The Call of the Wild
Starring: Harrison Ford, Omar Sy, Dan Stevens, Karen Gillan
Directed By: Chris Sanders
Rated: PG
I’ve grown pretty tired of seeing previews for a million “dog/human adventure stories” that are meant to tug at our heartstrings. A Dog’s Purpose, A Dog’s Journey, A Dog’s Way Home. You get the idea. I love my dog and consider her to be part of the family, but dog movies aren’t my genre. Marley and Me was a traumatic experience, and the idea of a dog dying or being put through any kind of harm on-screen is not my idea of a nice time at the theater. I went to see The Call of the Wild because we are in what is known as the cinematic dead zone. Oscar season is over, and the blockbuster season won’t start until kids go on spring break for school. It’s a wasteland out there, but I still want to see something. My expectations were low. Maybe it’s because I prepared myself for the worst, maybe it’s because I’m desperate for a good movie, but The Call of the Wild is pretty entertaining!
While this is marketed as a Harrison Ford wilderness adventure, it’s the journey of a dog named Buck and his journey through the Yukon in the 1800s. He starts as a pet who is kidnapped and sold, then makes it as a mush dog. If you think there’s something this dog can’t do, you’re probably wrong because he develops Avengers-level superpowers in this movie. I was waiting for Samuel L. Jackson to come on screen and ask him if he’d like to join the Avengers in a post-credit scene. (It didn’t happen, but maybe in the sequel.)
It can take a little time to get used to the CGI effects used to create Buck. At times, his reactions in certain scenes look strangely human. That’s probably because actor Terry Notary is portraying Buck in a motion-capture suit. CGI effects were later utilized to make it look like a real dog. While it takes a few minutes to get used to the CGI, it works fine once the movie starts going. I was quickly drawn into Buck’s journey through the wild. Maybe it’s because I’m a dog person, but I felt so many emotions by just watching the expressions on the dog’s face.
Photo belongs to Searchlight Pictures
Harrison Ford is doing whatever he wants these days. Star in a movie with a CGI dog? Check it off the list! He turns in a good performance here as John Thornton, a man who is haunted by a traumatic family event. John coincidentally crosses paths with Buck many times. After a couple of times, he realized maybe it isn’t a coincidence. The dynamic between John and Buck is charming. He doesn’t consider himself Buck’s owner, but a friend traveling through life with him. The two look out for each other when things get dangerous. Buck is a man’s best friend.
Omar Sy and Cara Gee are charming as Buck’s mush trainers/the mail carriers, Perrault and Francoise. They want the best for their dogs and have a heart for adventure. Their portion of the film reminded me a little of the classic 2002 film Snow Dogs (without the slapstick humor.) If you haven’t seen Snow Dogs, you can stream it on Disney + at any time!
One performance that really took me out of the movie was Dan Stevens as Hal. I’m a huge Downton Abbey fan, so it pains me to say this about the man who once portrayed Matthew Crawley, but his portrayal of the plaid suited, mustache-twirling villain is very one-dimensional. There’s no depth to this character, and he only shows up when the plot demands. I wish the filmmakers could have found something more interesting for him to do.
The scenery is beautiful to watch throughout The Call of the Wild. From the small Yukon towns to the vast Alaskan landscapes, every scene feels like you are a part of the adventure with Buck. Several sequences create a sense of anxiety due to the unpredictability of nature surrounding the characters. Don’t worry; Buck is gonna be the first dog Avenger, so he’s got it handled.
The Call of the Wild is a charming adventure film that will keep you invested in the journey of Buck and John.
My Rating: 7/10