The Call of the Wild

 Director Chris Sanders’ The Call of the Wild is the thrilling adventure of an initially rowdy dog named Buck and his transformation, when he is kidnapped and finds from his California home and finds himself in the Alaskan Yukon.

Sold to a mail delivery service that uses sled dogs, Buck discovers what it’s like to be part of a pack and, eventually, his ability to lead.

His adventures lead him to bonding with and following a man (Harrison Ford), who, saddened over the death of his son, has come to the Yukon to grieve.

Based on a 1903 Jack London tale, this is a wonderful story of man and beast coming together and learning from each other.   

The visual effects and animation technology that brings Buck, his pack, the wolves and other animals into being are simply astounding.

I give The Call of the Wild a 4.5 out of 5.

Sonic the Hedgehog

Director Jeff Fowler’s Sonic the Hedgehog sparkles with fun for young and old.

Sonic (v, of Ben Schwartz), the solar system’s speediest hedgehog, has used one of his magic rings to come to Earth to escape his loneliness. 

He lands in a small town where Tom Wachowski (James Marsden) is the sheriff and begins to spy on Tom’s life until he is discovered and a reluctant bond is formed between the two.

Unfortunately, Sonic’s energy is picked up by the evil inventor Dr. Robotnik (James Carrey), who tracks him to the sheriff’s home, precipitating a chase that ends up in San Francisco.

The Sonic character is totally lovable and Marsden provides an amiable foil for the creature’s antics.  Carrey adds over-the-top entertainment as their nemesis.

I give Sonic the Hedgehog a 4 out of 5.

Fantasy Island

 

The less said of Writer/Producer/Director Jeff Wadlow’s Fantasy Island the better…except that its Lucy Hale’s character Melanie that “did it.”

There…I’ve just saved you the price of a ticket and a boring time.

I give Fantasy Island a 2 out of 5.