This fabulous adaptation of Jack London’s 1903 novel of the same name features some less than perfectly rendered CGI canines, but still succeeds in being one of the most uplifting films of the year so far.
It tells the story of Buck, a pampered St. Bernard Collie who’s abducted from his home in California and transplanted to the Yukon territories of Alaska during the Klondike gold rush of the 1890s. He is later sold to amiable French-Canadian mail worker Perrault (Omar Sy) who puts him to work pulling his sled. We follow Buck as he embraces his inner adventurer all the while attempting to be the best friend he can be to Harrison Ford’s taciturn grieving loner John Thornton.
This heartwarming tale is the first live action film from Lilo & Stitch Director Chris Sanders. He and writer Michael Green present an engaging adaptation that’s elevated by Ford’s wonderfully understated turn. Elsewhere, Downton’s Dan Stevens is exquisite as unhinged adventurer Hal.
All in all, this shaggy-dog story is worth every minute of your time.
This review was first published in print in The Daily Mirror on 21/02/20
