I saw a sneak preview of 'Eight Below' tonight. I hear that it's based on/suggested by another film, 'Nankyoku Monogatari.' As I have not seen that film, I can't make any comparisons. What I can say is that 'Eight Below' is one beautifully-done movie.
When I saw director Frank Marshall's name attached, I wondered if this movie would be 'Alive' with dogs. In a way, it is; both films deal with groups that get stranded in the ice-cold middle of nowhere for an extended period of time and have to survive on their own. The difference is that the dogs are left there instead of crash-landing. This movie is about a team of dogs who must survive on their own and a man, forced to leave them behind, who will stop at nothing to rescue them.
Marshall's direction is assured, Don Burgess's cinematography is beautiful, and Mark Isham delivers another wonderful music score. Jason Biggs brings some welcome comic relief in his scenes. But ultimately, the movie belongs to the dogs and Paul Walker. It's not necessarily that I don't like him, but most of Walker's movies just don't do anything for me. As far as I'm concerned, this is by far his best performance to date. He brings depth to a character who is very good at his job, hurt at having to leave his team behind, determined to go back and rescue them, and realizing that he may not like what he finds when he gets there. And the dogs are nothing less than MAGNIFICENT, truly a joy to watch every second they're on screen. You cannot help but feel for them, cheer for them and adore them.
'Eight Below' is a thoroughly winning adventure.
By thy side, Figaro
When I saw director Frank Marshall's name attached, I wondered if this movie would be 'Alive' with dogs. In a way, it is; both films deal with groups that get stranded in the ice-cold middle of nowhere for an extended period of time and have to survive on their own. The difference is that the dogs are left there instead of crash-landing. This movie is about a team of dogs who must survive on their own and a man, forced to leave them behind, who will stop at nothing to rescue them.
Marshall's direction is assured, Don Burgess's cinematography is beautiful, and Mark Isham delivers another wonderful music score. Jason Biggs brings some welcome comic relief in his scenes. But ultimately, the movie belongs to the dogs and Paul Walker. It's not necessarily that I don't like him, but most of Walker's movies just don't do anything for me. As far as I'm concerned, this is by far his best performance to date. He brings depth to a character who is very good at his job, hurt at having to leave his team behind, determined to go back and rescue them, and realizing that he may not like what he finds when he gets there. And the dogs are nothing less than MAGNIFICENT, truly a joy to watch every second they're on screen. You cannot help but feel for them, cheer for them and adore them.
'Eight Below' is a thoroughly winning adventure.
By thy side, Figaro