Eight Below

Eight Below
Director: Frank Marshall
Screenplay by David DiGilio inspired by the 1983 Japanese film Nankyoku Monogatari by writers Toshiro Ishido, Koreyoshi Kurahara, Tatsuo Nogami, and Kan Saji
Walt Disney Pictures

Long-time Spielberg producer Frank Marshall hasn't had a particularly notable run as a director, but looking at his filmography one film stood out in relation to this one: Alive. Here again is a snowy survival story--but this Disney flick is completely without cannibalism. That's how they should advertise this movie. It'd be the perfect tagline. This is scheduled to open February 17.

Jerry Shepard (Paul Walker) is an Antarctic guide taking a geologist (Bruce Greenwood) to the rather out-of-the-way mountain of Melbourne, taking sled dogs over the treacherous, icy territory to find an ancient rock. A terrible storm abrews, and they have to go back earlier than expected. Accidents happen, dogs become heroes, and then it's off to the hospital...without the beloved dogs, left at base camp, with nary a chance to go back. After some time, Jerry tries fervently to find someone that can help him go back and save the dogs have started to fend for themselves in the wild--it's their survival story. Along with cutie pilot Katie (Moon Bloodgood--ain't that a cool name for such a smokin' chick?) and friend Cooper (Jason Biggs), Shepard tries to mount a hopeful mission to get closure.

Wow...I am stunned how good this movie is. It's your good old-fashioned adventure film, complete with heart-pounding danger and characters you actually care about (especially the dogs). Paul Walker is a niche actor, he'll always be a Keanu Reeves-type, which suits this film fine, and he carries his portion of the film nicely. Not one poop joke or other bodily function-related material enters into the movie--a huge plus. No silly antics. Just a refreshing family actioner...although it might be a little too intense for youngsters--dunno, that's up to the parents. Just know, without giving anything away...it can be unsettling. Which is another big plus.

There are very few, if any, flaws. I did have one question in the end that the filmmakers didn't answer--it's something the audience knows, but the characters don't, that they never question amongst themselves. But that's a tiny quibble and didn't hurt the movie at all.

This movie downright blindsided me. I mean--when we go through the machinations of praise, it's easy to say, "What, is this movie better than Pulp Fiction or something?" Well, no...it's just a fine genre pic, one that hits all the right notes. A must see if you're interested.