Opening Day: 13 April 2006

Synopsis :

Inspired by a true story, EIGHT BELOW is an exciting action-adventure about loyalty and the bonds of friendship set in the extreme wilderness of Antarctica. The film tells the story of three members of a scientific expedition: Jerry Shepard (PAUL WALKER), his best friend, Cooper (JASON BIGGS), and a rugged American geologist (BRUCE GREENWOOD), who are forced to leave behind their team of beloved sled dogs due to a sudden accident and perilous weather conditions in Antarctica. During the harsh, Antarctic winter, the dogs must struggle for survival alone in the intense frozen wilderness for over 6 months. The film is inspired by the events of a 1957 Japanese Antarctic Expedition, which served as the basis for the blockbuster Japanese film, "Nankyoku Monogatari" ("Antarctica").

Movie Review:

This is an action adventure story between a man and his beloved snow dogs. It is truly amazing what humans can do for the thing that matters to them most and most importantly by doing it; it will set their heart in place. You would be sincerely inspired by this movie featured on the friendship between Man and Dogs, which takes place in the wilderness of cold Antarctica

It all started when Doctor Davis was on an expedition in search of a fallen meteorite in Antarctica. In order for him to get what he wants, he is led by Jerry Shepard starred by Paul Walker together with his eight sleigh dogs to bring him across the snow and ice to retrieve his fallen stone from mercury. Throughout the journey these two men and eight dogs would have to brave the harsh stormy weather and tread on thin ice, ice so thin it cracks the very moment you stepped on it. On their way back to the base station, Doctor Davis accidentally slipped on the ice and fell beneath the thin ice. It is an eye opener to see how well trained dogs can be especially faithful ones. These dogs they were as afraid of the stormy weather as we humans, gave in their all and rescued the Doctor out of the cold freezing water, sending the both of them back to the base station as fast as they could. Since Doctor Davis had seriously hurt his leg he would have to be sent back for immediate treatment and Jerry too who is in a serious condition due to frostbites out in the snow. Jerry had no choice but to leave behind his eight sleigh dogs to seek immediate medical treatment.

The dogs were left all alone now to fend for themselves, and the movie now toggled between Jerry and his sleigh dogs. Jerry on one hand is seeking funds for his expedition back to Antarctica to rescue his beloved dogs. Yet as the movie progresses we can see how clever this creatures are especially when it comes to fulfilling their hunger. There is a particular scene, which featured the dogs sneaking behind some birds then zooming towards them in all directions and these birds ended up as meals for the dogs instead. There is another scene, which displayed the intelligence of these dogs, while moving along in the snow, and enduring hunger, they chance upon a dead whale. The leader of the pack Max went forward to taste the meat of the dead whale only to be surprised by the attacked of the sea lion. Max together with his companions came up with a plan. Max bit on a piece of meat off the dead whale and ran off away with it, it spurned the anger of the sea lion thus leading the sea lion on a wild goose chase. While Max led the sea lion on the chase, all his companions got the chance to feed their hunger by feeding on the dead whale. While all of them were enjoying their meal, the sea lion took a chance to bit the leg of one of them and thus crippling it.

Towards the end of the movie, the expedition team and Jerry got together some funding went half way around the earth back to Antarctica to save the life of his beloved dogs. The journey back to Antarctica proves to be a tedious one too as the snow gets deeper and thicker thus not allowing the ship to pass through it. The team flew in a helicopter to an Italian Base Station got on a snowcap braving the snow and saved the remaining six other dogs.

I would recommend this movie especially to animal lovers, seeing how these dogs survived the cold winter it would break your heart. It broke mine, seeing how faithful these creatures can be. Bring your family to watch this especially little children, since most children adore animals.

Movie Rating:

Review by Angela Tay