It’s 1925, in the small town of Nome, deep in Alaska. Balto, a young half-wolf dog, is rejected by all the residents, and especially by the other dogs, who, despite his certain qualities, do not consider him one of them.
When a terrible diphtheria epidemic rages in the region and a team is formed to brave the icy expanses to bring medicine, Balto has the opportunity to prove his courage and bravery.
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A real little masterpiece
Released in the mid-90s, a time when Disney studios reigned supreme in the animation realm, Balto didn’t immediately impress when it hit theaters.
The third and final feature from the small studio Amblimation (the animation subsidiary of Amblin founded by Steven Spielberg, which had already created Fievel in the Far West, as well as Four Dinosaurs and the Magic Circus), Balto still managed to leave its mark. Over time, his huge features ended up compensating for a poor start at the box office.
Like its hero, who finally manages to join the team as a lead dog through courage and effort, Simon Wells’ film has taken a real place in the hearts of animation fans and, more broadly, in the hearts of all viewers who have given it a face. Simply because, let’s not be afraid to say it, Balto is a real little masterpiece.
A moving true story
With high-quality animation, solid and highly engaging characters (special mention to the wonderful Uncle Boris) and above all a brilliant script inspired by a true story, this excellent feature film manages to bring together all the ingredients that make it. successful competitors.
Humor, emotion, stakes, and a real sense of epicness conveyed in stunning sequences (such as a fight with a grizzly bear or an encounter with a wolf) all serve to create a thrilling quest for courage, bravery, and bravery. Exceeding himself…
If you’ve had the good sense to keep a Balto DVD or old VHS (unfortunately, the film isn’t currently available on streaming platforms), we suggest you take advantage of the end-of-the-year holidays to (re-)discover it. Brilliant history and sharing it.
What will you like…
- The secondary characters of the film, each of whom is more lovable than the other, and in particular the two polar bears Mook and Luke.
- The strength of the story and the main character’s quest is perfectly summed up by this inspiring line from Uncle Boris: “Let me tell you something, Balto. A dog can’t make this journey alone. But maybe a wolf can.”
What could be bothering them…
- A bear that Balto has to meet and who would have nothing to envy to Roxy and Rookie.
- A somewhat severe context, especially related to the diphtheria epidemic.
(re)discover the trailer for the film…
Source: Allocine
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
