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Eight Below (PG, 2006)

common sense media says

Inspiring story about brave sled dogs.

parents & educators say
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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this film includes some perilous situations for humans (a fall into a crevice and icy water, frostbite and broken limbs) and huskies (they face freezing cold, blizzards, starvation, and predators, with the number of perilous "days on their own" marked by subtitles). The oldest dog must be left behind (sad scene), some dogs are injured and/or die, leaving sad-looking survivors (mournful eyes, nuzzling the dead bodies). One jump scene features a ferocious (animatronic) leopard seal, who leaps out with teeth bared to defend a whale carcass it's been eating. Some gentle romance and a kiss. Some mild language (s-word).

Positive messages: Independent-minded Jerry won't give up on his dogs, and learns to trust his human friends as well.
Violence & scariness: Dogs attacked by leopard seal, dogs must bring down birds to eat; dogs suffer wounded legs/paws and die from cold and starvation; Davis falls through ice and must be pulled out, half-frozen; Jerry's frostbitten (blackened) fingers visible.
Sexy stuff: Brief and gentle flirting and eventual kiss.
Language: Mild language (s-word) during harrowing circumstances.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Characters meet in a bar.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on Eight Below

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about the loyalty between Jerry and his dogs: While other people think he goes too far, he sees the huskies as family members. How does the movie make the dogs seem like people, with the help of soundtrack music and close-ups to show "expressive" faces?

What's the story?

What's the story?
In EIGHT BELOW, scientist Davis McLaren (Bruce Greenwood) arrives in Antarctica in search of a meteorite and embarks on an excursion led by guide Jerry (Paul Walker). Also on the trip are Jerry's team of eight sled dogs and his human pal Cooper ( Jason Biggs ). When Davis falls into freezing water, the team has to rush him back to base. Then a powerful storm hits, and the guys must fly off and leave the dogs behind. Jerry is half delirious from his ordeal, unaware that they won't be able to come right back to retrieve his "family." And so the dogs' adventure begins. They must break loose from their tether, find food and shelter during the storm, and face down a fierce leopard seal. This goes on for some 175 days, while Jerry, stuck back in the States, looks for funding and means to get back to Antarctica to save them.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
The dogs in Eight Below are excellent -- courageous, expressive, smart, and adorable. Their human costars? Well, they're okay too. But however regular Jerry's story may be, whenever the movie turns back to the dogs, it pulses with a terrific vigor.

Early scenes of their trek are gorgeous, the dogs running along through a grand landscape, tiny but still vibrant as they seem in tune with their environment. From the gallant elder dog Jack to the new kid Max (with striking blue eyes) to the gallant only female Maya, the dogs are completely winning, their efforts to look out for each other are inspiring, and their wonderful faces enchanting.

Movie themes & details

Themes
adventures
Movie Details
Studio: Buena Vista
Director: Frank Marshall
Cast: Bruce Greenwood, Moon Bloodgood, Paul Walker
Genre: Family and Kids
Run time: 120 minutes
Theatrical release: February 17, 2006
DVD release: June 20, 2006
MPAA Rating: PG
MPAA explanation: some peril and brief mild language
This review was written by Cynthia Fuchs
 
 

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What parents & educators say

11

Most useful reviews by all members

maximillionair ...
teen, 14 years old
 
I LOVE THIS MOVIE
I saw this movie last night with my best friend.We both cried when two dogs died.we both have dogs,(i have a shetland sheepdog, and she has a labradoodle)so it was really sad for us.We we're both suprised when the seal popped out of the whale.I would see this movie one million times.If you havn't seen it SEE IT!!!!!!I give it two thumbs up!
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bethlthomson
adult
 
i cried
My kids love it with those's pretty dogs.
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chicanfrance
adult
 
I Cried!
This was an amazing movie, it was so sad. There were a lot of tearjerker parts in this movie. I think that this movie should have been rated G.
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EverydayJoe
adult
 
A Very Enjoyable Flick
It's been a long time since I've seen a film I didn't have to mentally filter out some of the language, graphic scenes, or sexual content. This show is a winner. It strongly supports the virtues of loyalty and sacrifice too. It made my wife teary-eyed too.
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bubbo
adult
 
Surprisingly Good
I enjoyed Eight Below alot more than I thought I would, it was an interesting and cool movie. Not quite as cute as I expected, either, the leopard seal attack was very intense for a PG rated movie. Good for kids: 9+
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potato
teen, 18 years old
 
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mrblech
adult
 
Cold temperatures, warm emotions
Your basic Disney film about a likable guy, his likable friends, and some very furry heroes. Gratuitous profanity is a silly but minor drawback - it almost should be a "G" movie. There's something for everyone in the family: beautiful nature scenes, some tearjerker moments, some suspense, comic relief, and even a bit of violence (thanks to Mother Nature).
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Mi3
adult
9
 
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DerrickRose1
teen, 16 years old
8
 
My Favorite Movie
The best movie i have ever seen dont listen to common sense it is not at all violent 100 times more inspiring than violent if u have a pet u just think if this happened to your dogs and u got them back
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purplecatroo
adult
 
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MiaGirl
parent
10
 
Very Good but Sad
Great movie for dog lovers but a little sad, some moments could be scary for younger kids as the seal moment is completely unexpected. But overall a good family movie. "Look alive, stay alert."
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ht3696
teen, 15 years old
7
 
love it
gooood movie!!! one use of (H)
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qtnn
parent of 10 and 11 year old
8
 
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Krbbup
adult
17
 
Horrible Tear-Jerker
I purposely did not see this movie in theaters because I knew some of the animals died. My family rented it and I could only watch about thirty minutes of it before I almost cried! I have a very soft spot for animals, so if you can handle seeing mans' best friend left behind to freeze, go right ahead. The story is about a group of people who are scientists studying the weather and climate of Alaska (I think). When a business/scientist comes to the base in search of a guide, the main character sets of with his dogs and the visitor to go and study the land. A horrible accident occures, the man is injured and the main character heads back to base with him and the dogs. Bottom line: all of the people get into a helicopter (to get the injured man to a hospitail) and leaves the dogs during an ice storm. This is where I stopped, so I do not know what happens after this. I personally would NOT recommend this movie to anyone who cares about animals or who cries easily.
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momrowley
adult
 
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navy62
adult
 
A real nail biter!
What a great movie! My husband and I took our 2 kids to see this movie. (They are 8 and 10.) It was action packed almost the entire time. The dogs are adorable and it was hard to see them in peril. It was good to see the dogs work together to get out of tough situations. Being an animal lover, it was hard to watch Jerry leave his dogs! He does eventually get back to them, but it takes quite a while. That is a great moment! I would recommend this movie for kids 8 and up. It might be too involved for kids any younger. It definitely isn't your typical 'kid' movie.
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funnky face
parent
12
 
the good movie ever
i think it is a good movie
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Eragonopotter
teen, 13 years old
6
 
Very good movie!
know your child because there is scary moments. My brothers watched the movie with me and it thy are both 6. One of them was not even scared, but the other cried and ran away at the moment where the leopard seal suddenly attacked
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fireech
adult
 
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DOGLOVER9111
kid, 11 years old
8
 
Eight Below
I really enjoy this movie. I remember the first time I watched it though the leopard seal FREAKED ME OUT! It just JUMPS out at ANY second when you're not expecting it! But a great movie! :)
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