Critics Not Fair To "The Call Of The Wild"

When the reviews came in for "The Call Of The Wild," audience members seemed to love the movie, while most of the critics couldn't get past the digital effects. Did the dog have expressions that you usually don't get from your own pets? Absolutely! Did Buck (the canine main character in the film) display movements that an actual dog couldn't achieve? Of course! Nonetheless, I found these facts to be part of the charm of the movie! Because I usually go to the movies to see a different kind of film, I am used to some pretty crazy digital effects. However, I loved this movie!

Besides, when pet owners look at their individual dogs, they feel like they have seen emotions from their canine friends even when there is none to be seen. Look at the bright side! At least you know that no animals were harmed during the shooting of this film.

This Jack London classic was definitely more tame than the book, which makes it a perfect choice for parents to bring their kids. Omar Sy as Perrault and Harrison Ford as John Thornton played their supporting actor roles well to Buck. There were other digitally enhanced creatures in the film as well. You couldn't be in the "wild" without them. Many people know the story from reading the book, but I am still not going to give anything major away because there are some differences.

Buck goes through many adventures with a number of owners. Some of them are nice, while some not so much. Buck needs to find his purpose and does. However, he also realizes a life that he couldn't have dreamed of. In a way, Thornton's life is enriched by the eventual companionship of Buck. Buck does appear to be a doggy version of a problem child at the beginning, but like many humans, he just hasn't found himself yet.

One reviewer said that Buck made a house rumble as if he was Godzilla. My take on that is sometimes an event can play out in one's head in a much more exaggerated way than it really happened. Critics, where are your imaginations? Don't let the reviews turn you off to what can be a very enjoyable theatrical experience for you and your family.