Buck, a dog accustomed to a comfortable and peaceful life in California, is abducted and thrust into the harsh Alaskan wilderness as a sled dog. His life undergoes a dramatic transformation, forcing him to discover the resilience within to adapt to his new role and answer the call of the wild.
First published in 1903, Call of the Wild established Jack London’s literary reputation and has been adapted into numerous films. The 1935 version, starring Clarke Gable, remains a notable adaptation. This review, however, will likely not achieve similar acclaim, primarily due to its reliance on Computer Generated Images (CGI).
The film centers on animals and the wilderness, yet almost the entirety of its visual elements are digitally rendered. Buck himself is a completely computer-animated character, resulting in a detached and somewhat sterile viewing experience. While a fully computer-animated film might not be as jarring, the integration of human actors interacting with a CGI creation highlights the artificiality. The actors’ perceived discomfort becomes understandable upon viewing the bonus material, which reveals that they are interacting with actor Terry Notary (The Square, Rise of the Planet of the Apes), clad in pajamas and stilts. While animal safety is paramount, simple actions like lying down, sitting, or eating pose minimal risk. There were opportunities to utilize a real dog in several scenes instead of relying on a 171-centimeter-tall, 51-year-old actor.
This decision appears driven more by expediency than concern for animal welfare. Directing a human actor is undoubtedly less complex than working with a dog, saving considerable time – and, consequently, money. Beyond the computer-animated animals, many scenes in Call of the Wild are entirely digitally constructed. Consequently, the vast landscapes lack authenticity, appearing artificial and unconvincing.
Harrison Ford, thankfully, is not computer-animated and demonstrates that he retains the strength and charisma necessary to portray Indiana Jones. Unfortunately, as previously mentioned, the film struggles to establish a genuine connection between his character and Buck, resulting in a cold, impersonal, and somewhat unengaging narrative.
The Blu-ray release offers the expected high picture quality. A 4K version of Call of the Wild is not currently available in Sweden. The audio quality is acceptable, although the bass response could benefit from greater emphasis. The bonus material is informative and well-produced, avoiding excessive promotional content. However, the filmmakers’ self-congratulatory tone regarding the computer-animated dog contradicts the reservations detailed above.
In conclusion, Call of the Wild possessed the potential to become a modern classic. A more judicious application of available technology could have more effectively conveyed Jack London’s original vision. Another significant issue is the film’s overly sanitized, child-friendly approach, which diminishes the inherent dangers present in the source material. The final rating reflects these shortcomings. The film is salvaged from complete failure by its visual presentation and Harrison Ford’s consistently engaging performance.
