Eight
Below is a rousing tale of survival from Walt Disney Pictures. Taking a cue from
the likes of Jean-Jacques Annaud’s The Bear, this entertaining adventure
(inspired by true events) works best when it’s focusing on it’s four
legged stars and less on the cliched human storylines.
Eight
Below is set to the icy backdrop of the Antarctic. As the film opens, we are introduced
to Jerry Shepard (Paul Walker), a scientist who agrees to aid a geologist (Bruce
Greenwood) on his quest to find rare meteorite samples. Thanks to the assistance
of a team of sled dogs, the geologist escapes certain death when an untimely mishap
renders him immobile. Thankfully, these well conditioned canines are on hand to
save the day. Upon returning to their post, Jerry is horrified when he and his
small crew are ordered to flee and leave the dogs behind. Evidently a massive
storm was on the way, and when it hit, it would spell certain doom to anyone (or
anything) that remains in it’s path.
Without
much of a choice, Jerry reluctantly leaves his four legged friends behind. When
he arrives to the main land, he wastes no time attempting to put a search party
together so that he might return and retrieve the dogs. Alas, he is unable to
convince anyone to accompany him back due to the size of the storm. Little does
Jerry know, these dogs are incredibly resilient. Against the harshest of conditions,
they fight to survive.
Eight
Below was directed by Frank Marshall, a one time Steven Spielberg collaborator.
This film maker is at his best when he sticks to the tale of survival. Those who
know Marshall’s resume know that he’s no stranger to such business as
he directed the similarly themed Alive. I suppose you might call Eight Below Alive
with dogs, only thankfully, this was a few years before Hollywood became such
a dog eat dog town.
These
dogs are absolutely gorgeous creatures and prove to be much more talented than
many of their human counterparts. This includes Paul Walker (Fast and the Furious).
All joking aside, I actually kind of liked Walker in this film. He doesn’t
exactly brim with personality, but the rapport he has with these animals is genuine.
He sort of treats them like Santa might treat his reindeer, calling each by name
and tending to the canines on a distinct, individual basis. Remember his character’s
name is Jerry Shepard sounds suspiciously like German Shepard. Weird.
Moon
Bloodgood is a beauty to be sure, but she has the rather thankless role of playing
a love interest to Walker’s Jerry. It’s a cliched scenario to be sure.
Likewise, American Pie’s Jason Biggs is simply hanging around to provide
the film with bursts of obvious comic relief. Bruce Greenwood is terrific as a
good hearted scientist who decides to give back to those who saved his life.
Again
though, Eight Below really goes to the dogs, and when this picture delves into
their brutal situation, I felt like I was transported to another world. Credit
Frank Marshall, Cinematographer Don Burgess (Cast Away, The Bourne Identity),
and Composer Mark Isham (Crash, Miracle) for conveying to the audience what these
canines are experiencing, through imagery and sound. This isn’t like Homeward
Bound where the animals tell the audience what’s happening by friggin’
talking. This is a breathtaking visual experience. Look no further than a stunning
sequence in which the starving sled dogs attempt to outwit a flock of unsuspecting
birds.
Eight Below
does have it’s flaws. Most of the human characters’ situations are stock,
and I found it a tad odd that this so-called dangerous storm is never really shown.
Most of the time the dogs are on screen, weather conditions are surprisingly tame.
Finally, I did feel the film could have been a little shorter.
These
are minor gripes, however, toward an otherwise entertaining tale of loyalty and
survival. And did I mention that Eight Below features one of the best scares I’ve
had at the movies in a long time? Let’s just say I’ll think twice before
dining on a dead killer whale. (Fortunately it's not a decision I'm called upon
to make very regularly.) Eight Below is solid entertainment for the whole family
and it’s easily Frank Marshall’s best film since Arachnophobia.
