Cold conditions warm hearts in Disney's 'Eight Below'
By:DAN BENNETT - Staff Writer | ∞
B "Eight Below"
Starring: Paul Walker, Bruce Greenwood, Moon Bloodgood, Jason Biggs
Director: Frank Marshall
Studio: Walt Disney Pictures
Rated: PG (for some peril and brief mild language)
Running time: 120 minutes
Heroes and dogs and dogs that are heroes ---- what more can you want from a Disney adventure movie?
"Eight Below" delivers on tradition, providing an exciting, feel-good adventure relying on grit and heart rather than special effects and cornball humor. Just make sure you wear a sweater to the theater.
"Eight Below" is based on a true story, a 1957 Japanese expedition to Antarctica that became perilous, and required the temporary abandonment of several brave sled dogs who had to be left behind because of a fierce storm.
The story was made into an extremely popular Japanese film in 1983, now updated. In "Eight Below," Paul Walker plays Jerry, an experienced Antarctic guide and sled-team operator, assigned along with his eight dogs to get geologist Davis (Bruce Greenwood) to a remote location, where he will find and bring home pieces of meteoric rock vital to a better understanding of the universe.
The trip is fraught with the usual perils of Antarctic travel, including potential avalanches, weak ice and other hazards. Jerry, Davis and the dogs work their way through these things, but not before Davis is injured just as the worst blizzard in 25 years approaches.
Following a safe return to camp, all humans at the base are evacuated, but the dogs must be left behind. This doesn't sit well with Jerry, the loyal master who has counted on the dogs to save his skin more than once. He begins a perilous journey to return to camp and rescue the dogs, helped by the brave pilot Katie (Moon Bloodgood).
The dogs, meanwhile, using strength and smarts, are surviving on their own in brutal conditions. The question becomes whether Jerry can reach them before it's too late.
"Eight Below" is icy-cold with a warm heart and a sense of adventure. A throwback to Disney live-action of decades ago, the film teaches as it moves along, and isn't afraid to mix sentiment and loyalty into the mix, alongside heroics. It's a true tall tale allowing us to smile through our shivers.
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Katie wrote on Feb 19, 2006 6:44 PM:What are all the dogs names
June wrote on Feb 22, 2006 4:57 PM:4 are Maya, Max, Jack, and Shadow. I don't remember the other 4's names. Please help
Camilla wrote on Feb 22, 2006 6:34 PM:7 names are Dewey, Truman, Maya, Old Jack, Max, Buck and Shadow. What is the other one
Kohana wrote on Feb 22, 2006 7:16 PM:Maya, Max, Shadow, Jack, Shorty, Dewey, Truman, and one more but I can't remember his name. It was Bu... something. Like Buck or something but I'm not sure if that was his name.
Meg wrote on Feb 23, 2006 5:35 AM:Rusty
Sam wrote on Feb 25, 2006 1:43 PM:the dogs names are definitely Maya (his best girl), Max (the pup who's still in training), Old Jack ( who's ten and ready for retirement),Shorty (the white one),Truman and his twin, Dewey (who has a cut over his left eys because his brother bit him),Shadow (the gray one), and Buck ( the one who loves Cooper)
Sam wrote on Feb 25, 2006 1:48 PM:the names are definitely Buck, Maya, Old Jack, Dewey, Shorty, Max, Shadow, and Truman
rachelle wrote on Mar 6, 2006 9:38 AM:Old Jack is dead...and who is the other one who's dead.
Seraphine wrote on Mar 7, 2006 10:50 AM:The dogs names are: Buck, Maya, Old Jack, Dewey, Shorty, Max, Shadow, and Truman.
Nikki wrote on Apr 8, 2006 7:06 PM:I am almost positive that Dewey is the other dog that dies, I know it's one of the brothers.
Bri wrote on Apr 20, 2006 4:36 PM:Which two dogs die???
Nic wrote on Apr 21, 2006 2:49 PM:Truman and Shadow are twins cause they are both red and shadow has the scar above its eye and it is the one that falls of the cliff.
lai wrote on Apr 23, 2006 5:40 AM:is that really the spelling for maya? isn't it maia? i dunno :P
sarah wrote on Jun 1, 2006 4:45 PM:the dogs names are shadow max shorty maya old jack truman dewey buck and meg rusty no way nic shadow and truman are not twins truman dewey are i wish shawdow max or shorty don`t die
Hannah wrote on Jul 4, 2006 6:28 PM:It seemed that one of the dogs (Dewey?) was stuck on the chain and was left behind, but when Jerry pulled the chain up, all of the dogs were gone. What happened to the dog that couldn't get free of the chain?
Sara wrote on Jul 5, 2006 10:58 PM:There was a dog still on it. The dog was Jack and he was the one he pulled up first (he had been burried), then he found that all the others got away. Truman and Dewey are twins, Nic, Dewey has the scar.
gianna wrote on Aug 23, 2006 10:44 AM:i love this movie soooooooo much! it was the best movie ever...but soooo sad
Hat wrote on Sep 1, 2006 7:47 AM:I spell 'Maya' Maja but i guess theres different ways to spell it.
melissa wrote on Sep 8, 2006 11:04 PM:i think that was a nice and sweet movie because they all took care of each other the best that they could miyas my favorite
ME! wrote on Nov 28, 2006 9:38 AM:The dogs were Maya, Max, Trumen and Dewey(the twins), Shawdow, Old Jack, and Shorty. Old Jack and Dewey die in the end(soo sad).But the others survive. That was the best movie ever.
Funnyperson wrote on Dec 10, 2006 8:39 AM:Maya, Max, Jack, Shadow, Shorty, Truman, Dewy, and Buck are the dogs names
Jena wrote on Mar 24, 2007 10:24 AM:I think that they should have a page on the internet that shows all of the pictures of the dogs labeled with their names. Because I can never figure out which is which.
Jane wrote on May 24, 2007 8:16 AM:This is the best film that i ever watched. I love it so much and where can i find the original one?
Diana wrote on May 31, 2007 6:36 PM:I am confused . I thought the dogs chewed all the collars off all the dogs so they were all free .
kc wrote on Jun 15, 2007 5:02 PM:it was so sad and i feel sorry for old jack because he was left behind and died
YoYoYoYoYoDOG wrote on Jun 21, 2007 6:20 PM:I was totally crying during this movie!! So SAD!!
Andrea wrote on Jun 27, 2007 12:13 PM:Maya,Max,Buck,Dewey,Truman,Old Jack,Shadow,&&Shorty are all of the dogs name:]] I love maya though she is so cute,i would love to have her as me own dog!!
Iza wrote on Jul 17, 2007 8:25 AM:i love the dogs in eight below.. I found myself crying when i was watching.. I love them so much..
Amanda wrote on Jul 24, 2007 6:14 PM:My Faveorite dog in the movie was Maya.
nicole wrote on Aug 12, 2007 3:31 AM:i feel realy sorry for the 1 dog that was left behind and died
Brenna P wrote on Aug 13, 2007 7:14 PM:duz any1 nowe how 2 spell maya? ive got Maya, Maja, Maia. . .?
Samantha wrote on Aug 30, 2007 11:47 AM:I loved this movie it was the best for me!! The dogs names are: Maya the dog leader, Old Jack and he turned ten his ready for retirement, Shorty the with dog, Max the youngest dog, Truman and Dewey that has a scar, and the two Malamutes Buck that loves Cooper, last but not least Shadow the gray dog!! This movie made me crie alot!! But i loved it!!! Thank you for reading it!! Love: Sam
Alicia wrote on Sep 6, 2007 7:08 PM:One of the dogs, old Jack died because he was left on the chain and he was old. The other dog, Dewey was fine but he fell down a hill because the ice he was standing on broke and the fall really hurt him and he just couldn't survive because he was hurt too bad. I hope that answers the person who wanted to know how the other dog died.
Anna wrote on Oct 20, 2007 12:01 PM:anybody should know that the lead dogs name is spelled Maya.one other dog almost died. Maya almost died from the bite from the leopard seal.
Cordelia wrote on Dec 21, 2007 8:02 AM:on wikipedia it said that dewey and truman are the twins
sophie wrote on Dec 22, 2007 1:19 AM:it is so sad i hate the bit were the seal tries 2 get them is maya that dog that is black and white and does not run till the end somebody just like please some 1 answer me
shane wrote on Jan 4, 2008 6:26 AM:the names are maya,max,trueman,shorty,old jack,dewey,buck and shadow dewey and old jack dies
Cindy wrote on Jan 4, 2008 9:37 AM:The Dogs names are:
Truman, Dewey, Maya, Max, Shadow, Old Jack and Buck
olivia wrote on Jan 6, 2008 5:31 PM:The two dogs that die ar Dewey,and old jack and the ones that survived are:
Maya,Shadow,Truman,Max,Buck,and Shorty.
banana wrote on Feb 15, 2008 1:12 PM:I loved this movie do much. I can't believe how strong Jerry was. Every time I saw a picture of all of the dogs together, i started to tear up. We just saw it in school today, but I saw it when it came out at the movies.
Diane wrote on Mar 7, 2008 3:16 PM:I have always been fond of dogs , I think they are the smartest animals ever of course if they are trained right... But when I saw the movie it really Inspired me so much. Made me just appreciate dogs even more. I have to admit I laughed through it and cried even more . : ( I do want to thank you for bringing so much love into my home. God Bless the real dogs that do this job, God watch over them I never seen any movie so real in my heart...
Doglover wrote on Mar 26, 2008 11:08 AM:My favorite dog is Dewey
*crie* but he's die
Max is cute to, and haves blue eyes that is soooo cute
i love that movie so much it's the best movie ever
Nancy wrote on Mar 29, 2008 10:20 PM:My whole life, Wizard of Oz was my very favorite show since I was a little girl. Now since I have gotten hooked on 8 Below, it has gotten right up there wih Wizard of Oz with me. I am glad I have been able to write all their names down now. I am like you, I believe it was Dewey that fell down the hill and died. You can only imagine the amazement I had when I thought I saw Maya's eye move. And also when the dogs and What's his name's eyes all met. The most dramatic ending in the world. Loved it......
Mike wrote on Apr 8, 2008 5:15 AM:I know all the Dogs name from the movie here is the name
1.Maya
2.Shorty
3.Old Jack
4. Mat
5. Truman
6. Buck
7. Shadow
8. Dewey
Here is all the dogs name that i found in the movie, because i loved the movie and i watched it too.
Sarah wrote on Apr 20, 2008 12:46 PM:oh my gosh. this movie made me cry so much. it was so sad when maya broke her leg from the seal and then the other one fell off the cliff when playing with the northern lights. i hated the part when the leopard seal came out of the dead whale. i screamed it was so scary.
Anna wrote on May 9, 2008 9:28 PM:If you watch the movie...the credits spell it Maya. All of the dogs are listed with their screen names and their real names.
angie wrote on Aug 6, 2008 8:37 PM:Hi, im so so two years late, but i never knew how many other inerested people were out there, but everybody has the names of the dogs right, Maya, Ol Jack, Max, Truman, Shadow, Buck, Shorty and Dewey. My sis and I debated over this, so I had to post it. Old Jack hurt his foot at the top of the mountain, but no one was killed at this time. When the plane took off, you can clearly count 8 dogs. He told the commander he left behind 8dogs. There was one dog left on the chain, the one with white and black; dont know the name. On the cliff, one of the brothers got hurt. It looked like one had a scar over his left eye, he is the one who died. (if im correct.) And Maya hurt her leg with the seal, and she survived. That left 7dogs. This was a GREAT movie and Paul Walker is so cutttteeee!!!1
Angie wrote on Aug 6, 2008 9:25 PM:Along with the first comment i posted, I love this show, and i was typing as I was watching, but I never saw the other dog get off the chain. But obviously, he didnt die. When Jer got back, Old Jack's spot was first, but no dog was on the chain. All 7dogs came running back except Maya. But of course she was okay
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