SYNOPSIS:
This heartwarming true story is an American adaptation of a Japanese tale about a loyal dog named Hachiko. This special dog nicknamed "Hachi" accompanies his master Parker, a university professor to the train station every morning to see him off and then returns to the station each afternoon to greet him at the end of the day. The emotionally complex nature of what unfolds when their uncomplicated routine becomes interrupted is what makes Hachi's story a tale for the ages; a dog's faithful devotion to his master exposes the great power of love and how this simplest of acts can become the grandest gesture of all.
MOVIE REVIEW:
Among
many stories about dogs and their relationship with their
owner, Hachiko would probably be the most well known for loyalty
and faithfulness. Hachiko, an Akita breed of dog would company
his owner, a Professor to the train station as he went to
work. Hachiko would wait for his master to return at the train
station and accompany him back home. Of course that wouldn't
be enough to make it a well known story and for those who
are coming across this story for the first time, there will
be spoiler information in this review on how events would
shape the legend of Hachiko.
What made the story legendary was that one day, the Professor
died of a sudden heart attack and never made it back to the
train station, causing the loyal Hachiko to wait for 9 odd
years at the train station. Hachiko's dedication and faithfulness
to his master had touch the heart of many Japanese and nowadays,
if you visit the Shibuya Station, A bronze statue of him could
be found at one of the entrance.
For the American audience, this well known Japanese tale had
been modified to suit an American setting and cast. While
some purist might groan at that form of pandering, the modification
of the Japanese tale wasn't without it's merits. It does take
the effort to draw back to it's Japanese roots by explaining
it's various unique behavior. It also made a point to mention
about the actual story that happened in Tokyo back in the
1930s.
The actual story by itself is a rather short
one. In order to make it a feature length presentation, Hachiko
A Dog's Story padded itself up with new elements. It presented
how the professor and the dog met at a rail way station by
chance. The initial unlikelihood of them forming an owner
and pet relationship and the professor's family. It's done
in such lighthearted manner that it's easy to sit through
and like the various characters that inhibit the dog's world.
However
the ending for this story could be rather controversial for
some pet lovers. It's a problem that arises by adding a family
to the professor's life. The original tale never mention that
the professor had any family members to look after Hachiko
after his passing and in this movie, there was a daughter
and a wife that took care of the dog. In order to fulfill
it's 'destiny', the ending of this movie provoked the pet
lovers to deem the family members as irresponsible owners
that allowed the dog to fend for itself. But then again, there
will be some that will argue that what the dog wanted so it's
up to the viewer in deciding which stance they want to be
in.
Nevertheless,
the cutesy Akita breed and the serviceable plot will make
beloved legend likable and touching to watch. It's fluffy
and never strive to be overly melodramatic to drive home the
morale of the story. Quite a unexpected delight in a pet movie.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
NIL
AUDIO/VISUAL:
The
cuddly furry animal and the nice snowy scenery in Hachiko:
A Dog's Story had been nicely presented on this disc.
MOVIE RATING:
 
DVD
RATING:
Review by Richard Lim Jr
Posted on 30 April 2010
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