Eight Below

When the workers at an Antarctic science station evacuate in the face of an approaching storm, they are forced to leave their sled dogs behind for the winter. One of the scientists (Paul Walker) works to get back to the dogs, even though their chances of survival are slim. The “inspired by a true story” nonsense is not only dishonest, but also pointless; the movie is a perfectly decent work of fiction and an enjoyable family adventure. David DiGilio’s script (very loosely based on the Japanese film Nankyoku Monogatari) switches between Walker’s efforts to return and those of the dogs to survive, and director Frank Marshall keeps the action moving smoothly. Moon Bloodgood supplies Walker’s love interest, Jason Biggs supplies the comic relief, and trainers Grace MacLeod and Sally Jo Sousa do great work with the dogs.