Post by StevePulaski on Feb 22, 2020 19:10:22 GMT -5
The Call of the Wild (2020)
Directed by: Chris Sanders
Directed by: Chris Sanders
John Thornton (Harrison Ford) and his dog Buck in The Call of the Wild.
Rating: ★★½
It's ironic the first Fox movie (now 20th Century Studios) released after Disney's acquisition is a callback to the Mouse House's live-action classics such as Beethoven and Swiss Family Robinson. If Disney is going to insist on allocating resources to live-action remakes of their catalog, let it be known I'd be much more inclined to see a film like The Call of the Wild, which could (and does) benefit from a more modern sheen. The last noteworthy film adaptation of the Jack London novel most of us read in grade school was back in 1976, headlined by John Beck (I'm ignoring the 3D Christopher Lloyd film from 11 years ago, like most people did), so a contemporary reworking starring Harrison Ford isn't nearly as much of a sin as last year's The Lion King.
The story revolves around Buck (motion-capture performance by Terry Notary of The Square fame), a large Saint Bernard/Scotch Shepherd mix, who is ousted by his original owner (Bradley Whitford) after soiling a family celebration. He's dognapped by a local who ships him to Alaska in the heat of the Gold Rush, where he learns quickly how cruel and unfeeling humans can be. His first real job is that of a sled dog for a couple (Omar Sy and Cara Gee) hauling freight across the icy tundra of the Yukon. Initial struggles are exactly that as Buck eventually commands the herd and overtakes the leadership role from another pugnacious pup. When that journey concludes rather unceremoniously, Buck and the rest of his kin is purchased by a miserable treasure-seeker (Dan Stevens) before finally winding up under the care of John Thornton (Harrison Ford), a loner. You can probably already tell it's not just Buck who is getting a lesson in companionship along the way.
London's novel is a harsh tale made less intimidating on the page versus seeing the animal cruelty and hardships brought to life on the big-screen. Working with screenwriter Michael Green (Logan), director Chris Sanders (Lilo & Stitch) tries to tow the line between making a kid-friendly adventure flick and one that is spiritually faithful to the source material. Judging by the rousing response of my matinee showing — populated by folks with a lot of gray hair — I believe this adaptation will resonate with older audiences more-so than younger ones on the basis that the "aww"-inspiring moments of puppy love are kept to a minimum.
The most glaring attribute is the abundance of computer wizardry. I was as skeptical as anyone when I took note of the CGI dogs, although after the fact, I do understand the direction. By using artificial dogs, so to speak, it liberates both Sanders and crew when it comes to what Buck can physically do. After animal cruelty controversy engulfed much of the press leading up to the release of A Dog's Purpose several years ago, it's not tremendously surprising they chose this route. However, it does take getting used to, especially seeing Buck contort his body in ways dogs simply cannot. The beating he withstands throughout makes you wonder if he's got more in common with A-X-L than any other Saint Bernard out there.
Dog movies have become a ubiquitous subgenre in the mainstream over the last several years, not just relegated to the direct-to-video/streaming circuit. They are everything from overly sentimental (A Dog's Purpose), creative and artsy (Isle of Dogs), to bizarre (The Art of Racing in the Rain). It's a pleasant thing to watch a film of this breed that focuses on the adventure aspects, even when the maudlin moments are still abound. Some of the most thrilling sequences come when Buck is finding his footing as a sled dog, at first being responsible for the cargo and the other dogs capsizing to proving himself a vocal force of security and guidance for a troupe nagivating treacherous territory. There's not much in the way of non-R-rated adult entertainment at the multiplex these days, and the mild-mannered demographic should find their desires at least adequately met with this particular version of The Call of the Wild.
Starring: Harrison Ford, Omar Sy, Cara Gee, Dan Stevens, Karen Gillan, and Bradley Whitford. Motion-capture performances by: Terry Notary. Directed by: Chris Sanders.