Review of Eight Below

EIGHT BELOW - STORY: In Antarctica, eight heroic sled dogs are left behind after a snowstorm delays their airplane ride home and the human in charge of them is determined to find a way to rescue them. Meanwhile, for months, they must survive on their own.

EIGHT BELOW - MESSAGE: Loyalty to a team ensures the longterm survival of us all.

EIGHT BELOW - WIN: The dogs, each with a personality, were very able in solving the incredible problems of surviving on their own and using teamwork to accomplish more. The love and communication of the film's hero with the dogs was very poignant. The hero's above average persistence set a good example. He also exerted loving control over the dogs. The story was about helping those who help us.

EIGHT BELOW - LOSE: I'm not familiar with life in Antarctica, but it seems to me there would be chores and duties which wouldn't leave time for staring out the window or playing games. I don't care for movies where one character tells another to "get over it," when something very emotional is affecting them. Rarely, in movies or life, does that cause the person to snap out of it. The hero's love interest eventually did redeem herself by helping the hero, but her emotional arc of going from resentment to strongly interested in the hero (flashing a pretty smile all along) seemed to be an unnatural transition.

EIGHT BELOW - EFFECT ON ME: I talked a lot about the film with friends. It raised my appreciation for the ability of dogs (and maybe other animal life) to solve problems which give them more depth and my esteem. I felt, to a degree, more courageous in my endeavors, since my trials are not nearly as monumental. It rekindled an emotional tie I've had with animals.