BY GABY BARBER ’23
Released Feb. 21, “Call of the Wild,” starring Harrison Ford, traces the journey of Buck — a large Saint Bernard — as he and Harrison’s character, John, explore the Alaskan wilderness in the height of the Yukon gold rush. The film is a heartwarming adventure from start to finish; one that beautifully captures the spirit of Jack London’s novel of the same name. While it is rated PG, typically a marker of movies appropriate for younger audiences, I would recommend the movie for any age. It is a compelling tale filled with substance unlike some more artificial movies geared towards children. “Call of the Wild” was an interesting, enjoyable movie that kept me engaged the entire time I was watching.
Harrison Ford plays John, a grieving elderly man seeking to escape his pain through drinking and exploring the Yukon. The sadness his character felt was palpable but not overbearing; his wisdom was apparent but not arrogant and his bravery was great without seeming forced. John is a believable character played well by Ford.
Dan Stevens portrays Hal, a rich man who purchases Buck and his team of sled dogs. At first, Hal is laughable. He wears red plaid from head to toe, talks emphatically and is convinced he is going to find gold wherever he goes The humor quickly dies, however, when he forces Buck and the team to pull him and his companions to the point of exhaustion. Hal slowly evolves from a hopeful but arrogant man in search of gold, to a sinister and malicious prospector. I expected him to be a silly villain, but he was much more serious. As soon as he sheds the red plaid, Hal becomes menacing. Stevens played Hal well, perfectly embodying the fervor of a desperate gold-miner willing to do whatever it takes to profit.
Cara Gee and Omar Sy play Françoise and Perrault, two mail deliverers who distribute letters throughout the Yukon with their trusty dog sled team. The pair have a great dynamic on screen, and many of their interactions with Buck are heartwarming. The two characters exude determination, strength of spirit and joy, creating uplifting messages in the film. Gee and Sy work well together and seem natural on screen.
In the movie, Buck was not played by a real dog, but was computer-generated. Before watching, I was skeptical of this decision on the part of the film makers: CGI can make or break a movie. However, I came to think the decision not to use an animal actor was wise.
There are limitations to what animals can do, and it would have hindered the story to film an actual dog. Buck completes several dangerous acts in the movie, which would have had to be CGI anyway, because it would have been dangerous for a dog to complete.
Additionally, Buck showcases impressive strength, like the demigod version of a dog. It was obvious that Buck was CGI, but so were the other dogs. This consistency in CGI makes the film stronger than it would have been, had the movie switched between animal actors and CGI stunt dogs.
This film is not just another dog movie. Through the journey of Buck, the film portrays human faults, adventures, grief and the strength of both human and animal spirits. “Call of the Wild” has the power to make audiences feel what the characters feel. It is a reminder of the beauty in determination, and that determination is not something only humans possess.