Eight Below

When you first think of eight dogs treading through the snow you might be reminded of a forgettable flop titled Snow Dogs. Thankfully, Eight Below is not that film. Although it is by Disney, making it inevitably a bit corny, Eight Below is sweet natured and quite fun. All human performances seem contrived, but they also weren’t given much to work with. The dogs, however, are cute, smart, and irresistible, just as expected, as they try to survive the harsh winter weather of Antarctica after being left there in an emergency evacuation. Before the evacuation of the research station there are a few enticing moments between the researchers while the dogs show off some of their incredible life-saving skills. Once on their own the dogs fend off threatening seals in a heart-racing scene and struggle to find food and risk being separated from the group in some of the film’s more authentic moments. The story is very clichéd and predictable, but with subtle scientific talk, entertaining adventures, and bittersweet reunions, Eight Below is one small step for dogs, but one giant leap from Snow Dogs.

Starring: Paul Walker, Jason Biggs, Bruce Greenwood, Moon Bloodgood
Director: Frank Marshall
Runtime: 120 minutes