Customer Reviews

Call of the Wild

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Despite having his name over the title, this is not Jack London's Call of the Wild. This is a completely original story about a young man named Miles Challenger--not a character in the original book. The script incorporates characters and incidents from the book, but the story is totally different. However, taken on its own merits, the film is entertaining. Miles is a character young people can relate to, and the film does offer an interesting look at life up north during the Alaska gold rush. Just don't expect Jack London's story, or you will be disappointed.

In case the other two reviews don't convince you, this has almost nothing to do with Jack London's story. I was thinking as I watched it, "At least they took out the violence so young children can watch it" but then there's the scene with the frozen stiff man, and the drowning in the frozen water scene was pretty bad for little ones, too. Not to mention all the dogs dying left and right.

Don't waste your time.

I wanted to like this movie. I expected to like this movie. But I was disappointed by Call of the Wild.

What Left Me Cold?

The film never drew me in. Most of the actors were clearly acting (and not too well at that) rather than becoming part of a compelling story. Character development was so thin that I never cared much what happened.

While the scenery and photography were stunning, the editing was poor, and the black screen breaks between scenes distracting. Makeup was obvious, such that I saw makeup rather than seeing the ravages of cold.

The relationship between boy and dog was never fully developed. It was there, but emotionless, almost sterile.

Overall, I found the movie flat. I enjoyed the scenery but missed the pull of the original story.

Five stars for photography, one star for editing, one star for story. Average: Two stars.

With all the things that happen the world, it's nice to sit back and watch something that is easy to digest, and takes us back to a simple time.
It may not be "Exactly like Jack London's version" but it was still worth watching for me and my family.
Everyone is a critic now a days, just enjoy a story for what it is, and how it plays out.
I'm 42 and I couldn't wait to get into the next episode! It is worth the time to sit with the family and talk about what went on then.
It's a good time to open talk with the kids and talk about our history, life, and death.
You won't be able to do that over sex in the city, simpsons, or Icarlie now a days.

Jack London certainly knows how to write a book with heart felt love and loyalty. Now to see it as a movie, what outstanding viewing this was. Get the tissues.

This movie was part of a thirteen episode TV series that aired on Animal Planet in 2000. I think this movie was episode 1 in the series. I have only been able to find two of these on DVD, the other being #5. I would like to find the rest.

The menus on the DVD barely work. You usually can't see what's selected, so you have to guess by pressing twice to the right or whatever.

Also, it's not close captioned or subtitled for the hearing impaired, even though the produce information says it is.