Plot: What’s it about?
At a remote National Science Foundation base in Antarctica, a group has been left behind when the base was evacuated. The largest storm in twenty-five years crashed down on the area and with one crew member in need of medical attention, an evacuation was undertaken. But the helicopter could only hold so many and for the others, a return trip would be called for. But with the weather in such powerful force, the return was impossible and a rescue mission cannot be attempted until the next season. So for months, those left behind must survive the brutal elements. But those left behind weren’t humans, they were the base’s dogsled team and now, they are all alone and in immense danger. Jerry Shepherd (Paul Walker) was the base’s guide and he loves his dogs, but even he knows a rescue attempt now would be futile. The fate of the dogs haunts his mind all the time, as he wonders if they’re safe and alive. Meanwhile, the group of dogs endures day after day of harsh cold and bitter winds, in an effort to endure the elements. But as days turn to weeks and weeks turn into months, will any of the dogs be able to survive this perilous situation?
I’ve never been much on Disney’s live action animal adventures, outside of Old Yeller, I’ve found most of them to be quite dull. As I also dislike the work of Paul Walker, I was sure Eight Below would be like water torture, but I had to see for myself. I was pleased to see the animals were handled with more realism than I expected, so this isn’t a bunch of cute dogs doing adorable things. No, this is a Jack London style tale survival for the dogs, who endure bitter cold and harsh odds. But this is a Disney movie, so the Jack London inspiration is only minor, as we all know Disney delivers all happy endings these days. Even so, the movie still conveys the tension well, even though the conclusion is a foregone one. The film is “inspired” by a true story, but Eight Below takes a whole lot of liberties, to say the least. I dread films with Paul Walker and his work is as mediocre as ever, he is flat and adds little to nothing to the production. In the end, Eight Below is much better than I expected, as Disney allowed the animals to do the work, not voice overs or the live performers. These sections of the film work well, while those with the human cast are not as effective. So if you want some family friendly entertainment, then you could do a lot worse than Eight Below.
Video: How does it look?
Eight Below is presented in 2.40:1 anamorphic widescreen. I expected greatness here, but instead, the transfer looks solid at best. This is Disney and this was a high profile theatrical release, but for some reason, the transfer isn’t up to those standards. The overall image is on the soft side, much more than it should be and not just due to the constant white presence. The detail level is lower than normal and by now, we should be able to expect sharp, crisp presentations from a studio like Disney. I found colors to be bright however, while contrast is smooth and well balanced as well. This transfer is by no means bad, but it is not as crisp as it should be, so some will be disappointed here.
Audio: How does it sound?
The soundtrack is quite good however, thanks to an active Dolby Digital 5.1 surround option that covers all the bases. The power comes in a number of scenes, including some wicked storm material that really shows off how well crafted this soundtrack is. So when the boom needs to be there, it is there and isn’t just loud, but deep and detailed. As far as subtle touches, the soundtrack is good about making the background immersive, with small touches that you notice, but don’t distract you. That is not always a simple task, but you’ll feel like you’re right out there in the cold abyss here. When humans are around, dialogue is clear as can be and of course, all barks are crystal clear also. This disc also includes French and Spanish language tracks, as well as subtitles in English, Spanish, and French.
Supplements: What are the extras?
As the best part of the movie was the cast of dogs, I had no inclination to listen to the cast & crew of this one, not even close. There are two audio commentary tracks included however, if you’re more interested in hearing their production tales. As for me, I could barely tolerate Walker’s presence on screen, let alone listen to him talk about his own work for two hours. This disc also includes a behind the scenes featurette, as well as a handful of deleted scenes.
