 80-minute primer.
63
Given its pedigree, Sgt. Stubby takes fewer liberties than some fact-based war movies. Bolstered by an irresistible protagonist, the tear-jerking script by Lanni and Mike Stokey makes up for shortcomings in animation.
67
Austin Chronicle by Steve Davis
Refreshingly unsentimental and straightforward.
75
RogerEbert.com by Susan Wloszczyna
Much like the way that Stubby was often underestimated before he found his calling, I came into this film not expecting how much I would appreciate a more thoughtful use of animation to tell an engaging story.