Leading Ladies: February 2006

Eight Below

Stars: Paul Walker, Jason Biggs, Bruce Greenwood
Director: Frank Marshall
Rating: PG

Inspired by a true story, this Disney flick tells the story of three arctic adventurers who, because of a weather emergency, are forced to leave their loyal and beloved sled dogs, and of the one guy (Walker) who refuses to let the dogs remain lost. The story is a gem, this week's female critics say, a movie that's stolen by the four-legged stars.

Entertainment Weekly's Lisa Schwarzbaum says, "This clean, classical, hooray-for-the-pooches picture... does the thing that Disney animals-in-the-snow movies have been doing so reliably ‑- and satisfyingly ‑- since White Wilderness nearly 50 years ago: It tells a wordless, admirable tale of quadruped bravery, cooperation, loyalty, patience and nobility, with crisp nature photography and fine, round music."

The Washington Post's Ann Hornaday says, "Although the dogs have surely been Disney-fied to some extent, the sequences of them trying to survive are magnificent and deeply moving. Bring the Kleenex, and hug your pups when you get home."

The Austin Chronicle's Marjorie Baumgarten writes, "[The director] has created a family film that doesn't pander, preach or poop out. That alone is a rare thing." USA Today's Claudia Puig says "Though it has plenty of moments of predictability, Eight Below also has its surprises. It's an engrossing film that reminds us of the nobility and grace of man's best friend and of the fierce will to survive in the face of the harshest of odds."

Eleanor Ringel Gillespie of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution says, "As magnificent as the setting is, the dogs are more so. Graceful, gorgeous creatures, they're anthropomorphized just enough to give them distinct personalities. With the possible exception of Harrison Ford, these paragons of beauty, strength, intelligence and loyalty are as close to old-fashioned heroes as anyone or anything we've seen onscreen all winter."

Female consensus: Paul Walker plus adorable dogs... what are you waiting for?

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