Take a look at this MUSH (Snow Dogs (DVD))

Member Name: whitby

Product:	Snow Dogs (DVD)
Date:	24/04/03 (197 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Easy to follow plot, Great views of the huskies

Disadvantages: Could be more doggy action

And she waited this long?

Ok! Ok, I know it's probably no surprise to learn that this Siberian Husky owner spent last night watching and re-watching last year's Disney pooch release - Snow Dogs. Out on video in the UK from the 7th October 2002, this film has been on my must see list since I knew it was being produced. Rated PG due to 'mild crude humour', I was left wondering when I missed the innuendo, as the film could easily have been ungraded in my eyes.

There are so few storylines running through the thread of the film, that I'd hate to give any games away. I hope that by introducing the characters to you, you'll build up an idea of what the film is about.


TED BROOKS

Played by Cuba Gooding Junior of Pearl Harbor (Oh the temptation to spell it properly!) and Jerry Maguire, this character reminds me of many played by Eddie Murphy in his heyday. Ted is a dentist who is following in his father's footsteps by earning millions from the folks of Miami, life is good and he drives a lovely (not) green sportscar and sees his pictures on adverts / billboards around the city.

He is forced to stop and take a look at himself when he is summonsed to appear in Tolkenta, Alaska for the reading of his mother's will - Da Da DAAAA! This brings fresh news to Ted that he is adopted, so he heads off to Alaska for some soul searching in the hope of finding out about his parents.

Upon arrival at the quaint but primitive town of Tolketna, he realises that his mother was a sled dog racer in the Arctic Challenge that sets off annually across the snow. His legacy is a team of sled dogs who are only used to having one alpha or dominant leader - Ted's Mum! Will they listen to his commands?


THUNDER JACK

We first meet Jack at the will reading, and we quickly learn that he is not to be messed with; the townsfolk almost seem scared of him! Played brilliantly by Oscar winner James
Coburn, Jack is a loner who has a stereotypical white beard and Eskimo style clothes! Jack also ran the Arctic Challenge year after year - but unlike Ted's mother he normally comes last. His main interest is Ted's legacy. He wants the pack of dogs for himself in the hope that it will see him coming somewhere other than last in the Arctic Challenge.


THE DOGS

The first dog that we meet properly is Nana, a border collie who is full of expression. Then we meet the seven Siberian Huskies who make up the trophy winning team - Demon, Duchess, Diesel, Scooper, Yodel, Sniff and Mack. Although we see some of their antics, the main dog that the film concentrates on is Demon. A beautiful Sibe with two gorgeous blue eyes who feels that he is the alpha male and nobody should boss him around. I laughed when different characters told Ted to bite his ear in order to pull him into line.

The best acting dog is Nana who is obviously very put out that she is never allowed to Mush with the rest of her family - until she gets her chance! I suspect that Nana has acted before whereas the Snow Dogs website says that the Siberians are not acting dogs, but proper sled dogs from Alaska and Canada which would probably explain why we do not see as much of them as the title indicates.


THE FILM

As you could probably guess Ted tries to lead the team of sled dogs and we follow their antics during this period of discovery. It takes us across the cold snowy tundra into encounters with a bear, a skunk and to mountain ledges. These capers provided me with plenty of opportunity to admire the beautiful Huskies and although some of their actions are meant to be humorous, they seem pretty realistic when I compare them to things my two get up to. I watched the film with Tzar and Merlin in the room, and I don't think they were overly impressed!

There is just the one main story running through the film so it was not taxing on the mind a
nd is very easy to watch. As I said earlier it was extremely reminiscent of Eddie Murphy films - flash loud-mouthed guy put into a situation outside of his normal activities.


CONCLUSION

The film lasts for just over ninety minutes, and not once did I find myself checking the video recorder to see how long we had left to run. Whilst Tzar and Merlin weren't particularly enthused, I would watch it again if only to see the beautiful dogs. A good film that would be great for children to watch, although please don't expect lot's of doggy antics as there are very few. I am normally not a comedy fan, but must admit that I did laugh in a few places, so it can't have been all bad.

Will I be buying a copy?

YES!!!

But only because I'm a Siberian Husky Nut - wouldn't otherwise!





disney.go.com/disneypictures/snowdogs/index.ht ml

Summary: