Alpha

This is a ripping good adventure yarn with memorable visuals and an original premise and feel. Alpha presents a plausible take on the origins of the human-canine bond -- but more importantly, it's an absorbing survival tale with an appealing main character and a wolf that everyone will root for. Albert Hughes, directing without his brother Allen for the first time, uses extensive CGI to create a prehistoric setting that's simultaneously familiar and unfamiliar, primal and fantastic. And McPhee is a remarkably sympathetic actor. As Keda, his courage and drive are entirely believable. Perhaps more importantly, so is his empathy -- you sees how this particular Cro-Magnon teen might have mercy on a wounded predator, then be receptive to allying with it. His performance is simple and grounded. You completely buy him speaking the film's invented language and enduring all the trials he faces with his wolf friend.

That said, authenticity isn't the key here. It's not a documentary; it's a boy-and-his-dog survival adventure, and it's plenty involving on that score. Jóhannesson, as the father, is also quite good. So are all the other humans, really. But Alpha is ultimately all about Keda and Alpha. Dog lovers will be all over this movie, and as long as younger viewers can handle the intensity of the peril, families will enjoy it too.