CHANNING Tatum isn’t exactly known for highbrow entertainment. An understatement, perhaps.

A roofer, stripper and model before turning to acting, Tatum broke out in 2006’s dance flick Step Up.

He has since headed up the likes of GI Joe, 21 Jump Street and Magic Mike. All that considered, Dog really does take the biscuit.

This is the Reid Carolin and Brett Rodriguez penned Buddy comedy about US Army Ranger Briggs (Tatum) who finds himself lumbered with the task of chauffeuring a Belgian Shepherd 1500 miles down the Pacific west coast of America.

Why? In order to attend her handler’s funeral, of course. All while the rest of the army presumably prepares for war in Ukraine. Saving Private Ryan eat your heart out.

Not content with playing the film’s lead - or, rather, its muscular, poster perfect foil to the titular pooch - Tatum co-directs here with Carolin.

Theirs is a partnership ten years in the making. Six of the eight films Carolin has produced since 2010 have started Tatum. As for the other two, Tatum was a producer too.

As for why Tatum chose Dog as his first dabble with directing, we can only guess. This is not, after all, the first time he has spearheaded a feature.

Magic Mike was always Tatum’s passion project. It continues to be so and will soon spawn yet one more sequel - directed by Steven Soderbergh of all people.

The story here is, however, clearly one close to the star’s heart.

Indeed, Dog comes based on personal experience and a journey Tatum himself embarked upon with a dog named Lulu.

That tale too was tinged with tragedy. It was not long after that Lulu died of cancer. Naturally, the dog of Dog is named in her honour. Even A-listers turn soft for their pets.

Dog sees Tatum and Carolin transfer the real Lulu’s real road trip to new settings - California to Arizona - and realign its impetus to one of social commentary. It’s not hard to read the film’s message.

This one’s a firm critique of the treatment afforded post-service army veterans.

Meaning aside, Dog is also the film that will finally satisfy all those who harbour the wish to see Tatum share a bubble bath with a medium sized, short-haired Malinois sheepdog.

The point stands. Tatum will remain not known for highbrow cinema.