ironhorse_iv
People have always seemed to have a soft spot for heroic fictional dogs. Whether it's on television like 'Lassie' (1954-1973), 'Rin Tin Tin' (1954-1959), & or heart-warming family films like 'Old Yellow' (1957) & 'Benji' (1974) series. These creatures has captures our love and affection as few other things. So it's only natural, to want to hear about real-life dogs who save people for real, like Balto (1919-1933), whom help out on a supple run, to prevent a deadly epidemic from ravaging Nome, Alaska in 1925. However, I can't say, this animation film from Amblin Entertainment & Universal Pictures is historic accurate. There were a few parts in this film directed by Simon Wells that was a little far-fetched like the idea that one set of dog-sled mushers made the seven hundred miles from Nenana to Nome to stop an epidemic, in a few days, when it normally takes 25 days. In truth, 1925 Serum Run, also known as "Great Race of Mercy", carry out the task in five and half days, without much breaks, because they had 20 mushers and about 150 sled dogs, at relay points throughout the path. If anything, it was more a relay race than a marathon. Also, Balto in real life, wasn't the dog that went through the longest and most hazardous part of the run. That honor goes to Togo, who led his team on a 91-mile journey that included crossing the perilous ice of Norton Sound. The real Balto, only got the credit, because they were the ones that arrived in Nome. This claim to fame, became a source of controversy by many historians, as many consider Togo to be the true hero & should had been immortalized with a statue in Central Park. Also, I hate the fact that the movie makes it look like the human mushers were mostly unconscious, incapacitated or inadequate, the whole time, as if it was the dogs that was leading the way. In truth, people like Gunnar Kaasen, Leonhard Seppala, Bill Shannon, Edgar Kalland, Jack Nicolai, Myles Gonangnan, Henry Ivanoff, and others, deserve credit as well. They made life threatens, decisions in the way, they travel, often changing paths. Some of them, lost dogs, and nearly lose their hands to frostbite, because of the dangerous journey. Another thing, I have to criticize about the film is it's out of place & over the top, predictable villain in Steele (Voiced by Jim Cummings) who Balto (Voiced by Kevin Bacon) have to fight with. I felt the movie didn't one. After all, man vs nature is already a very good conflict. His presence was really, jarring. I don't get, how he was able to get ahead of the race team and ruin the markings of the tree, after being lost, with them, only a few minutes, earlier. It just doesn't add up. Why, don't they just use, their nose in the first place!? Not all changes that the screenwriters, Cliff Ruby, Elana Lesser, David Steven Cohen & Roger S. H. Schulman were bad. I kinda like the idea of the film portray Balto as a gray outcast street wolf-dog, rather than a pure bred Siberian husky. It adds to the idea of being isolated, because people fear him as a dangerous wild animal. I love that he is looking for a chance to fit in and proving to his peers that he is capable for compassion. I also didn't mind, all the obstacles that he had to go through on his journey; even if some of them, don't make sense, like the bear sequence. Aren't they, supposed to be hibernation? Anyways, all the action scenes were all intense and help make the film, a little more compelling than what it original could had been. I also didn't mind, the illogical, weird editing of live action modern-day narrative with the animation flashbacks sequences; as it adds to the tone, of a parent reading their children, a kid friendly's fairy tale version of real-events. Even the dialogue scenes with the dogs talking, while the humans not understanding the animals, wasn't much of a problem for me; as the dogs don't really say much. Plus, I saw this, play out, in many traditional dog related Disney animation films before, such as 1955's 'Lady & the Tramp' & 1961's '101 Dalmatians'. In truth, the voice acting for the dogs weren't that bad. The voice acting for the other animals were little more questionable, like Bob Hoskins as Boris, the goose and singer Phil Collins, as sidekicks Polar Bears, Muk & Luk. They could be a bit annoying, at times. Still, for the most part, they were there for some good laughs, which, they delivered on. I also dig, the music from composer, James Horner. Overall: I wish more people went to go see 'Balto' at the time. While not an outright bomb, it didn't turn a profit, due to new-kid-on-the-block Pixar releasing 'Toy Story'; which slaughtered this film at the box office. Some animation fans consider it to be the first sign of CGI eventually overthrowing traditional animation. It's sad, because the animation was honestly pretty good for Amblimation film. Sadly, the studio close its doors after only three films, as most of the staff would migrate over to Dreamworks Animation for 1998's 'The Prince of Egypt'. In the end, while it's not the most heart feel or entertaining, animated movie out there, Balto is still worth watching. It's engaging and very though-provoking. While, you can't teach an old dog, new tricks. You can still teach your children to grasp complex social issues, while showing them, great examples of honor, duty, self-sacrifice, humility, & dedication in the face of fear, with Balto. It's a must-watch.
NateWatchesCoolMovies
Anyone remember Balto? I remember Balto. Pepperidge Farm remembers Balto too. How can you not, when it was one of the most charming, beautifully done non Disney animation films we saw as kids. I think the fact that it was not made by Disney threw it into obscurity a bit, but there's the odd copy floating around out there in the Arctic snow. It's an underdog story (built in pun there eh) about half husky, half wolf Balto (Kevin Bacon having a blast) who hangs around Nome, Alaska and is ridiculed by the local sled dogs for being a mud-blood. Every dog has his day though, and Balto gets his when a deadly epidemic breaks out in town during a storm, and he courageously volunteers to make the perilous journey to a far away outpost that has the required medicine. Joining him are his lovable goofy goose friend Boris (Bob Hoskins trading in his jovial cockney accent for a jovial Russian accent), ant two adorable polar bears called Muk and Luk. Watching out for him is the only purebred dog in town who cares about him, Jenna the husky (Bridget Fonda), determined to muster a rescue party when he gets in over his head. Balto must brave raging blizzards, treacherous fellow sled dogs and the world's biggest grizzly bear (seriously that thing is like 15 feet tall) to save the town's population, and he does it all with bravery, charisma and a winning attitude that's essential in any animated film. His sidekicks are endearing, his efforts intrepid and the film a winner.
Dr_Wesker
This movie's rating on IMDb is far too low. I didn't know this movie was so underrated.When it comes to animated movies, Disney is at the top of the food chain and Pixar comes in at a close second. So it's amazing that this non-Disney, animated film surpasses even some Disney movies -- I don't count the movies like High School Musical. Current Disney is trash aside from some good work like Tangled and Princess And The Frog. - -.-- This is the section where there are possible spoilers. Read at your own risk --The story is told by Rosy, all grown up and with a granddaughter. From there the animation takes over. Balto, whose mother was a wolf and father a dog, was an outcast among not only dogs but also humans. Due to his half wolf heritage he was thought to be wild with the humans, and most of the dogs thought he was beneath them for being only half dog and a stray. Enter Jenna. Kind and caring to all, even to Steele even though he didn't deserve it. She gave him hope that acceptance wasn't as scarce and limited to two polar bears and a goose.However, his luck changes for the better-- giving him a chance to prove himself to not only the dogs but to the humans as well. The town is hit by an epidemic of diphtheria. And, due to the snow, the medicine is delayed on all modern forms of transportation. The town has little option left and decides to send in the best sledding team to retrieve it from the last layover. Balto was not picked, obviously, but after the team leaves he sets off to find them because a huge snow storm is approaching.-- End of possible spoilers --I won't go any further, or I'd risk truly spoiling it for anyone who hasn't seen it yet but is looking it up on IMDb to see if it's worth watching.This movie will always have a special place in my heart. The story has all the elements it needs. Drama, conflict, romance, etc.The cast selected to VA was amazingly picked. Kevin Bacon did a wonderful job, as did Bridget Fonda, Bob Hoskins, Jim Cummings an Phil Collins. And the score was excellent. James Horner is a master composer, his work with Titanic is one of his most popular works, it's a shame that this one isn't for it is on equal ground... at least in my opinion.There you have it. Great animation, a interesting and eye catching plot, an amazing cast and musical score. Few films, real live action or animated/CGI, can pull off all of them. Balto did. So if you've never seen it, I recommend you do so and don't judge it until you've watched everything start to finish. I'll always have a fondness for it, I hope after seeing it you will too.My rating: 10 Stars out of 10 Stars.
