Eight Below

Based on the Japanese blockbuster Nankyoku Monogatari, Eight Below is an engrossing real-life adventure set in the treacherous ice kingdom of Antarctica.

At the film's heart is a simple story of one man's enduring love for eight cute-as-can-be dogs, but Frank Marshall energises the two-hour running time with some well orchestrated set pieces and compelling performances from his four-legged cast.

The huskies don't disappoint, emoting on cue, and howling in grief when a member of their team lays down in the snow for the final time.

Human performers can't compete with the cheeky hounds, but beefcake Paul Walker (The Fast And The Furious) delivers one of his best performances, shedding a tear when he fears he may never see his sled team again.

Intrepid guide Jerry Shepard (Walker), his cartographer best friend Cooper (Biggs) and geologist Davis McClaren (Greenwood) are part of a scientific expedition in Antarctica.

Disaster strikes during a scouting mission to locate a fallen meteorite - there is a freak accident and chances of survival are compromised by the treacherous weather conditions.

The entire research station is forced to evacuate but with so little space on the aircraft flown by Katie (Bloodgood), Jerry has no choice but to leave behind his eight huskies, on the proviso that Katie will fly straight back to collect them.

Unfortunately, the storm increases in ferocity and all flights are grounded, apparently condemning the dogs to a horrific death.

Six months pass and Jerry is tormented by his decision to leave so he resolves to return to Antarctica and pay tribute to his eight friends.

Eight Below may be aimed squarely at a family audience, but this is no saccharine, feelgood fairytale.

Director of photography Don Burgess fills the screen with the vast glaciers of Antarctica, while the huskies melt our hearts with their antics.