Eight Below (2006) Movie Information:

Eight Below (2006) Directed by: Frank Marshall Eight Below (2006) Written by: David DiGilio Eight Below (2006) Cast: Paul Walker, Bruce Greenwood, Moon Bloodgood, Jason Biggs, Wendy Crewson, Gerard Plunkett

Eight Below (2006) U.S. Distributor: Walt Disney Pictures Eight Below (2006) U.K. Distributor: Not available at this time

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Eight Below (2006) Synopsis:

Inspired by a true story, "Eight Below" is an exciting action-adventure about loyalty and the bonds of friendship set in the extreme wilderness of Antarctica. The film tells the story of three members of a scientific expedition: Jerry Shepard (Paul Walker), his best friend, Cooper (Jason Biggs), and a rugged American geologist (Bruce Greenwood), who are forced to leave behind their team of beloved sled dogs due to a sudden accident and perilous weather conditions in Antarctica. During the harsh, Antarctic winter, the dogs must struggle for survival alone in the intense frozen wilderness for over 6 months. The film is inspired by the events of a 1957 Japanese Antarctic Expedition, which served as the basis for the blockbuster Japanese film, "Nankyoku Monogatari" ("Antarctica").

Eight Below (2006) Movie Review:

Inspired by a true story, Eight Below is an engaging family film that is driven by tender warmth and tactical adventure. It works as a family Disney film, which is what it is, nothing more. However, do not believe that you are taking youngsters to another Snow Dogs (2001) type of film.

The story follows Antarctic guide Jerry Shepherd (Paul Walker) and his team of eight sled dogs which he considers his family. Of course he has a sidekick cartographer buddy, Cooper (Jason Biggs), living with him in the middle of the snow of Antarctica, but the dogs are his driving force. Each dog has their own unique personality or visual feature to make each stand out throughout the story. There are the twins, Truman and Dewey, the aging one Old Jack, the big brut Buck, the all white Shadow, the happy-go lucky Shorty, the rookie of the bunch Max, and the reliable leader Maya. Jerry and his dogs take on the job of escorting a famous geologist, Doctor Davis McLaren (Bruce Greenwood) out into challenging mountains searching for a crucial meteor sample. On the way back from their expedition, Jerry and the doctor learn that a dangerous storm is heading their way. As they quickly try to get back to their base, the dogs save the doctor from an serious accident, which leaves him with a broken leg. Once Jerry arrives back to their base, the storm is beginning to hit and he and all that are left must evacuate immediately. Unwantingly, Jerry has to leave the dogs behind chained outside to get to safety in time. He however promises each dog that he will come back for them.

Once to safety, for one reason or another, Jerry is denied entry back into the area to get his dogs. Filled with anger and guilt, he continuously looks for ways to wheel and deal a rescue attempt. The dogs themselves break free from their chains to search for food and other ways to survive the bitter cold and the dangers of nature.

Director Frank Marshall does not try anything extraordinary with his telling of this story; he practically places the pieces and lets it tell itself. Marshall is familiar with the snow and ice atmosphere as he previously directed another survival film of a very different light called Alive (1993), which many audiences could not stomach. With Alive, Marshall’s camera choices were vivid, with Eight Below; the scope of the atmosphere is more balanced. Eight Below is based off of the 1983 Japanese film, Nankyoku Monogatari (also known as Antarctica), which was directed by Koreyoshi Kurahara. The inspiring true story of the film actually occurred in 1957. Dave DiGilio scripts Eight Below with decent characterizations and development, though some scenes are winded. The choice to make this a Disney film works in its favor; it is a good little story for families, especially children. The choices by DiGilio and Marshall include intense peril situations for the dogs’ survival, which make the film realistic and thrilling. However, some of the dogs get pretty banged up, which includes battles against the weather and an angry leopard seal, which might be a little scary for very young children.

Paul Walker takes a different turn as playing a character in a family movie as Jerry. Walker has never emerged beyond his limitations as an actor and he does not stride incredible ground in this film, but it is one of his better roles to date. Jason Biggs is typecast as the comic relief of the film that is at times is annoying. The reliable Bruce Greenwood delivers the goods as always as the exploring doctor whose life the dogs save. The dogs themselves are the endearing stars of this film, and none of the actors try to take away from them.

Eight Below is a solid family film that will entertain most audiences. It is a Disney film, so all the usual “disneyish” clichés and moments are there, but what is different about this one are the realism and the intense nature of survival. If a nutty Disney film set in the snow like Snow Dogs can be a box office hit, Eight Below should have no problem being successful.

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Eight Below (2006) review written by: Bailey Henderson