EIGHT BELOW tells the tale of survival of eight huskies abandoned during the midst of a storm in the frozen untouched wilderness of Antarctica.  The phrase inspired by a true story flashes across the screen as the credits roll, but those in the know are aware that the film is based on the 1983 Japanese blockbuster Nankyoku Monogatari which tells of marooned dogs and the human companions that saved them.  But before the action begins, the viewer is treated to cutesy penguins jumping into the icy water and leopard seals playing in the snow.  As Eight Below is a Disney Studio product, complaining about unrealistic and over-tamed filmmaking is beyond use.  So, Frank Marshall’s (Alive and Congo) family tale succeeds then as harmless live action adventure to the tune to Jungle Cat or Homeward Bound.

Director Marshall and David Didgilio’s screenplay tells the story in a straightforward fashion.  Firstly, the introduction to the dogs, the territory and the human beings.  The dogs save the day, then abandoned and left to fend for themselves in the wild till rescued.  Of the actors, Jason Biggs (American Pie) as Cooper provide sufficient comic relief while Canadian’s own Bruce Greenwood (of the Atom Egoyan films and Thirteen days) is sufficiently credible as an over enthusiastic geologist who eventually comes to his senses.  Paul Walker (of Timline, 2 Fast 2 Furious) and Moon Bloodgood are unbearable as the couple providing the romantic interest.  But though the dogs are the real stars of the film, director Marshall fails to make one dog distinguishable from another except from their looks.  But Antarctica being Antarctica always fascinates.  Don Burgess (Forest Gump, Contact) photographs some great segments - the leopard seal swimming under the ice to grab at the dogs; the endless blinding ice snowy ice fields.  But the most outrageous clichéd scenes are the souped-up Christchurch (New Zealand) bar scene where Jerry (Paul Walker) is surprised by his gang all ready with equipment and transport to go rescue the dogs and his visit to the ‘man with dogs’ giving advice on truth and peace within oneself.  One odd scene has Katie (Bloodgood) chiding Jerry on giving up hope by teaching kayaking to 9 year-olds.  I happened to sit behind two 9-year olds, obviously unpleased by Katie’s remark during the screening.  The script should not offend the film’s target audience.

All that said, EIGHT BELOW is not that bad and is satisfactory entertainment.  But truthfully, the film is inspired by the desire to make more money for the Disney Studios.