Eight Below Review
by Steve Rhodes (Steve DOT Rhodes AT InternetReviews DOT com)February 15th, 2006
EIGHT BELOW
A film review by Steve Rhodes
Copyright 2006 Steve Rhodes
RATING (0 TO ****): *** 1/2
EIGHT BELOW, by Walt Disney Pictures, is a thrilling, old-fashioned animal adventure that ranks with the best of such classic Disney films. Animal lovers everywhere will absolutely adore this movie. And, even if you've never even had a pet or wanted one, this gripping story will have you frequently on the edge of your seat. Although loosely based on the same true story that inspired the 1983 Japanese film, NANKYOKU MONOGATARI, EIGHT BELOW barely mentions this fact, instead choosing to let its script work on its own rather than using the true story crutch.
Although the stars of the production are the very emotive canine actors with the magnificent scenery as their supporting cast, the human actors do a fine job playing third fiddle to the dogs and the view. Paul Walker, usually the epitome of blandness, turns in one of his better performances as Gerry Shepherd, an Antarctic dogsled driver. Gerry spends six months every year transporting NSF scientists over the frozen earth. During the long winter, he is sent home since nothing can go in or out during that hostile season, making his services unnecessary.
The love -- or more precisely the loves -- of Gerry's life are his eight trusty dogs who pull his sled. You'll fall instantly in love with each of them too, but I think you'll be hard pressed not to like Max, the blue-eyed youngster of the bunch, best.
When Gerry is called upon to risk his and his dogs' lives on a mission to find a Mercury meteorite late in the season when the ice is especially thin, he reluctantly agrees. Bruce Greenwood plays the scientist. The other main human actors are Moon Bloodgood, who plays the pilot and the love interest, and Jason Biggs, who plays the cartographer and the funny sidekick. You can safely ignore them. As I said, this isn't their movie. Director Frank Marshall correctly puts the emphasis where it should be with the animals and their environment. This is particularly obvious since the only time the movie ever meanders is a needlessly long episode set back in the states.
A series of misadventures causes the humans to have to leave the dogs behind, as the worst winter in twenty-five years sets in. Since Gerry thinks they will be able to fly back in a few hours, he carefully chains up the dogs outside. The rest of the movie is punctuated by updates on how long our canine friends have had to fend for themselves in a dangerous and inhospitable terrain. The periodic titles read, "Days On Their Own:" -- pause -- the ever increasing number.
The animals' mesmerizing story is alternately sad, uplifting, funny and terrifying. There is one particularly sad moment, rivaling the death of Bambi's mother, and another scary one that had me jump more than at any so-called scary movie. Although a little tyke sitting on our front row got frightened, I think most kids will be able handle the film since they will be at one with nature and the dogs.
As the story moves toward the conclusion, the only two questions remaining are how long it will take for the crew to return and how many of the dogs, if any, will still be among the living. Suffice it to say that you're going to need lots of tissue for the evitable tears of joy and sorrow. And, when you exit the theater, you are going to feel more at one with nature and with man's best friend.
EIGHT BELOW runs 1:50. It is rated PG for "some peril and brief mild language" and would be acceptable for kids around 5 and up.
The film opens nationwide in the United States on Friday, February 17, 2006. In the Silicon Valley, it will be showing at the AMC theaters, the Century theaters and the Camera Cinemas.
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