Eight Below
Review By: Debra Mireles
Rated: PG (Mild Language and Action)
3.5 of 4 Stars
Starring: Paul Walker, Jason Biggs, Bruce Greenwood, Moon Bloodgood
Directed by: Frank Marshall
Produced by: David Hoberman, Patrick Crowley, Todd Lieberman
Distributor: Walt Disney Pictures
The story starts in the extreme wilderness of Antarctica where we meet Jerry Shepard (Paul
Walker) and his best friend Cooper (Jason Biggs). Jerry works as a survival guide along with
his beloved team of sled dogs. The dogs are very important to Jerry, and his relationship
with them in the movie is one of true friendship. An American geologist named Davis (Bruce
Greenwood) requires Jerry's guide services on a scientific research mission. During the
mission, the sled dogs are heroes — helping Davis survive the rough Antarctic terrain.
Due to a serious storm that blows in, Jerry and Davis are forced to end their mission early
and return to base. The team is forced to leave the sled dogs behind and evacuate,
promising they will return for them as soon as they can.
But as the worst storm in years approaches, cutting off all means of transportation, the dogs
are stranded until spring. Even his love interest, Katie (Moon Bloodgood), who is a pilot,
cannot fly in the harsh weather. These courageous and intelligent dogs must survive in the
harshest winter climates known to man. Jerry is heartbroken and desperately tries to
persuade rescue missions to take him back to his beloved dogs, but six months will pass
before he is back in Antarctica again. Based on an amazing true story, you will find loyalty,
friendship and hope as major elements in this film.
CONTENT OF POSSIBLE CONCERN: The movie begins with the two friends wearing only
shorts and no shirts as they prepare to run out into the cold. The swear word 'hell' is used
four times in the movie. There is a scene where Jerry is drinking a beer and Davis is drinking
scotch. In a bar scene, the waitress tells Jerry a lady has bought him a drink. The violence in
this film is mild, but there is a scene where a leopard seal surprisingly attacks the dogs, and
it would probably be scary for small children. Also, the dangerous rescues are pretty intense.
At the very end of the movie, Jerry gives Katie a very passionate kiss.
CONCLUSION: Eight Below is very mild and not as offensive as many other movies. Overall,
this is a good movie that you and your family can enjoy on the big screen. I loved the
beautiful scenery, including gorgeous snow formations along the mountains. I love animals,
and the scenes of the stranded dogs were done very well. Action and suspense are found
throughout the movie and kept me and my family on the edge of our seats.
I don't recommend Eight Below for younger children (under 5, or according to their maturity
levels), due to the surprise leopard seal attack scene and a couple of other scary rescue
scenes. However, my oldest children ages eight and nine enjoyed the movie.
Violence: Mild / Profanity: Minor / Sex/Nudity: Minor
Review By: Debra Mireles
Rated: PG (Mild Language and Action)
3.5 of 4 Stars
Starring: Paul Walker, Jason Biggs, Bruce Greenwood, Moon Bloodgood
Directed by: Frank Marshall
Produced by: David Hoberman, Patrick Crowley, Todd Lieberman
Distributor: Walt Disney Pictures
The story starts in the extreme wilderness of Antarctica where we meet Jerry Shepard (Paul
Walker) and his best friend Cooper (Jason Biggs). Jerry works as a survival guide along with
his beloved team of sled dogs. The dogs are very important to Jerry, and his relationship
with them in the movie is one of true friendship. An American geologist named Davis (Bruce
Greenwood) requires Jerry's guide services on a scientific research mission. During the
mission, the sled dogs are heroes — helping Davis survive the rough Antarctic terrain.
Due to a serious storm that blows in, Jerry and Davis are forced to end their mission early
and return to base. The team is forced to leave the sled dogs behind and evacuate,
promising they will return for them as soon as they can.
But as the worst storm in years approaches, cutting off all means of transportation, the dogs
are stranded until spring. Even his love interest, Katie (Moon Bloodgood), who is a pilot,
cannot fly in the harsh weather. These courageous and intelligent dogs must survive in the
harshest winter climates known to man. Jerry is heartbroken and desperately tries to
persuade rescue missions to take him back to his beloved dogs, but six months will pass
before he is back in Antarctica again. Based on an amazing true story, you will find loyalty,
friendship and hope as major elements in this film.
CONTENT OF POSSIBLE CONCERN: The movie begins with the two friends wearing only
shorts and no shirts as they prepare to run out into the cold. The swear word 'hell' is used
four times in the movie. There is a scene where Jerry is drinking a beer and Davis is drinking
scotch. In a bar scene, the waitress tells Jerry a lady has bought him a drink. The violence in
this film is mild, but there is a scene where a leopard seal surprisingly attacks the dogs, and
it would probably be scary for small children. Also, the dangerous rescues are pretty intense.
At the very end of the movie, Jerry gives Katie a very passionate kiss.
CONCLUSION: Eight Below is very mild and not as offensive as many other movies. Overall,
this is a good movie that you and your family can enjoy on the big screen. I loved the
beautiful scenery, including gorgeous snow formations along the mountains. I love animals,
and the scenes of the stranded dogs were done very well. Action and suspense are found
throughout the movie and kept me and my family on the edge of our seats.
I don't recommend Eight Below for younger children (under 5, or according to their maturity
levels), due to the surprise leopard seal attack scene and a couple of other scary rescue
scenes. However, my oldest children ages eight and nine enjoyed the movie.
Violence: Mild / Profanity: Minor / Sex/Nudity: Minor
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