I am saddened by the low critical review of this film. On our local NPR station there was an interview with a historian who indicated that "Great Alaskan Race", while lower budget, was much more accurate, than the Disney behemoth, 'Togo."
Disney in my opinion has a extremely damaging habit of anthropomorphizing animals. The sled dogs in this marathon in fact were not conscious of carrying serum and were not performing any different than had they been on a long distance competitive race. Watch Togo, or for that matter Balto and you'd think the dogs were conscious of their mission. What these dogs are, are amazing athletes, amazing social group/pack on a sled team with driver, and working in conditions that are both extreme and beautiful.
Oh, and sure it was shot in Colorado, one reviewer downgraded the film to a very low score for that. ok, so the budget was probably constrained making that a necessity. But Togo while having some exteriors in Alaska, is also a LOT of blue screen, with special effects on the dogs faces -- that is much more problematic in my view.
Lastly a couple of the professional reviewers denigrated the issue of faith in this film. come on. I am an atheist but that a guy, near 100 years ago, out alone in Alaska at the every edge of survival would be praying isn't offensive to me.
Disney in my opinion has a extremely damaging habit of anthropomorphizing animals. The sled dogs in this marathon in fact were not conscious of carrying serum and were not performing any different than had they been on a long distance competitive race. Watch Togo, or for that matter Balto and you'd think the dogs were conscious of their mission. What these dogs are, are amazing athletes, amazing social group/pack on a sled team with driver, and working in conditions that are both extreme and beautiful.
Oh, and sure it was shot in Colorado, one reviewer downgraded the film to a very low score for that. ok, so the budget was probably constrained making that a necessity. But Togo while having some exteriors in Alaska, is also a LOT of blue screen, with special effects on the dogs faces -- that is much more problematic in my view.
Lastly a couple of the professional reviewers denigrated the issue of faith in this film. come on. I am an atheist but that a guy, near 100 years ago, out alone in Alaska at the every edge of survival would be praying isn't offensive to me.