Eight Below

This live-action Disney movie, about a team of sled dogs left to fend for themselves over the Antarctic winter after researchers flee the onslaught of bad weather, is nicely photographed and boasts a bevy of well-trained animals that will make canine-lovers “ooh” and “ah.” Unfortunately, Eight Below not only goes to extremes in anthropomorphizing the dogs but is also burdened with a human plotline that's given far too much screen time. Inspired, as they say, by a true story, the picture is reasonably diverting so long as it stays in the icy wilds and focuses on the pooches, even if the canine-centered material is highly speculative (after all, one would need some sort of doggie diary to get the facts right, and none of the dogs seems to have mastered the art of writing). But the film is not nearly as engaging when the script turns to the team's loving master (the bland Paul Walker) and his comic-relief buddy (scenery-chewing Jason Biggs, who provides very little comedy and even less relief) as they later try to rescue the animals. Still, this isn't bad family entertainment, though viewers should be warned that some of the dogs' adventures, especially a run-in with a vicious seal, may frighten very young children, making the PG rating entirely appropriate. A strong optional purchase. [Note: Available in either widescreen or full screen versions, DVD extras include two audio commentaries (one by director Frank Marshall and producer Pat Crowley; the other by Marshall, star Paul Walker, and cinematographer Don Burgess), an 11-minute “Running with Dogs” making-of featurette, five deleted scenes with optional commentary (10 min.), and trailers. Bottom line: a solid extras package for a so-so family film.] (F. Swietek)