“Operation: Total Trouble” is a fun, 4-minute short directed by Chad Meisenheimer. It’s co-written by Meisenheimer and Yennefer Diaz, who also does the animation. It’s a cute film. I could imagine this short—about two French bulldogs left alone for the day by their owner—opening an animated feature film, or being turned into a cartoon of its own. It has an innocent quality that reminds you of cartoons of old, while the animation is unmistakably modern. And what makes “Total Trouble” the most fun (aside from a mischievous squirrel that taunts the pair from outside their window) is it subverts expectations. The dog pair aren’t truly looking to “destroy the house,” but just have a day. The result is a film that is painless to watch—and actually a lot of fun.
Films that anthropomorphize animals and imagine what they think or feel are always amusing. They end up telling us more about their filmmakers than their subjects. The pair of dogs here, Zoey and Kenny (voiced by Paytn Turner and Gary Turner, respectfully) just want to have fun and feel unchaperoned as their owner, ‘Old Lady’ (voiced by director Meisenheimer) goes out for the day. Yet unlike old “Looney Tunes” of old, what they get up to is more quaint. Gary wants to find the perfect ball to play with. Meanwhile Zoey wants to change the channel from “Lassie” to “Real Dogs of Beverly Hills.” They run. They play. And the animation from Yennefer Diaz is slow and takes its time. The dogs have a real-life quality to them—complete with big, marble eyes—that makes them wholly lovable. The film feels like a painting that suddenly came to life—right after the Old Lady leaves—letting us into its secret life.
The Secret Life of Pets
The voice acting is fun, and Paytn and Gary Turner make Zoey and Kenny instantly likable. The bonded dogs clearly have a good rapport with each other. And it was endearing that while Zoey utters the phrase, “Operation total trouble: activated,” that that “trouble” isn’t ripping up the house and dumping food all over the kitchen a la “Turner & Hooch,” but simply feeling free. The pair are clearly sheltered, and Meisenheimer adds a fun touch to the film with a naughty squirrel (voiced by Simon Watson), who taunts the two to get up to some good mischief and come after him). You get the impression the squirrel’s appearance—right outside their window, out of harm’s way—is playing the devil on their shoulder. And you also get the impression this is a daily occurrence. And while some things in the house do get messed up during the pair’s play, it’s handled in a cute way and is not the point of the film. A few precious hours of privacy for the dogs is, and we like the result.
Amidst the film’s seamless voice acting, the editing feels sharp and the music by Wicked Cookie is fun and zany. The score gives it a comical, otherworldly feel, highlighting the pair’s shenanigans while letting us know it’s their secret. And as with most works of animation where animals have their own voice, it’s a world their humans can’t understand. I also liked that Meisenheimer worked to avoid the cliche of having the owner come home to a mess and yelling at the dogs, but rather be unaware. “Operation: Total Trouble” is a private moment and Meisenheimer keeps it that way. We could easily spend more than four minutes with these two. I look forward to seeing how the film fares as it submits to festivals.
A Fun Piece of Animation
All-in-all, “Operation: Total Trouble” is a fun short. It’s Meisenheimer’s first film project since 2017, and shows he’s been missed. This is a solid project that should find easy footing with both adults and kids alike. I’d love to see a longer version of this film or a series. I’m not sure what Meisenheimer and Anarchy 84 Studios have in mind, but I hope the film finds distribution and solid footing. An overall fun time that is likely to make you smile and forget life for a while.
“Operation: Total Trouble” is currently being submitted to the film festival circuit in early January 2026. The short Will be released on Youtube after its film festival run.
