Wow. Does this look cute or what? Those dogs are actually too cute for words. And the fact that it's based on a true story just tugs at my heart. Thoughts?
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Eight Below
- Thread starter catinthehat
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RonAnnArbor
Well-Known Member
I saw a preview in Ann Arbor last weekend - it is fantastic. While the dogs are endearing, the entire storyline is somewhat scary and heartbreaking...I loved this movie and literally couldn't stop thinking about it afterwards. The cast is supurb...the dogs really do "Star" in this movie, though. THis is a film that adults will be enthralled by, while children will enjoy the animal aspect. Kid warning: there are extended sections of no dogs and no action - talk and exposition are vital to parts of the story - under-7's will be bored at times. Everyone else should find it very exciting. I must say that the family that sat behind me with their pair of 7 - 10 year olds were engrossed, but one of them was very scared by part of the story line...these are dogs and people in real peril. There are some intense scenes of animal violence. While it is not "jaws" scary, it is very intense for some children.
Magicmyway
New Member
I can't wait to see this! I love Disney movies that are based on true stories and yes those dogs are adorable! Love it!
RonAnnArbor said:
The animal violence part definitely freaks me out, but I feel like I have got to see it to watch them get saved. As a dog lover myself, I couldn't imagine having to leave your dogs to fend for themselves, let alone in freezing, awful conditions. The thought almost makes me cry!
I am glad to hear such a great review- I think it is a story that deserves to be told. SInce the dogs star, how was the rest of the cast? I thought it was interesting to see Jason Biggs in what appears to be a much more serious role.
RonAnnArbor
Well-Known Member
The rest of the cast is uniformly supurb -- Jason Biggs is actually used as the comic relief (big surprise).
Oh how interesting-- well I guess the film needed some comic relief with all of that intense emotion! I've seen very little of Paul Walker so I am interested to see him take on this role-- I assume he'll be pretty serious since it's his dogs he's trying to save 
WDWFREAK53
Well-Known Member
I saw this movie on Friday night...
FANTASTIC! Paul Walker could've done a little better acting...but as far as the entire movie went...it definitely tugged at the heart strings...
And...I jumped sooooooo bad at the seal part :lol:
I loved the entire movie and it just went on the "Must-buy" list.
FANTASTIC! Paul Walker could've done a little better acting...but as far as the entire movie went...it definitely tugged at the heart strings...
And...I jumped sooooooo bad at the seal part :lol:
I loved the entire movie and it just went on the "Must-buy" list.
RonAnnArbor
Well-Known Member
I agree that it is in my must buy list...I got a couple e-mails privately asking about the film, so let me add two important items that will help you make a decision as to wether or not it is appropraite for your child...Without giving away any major spoilers...
1) Not all 8 dogs make it back. Under 7-year olds often get very attached to animals, sometimes moreso than people in books and movies. If your child understands the sadness of death and the circle of life, you are okay, if they do not you need to make a decision - your child may end up crying histerically and there you are expaining the concept of death to your 5 year old...so, you know your child - plan accordingly or leave them at home. There is a particularly sad moment near near the end of the film that will remind your child that not all 8 dogs are there...The film is somewhat sanitized from the original (It is a remake of a japanese film called "Antarctica" in which only two dogs make it back and was aimed completely at the adult audience -- that is NOT the case here, but there is death involved none the less).
2) There is a sequence that children AND adults jump at - the adults find it fun, the kids can be traumatized...without saying anything else, if your child tends to get nightmares from things that "pop out" at them, then cover their eyes for a brief moment when the dog "Max" approaches the gaping hole in the side of dead whale that he finds.
This is one of my favorite movies in years - but like any good film, it makes you think a bit about your own life, the security you find in friends and pets, and what happens if that security is lost. That feeling is intensified in children.
1) Not all 8 dogs make it back. Under 7-year olds often get very attached to animals, sometimes moreso than people in books and movies. If your child understands the sadness of death and the circle of life, you are okay, if they do not you need to make a decision - your child may end up crying histerically and there you are expaining the concept of death to your 5 year old...so, you know your child - plan accordingly or leave them at home. There is a particularly sad moment near near the end of the film that will remind your child that not all 8 dogs are there...The film is somewhat sanitized from the original (It is a remake of a japanese film called "Antarctica" in which only two dogs make it back and was aimed completely at the adult audience -- that is NOT the case here, but there is death involved none the less).
2) There is a sequence that children AND adults jump at - the adults find it fun, the kids can be traumatized...without saying anything else, if your child tends to get nightmares from things that "pop out" at them, then cover their eyes for a brief moment when the dog "Max" approaches the gaping hole in the side of dead whale that he finds.
This is one of my favorite movies in years - but like any good film, it makes you think a bit about your own life, the security you find in friends and pets, and what happens if that security is lost. That feeling is intensified in children.
Yea, I heard that not all of the dogs make it which is why I assume it "tugs at the heart." I have heard a lot of tears have been shed over this film- I like that. It's refreshing to not always have the most perfect ending- more realistic. THis also needs that sense of reality considering it is based on a true story.
Epcot82Guy
Well-Known Member
I am excited to see this film. Is anyone else surprised as to how "cutesy" and Snow Dogs-like they are billing this? The first trailer I saw of it made it look like an intense documentary-esque film. It seems to fit this action genre much more so than the Children's genre (correct me if I am wrong for those that have seen it). Just was odd marketing IMHO.
AshAlytwins
New Member
" I can't wait to see it too!!"
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e370/AshAlytwins/DSC00184.jpg
(Nicholas Wrangel Tuscaroa's Son)
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e370/AshAlytwins/DSC00184.jpg
(Nicholas Wrangel Tuscaroa's Son)
Epcot82Guy said:
This doesn't seem to be the case to me at all- actually, the first time I ever saw the trailer, I thought to myself "wow, that's going to be intense." and although it is a good film for the whole family, people are saying that a lot of tears may be shed- it gives off a very serious vibe to me!
Epcot82Guy
Well-Known Member
sorry. I think I misspoke. The marketing out in the public vs. theaters seems to be different. I agree. When I saw the trailer in the theater, I was thinking it was going to be quite the intense film. However, what I have seen on TV is very lighthearted and almost silly. Sorry for the poor communication! :hammer:
Oh no worries! I happened to think both the theater and TV made it look intense- but that's just me! I guess any film I see in which the dogs are in danger is very emotional for me- which is probably why I felt such intensity from all the previews! (I'm a huge dog lover, if you couldn't tell)
Either way, the film sounds like it was good!
Either way, the film sounds like it was good!
prberk
Well-Known Member
It seems to me that in the last 20 years or so, marketing "for children" has been too often identified completely with light-hearted, silly tales that involve no real fear whatsoever.
That was not always the case. "Old Yeller" is the classic example here. It is a wonderful children's story that does not talk down to them, or pander. It treats realistic and oftening sad or frightening elements in a way that children can relate to, but still dealt with directly. And I don't think anyone at the time felt it was dangerous or "traumatic" beyond what could be expected. And it became a classic.
While I understand the innocense of childhood, I think we actually do our children a disservice when we assume all children's entertainment and stories should be antiseptic. They grow up more cynical and less prepared for life when they are sheltered completely from realistic evil or disappointment.
In truth, this just shows how we are missing truly "family" films (as in, appropriate for the whole family together) today, as opposed to saccharine children's fare or cynical comedies that are aimed at teens but attract children.
So, I like when movies like this (and "Old Yeller") are marketed to families and children, alongside the other, more sanitized children's fare.
Paul
That was not always the case. "Old Yeller" is the classic example here. It is a wonderful children's story that does not talk down to them, or pander. It treats realistic and oftening sad or frightening elements in a way that children can relate to, but still dealt with directly. And I don't think anyone at the time felt it was dangerous or "traumatic" beyond what could be expected. And it became a classic.
While I understand the innocense of childhood, I think we actually do our children a disservice when we assume all children's entertainment and stories should be antiseptic. They grow up more cynical and less prepared for life when they are sheltered completely from realistic evil or disappointment.
In truth, this just shows how we are missing truly "family" films (as in, appropriate for the whole family together) today, as opposed to saccharine children's fare or cynical comedies that are aimed at teens but attract children.
So, I like when movies like this (and "Old Yeller") are marketed to families and children, alongside the other, more sanitized children's fare.
Paul
pluto77
Well-Known Member
I just saw this yesterday, and I liked it. I'll probably buy this DVD. I agree, the acting could have been a little better, but half the movie is just the dogs anyway so the acting of the humans didn't really matter that much. :lol: Their should have been a special academy award for the dogs' performance. 
Paul Walker's love for the dogs was definitely believeable though. He was good at interacting with the dogs.
I jumped a little on the seal part too, I think I would have jumped more if I wouldn't have read the posts on this thread before hand, because about half a second before it happened, I realized that it was coming.
I guess there's a Japanese version that came in 1983 called Anartica, that eight below and credits. In the real story only 2 dogs make it, but other than that, this movie was actually pretty accurate from what I understand, except ofcourse, nobody really knows what the dogs did all those months so that part had to me made up.
Paul Walker's love for the dogs was definitely believeable though. He was good at interacting with the dogs.I jumped a little on the seal part too, I think I would have jumped more if I wouldn't have read the posts on this thread before hand, because about half a second before it happened, I realized that it was coming.
I guess there's a Japanese version that came in 1983 called Anartica, that eight below and credits. In the real story only 2 dogs make it, but other than that, this movie was actually pretty accurate from what I understand, except ofcourse, nobody really knows what the dogs did all those months so that part had to me made up.
RonAnnArbor
Well-Known Member
I got it this week too! But I have to admit, that Paul Walker's acting does NOT get any better on re-watching the movie. Although Jason Biggs hamming is smaller on the tv screen, which is nice. Love those dogs!
minnie2000
Well-Known Member
I think I'll have to give this one a miss. I can sit through any weepy and be fine, unless it involves dogs! I couldn't even watch Lassie as a child! (still can't actually).
I remember quite a few years ago, going to the cinema to see either K9 or Turner and Hooch - can't remember which. Well - I should have known better -the dog dies at the end! My husband was embarrased with me - he said, 'it's a film - it's not real!' but I still couldn't stop!
I remember quite a few years ago, going to the cinema to see either K9 or Turner and Hooch - can't remember which. Well - I should have known better -the dog dies at the end! My husband was embarrased with me - he said, 'it's a film - it's not real!' but I still couldn't stop!