Disney continues to shuffle off Fox’s remaining output with this limp, awkward adaptation of the Jack London novel.
Jack London started writing The Call of the Wild at the dawn of the 20th century after traveling through Yukon country during the height of the Gold Rush. It was in this period of blind human ambition and greed that he conceived of a story told through a dog’s eyes. The very good dog, Buck, starts as a civilized house pet before being stolen and sold as a sled dog in Alaska. There he gets passed from owner to owner, some much nicer than others, and along the way discovers that his destiny is not with humans but with the beasts of the wilderness, like his ancestors before him.
It’s a beautifully written and visceral adventure about the brutality of man, the overwhelming power of nature, and the freedom we’re capable of when we turn our back on society’s rules. On the other hand, the new film adaptation of The Call of the Wild has all the thematic weight of an Air Bud sequel.
Director Chris Sanders, who is very accomplished in the world of animated film with credits like How to Train Your Dragon and Lilo & Stitch to his name, finds himself in no man’s land in the world of live-action. In order to really dig into the book’s themes and capture the harrowing journey Buck goes through, it’s necessary to make it a brutal animated movie like Watership Down. But that would be too much for any Disney-owned studio. Instead, we get a very saturated version of the novel that relies on a CGI dog that looks like a reject from Marmaduke.
Understandably, it’s hard to adapt a story that’s written from the POV of a dog. It’s even harder when you choose to not go the route of a talking dog movie. Since we’re not in Buck’s head, we have to either rely on the awful CGI to convey his emotional journey or watch the humans inexplicably give exposition and cliched inspirational monologues to these animals.
There’s a scene where Buck’s first Alaskan owner, Perrault (Omar Sy), stands in front of a map and gives a General Patton-like speech to his fleet of sled dogs, breaking down the exact route they are about to take. It’s one of the many points of the movie that makes you ask, “Wait, is this actually an Air Bud sequel?!” Later, Buck’s new owner, John Thornton (Harrison Ford), also uses a map to break down for Buck—a dog who doesn’t understand the English language—what the next act will be.
Worse yet, Call of the Wild uses Ford as the narrator for large portions, but he narrates with such little enthusiasm it’s like we’re bothering him while he’s grocery shopping. (Did we learn nothing from the theatrical cut of Blade Runner?) He also brings that level of energy to his performance, going through the motions and trying his best not to roll his eyes at what’s happening around him. The film gives his character more backstory than the book by making him a father grieving the death of his son by venturing into the wilderness alone and drinking too much. Buck helps Thornton by hiding his bottle of booze and giving him disapproving glances when he tries to drink again, proving that dogs are Man’s Best Friend as well as great AA sponsors.
The new film adaptation of Call of the Wild has all the thematic weight of an Air Bud sequel.
There’s also the main villain, the literally mustache-twirling Hal (Dan Stevens), who doesn’t appear until the second half of the movie and is forced to be the villain, seemingly to avoid replicating the problematic climax of the book. One has to wonder what movie Stevens thinks he’s in, but with his loud costume and even louder performance, it seems a lot more fun than the one we’re watching.
To add even more to this mind-boggling misfire, along with its good director, great source material, and very capable actors, this film was shot by world-renowned cinematographer and frequent Spielberg collaborator Janusz Kaminski. The Alaskan landscapes are beautifully captured (because the man who shot Saving Private Ryan and Schindler’s List knows what he’s doing). It’s a shame a project with this level of talent involved couldn’t come together to make something worthwhile. It’s also a shame London’s literary classic couldn’t get the film treatment it deserves. Then again, are we still sure this wasn’t actually an Air Bud sequel?
The Call of the Wild mushes its way into theaters February 21.
The Call of the Wild Trailer:
Read next: The Spool's Best New Releases
Streaming guides
The Best Live TV Streaming Services With Free Trial
The praises of live TV streaming services don’t need to be further sung. By now, we all know that compared to clunky, commitment-heavy cable, live TV is cheaper and much easier to manage. But just in case you’re still on the fence about jumping over to the other side, or if you’re just unhappy with ... The Best Live TV Streaming Services With Free Trial
How to Watch Power Book III: Raising Kanan Season 3
Season 3 of the hotly anticipated Power spin-off, Power Book III: Raising Kanan, is arriving on Starz soon, so you know what that means: it’s the ’90s again in The Southside, and we’re back with the Thomas family as they navigate the ins and outs of the criminal underworld they’re helping build. Mekai Curtis is ... How to Watch Power Book III: Raising Kanan Season 3
How to Watch Doctor Who: 60th Anniversary Specials
Ladies and gentlemen, we’re so back! To celebrate Doctor Who’s 60th anniversary, the BBC is producing a three-episode special starring none other than the Tenth/Fourteenth Doctor himself, David Tennant. And to the supreme delight of fans (that would be me, dear reader), the Doctor will be joined by old-time companion Donna Noble (Catherine Tate) and ... How to Watch Doctor Who: 60th Anniversary Specials
Which Netflix Country has Interstellar?
Maybe you’ve just seen Oppenheimer and have the strongest urge to marathon—or more fun yet, rank!—all of Christopher Nolan’s films. Or maybe you’re one of the few who haven’t seen Interstellar yet. If you are, then you should change that immediately; the dystopian epic is one of Nolan’s best, and with that incredible twist in ... Which Netflix Country has Interstellar?
Which Netflix Country Has Each Movie of The Hunger Games?
For whatever reason, The Hunger Games series isn’t available in the same countries around the world. You’ll find the first and second (aka the best) installments in Hong Kong, for instance, but not the third and fourth. It’s a frustrating dilemma, especially if you don’t even have a single entry in your region, which is ... Which Netflix Country Has Each Movie of The Hunger Games?
How to Watch ESPN With A Free Trial
One of the major concerns people have before cutting the cord is potentially losing access to live sports. But the great thing about live TV streaming services is that you never lose that access. Minus the contracts and complications of cable, these streaming services connect you to a host of live channels, including ESPN. So ... How to Watch ESPN With A Free Trial
How to Watch Paramount Network With a Free Trial
To date, Paramount Network has only two original shows on air right now: Yellowstone and Bar Rescue. The network seems to have its hands full with on-demand streaming service Paramount+, which is constantly stacked with a fresh supply of new shows. But Yellowstone and Bar Rescue are so sturdy and expansive that the network doesn’t ... How to Watch Paramount Network With a Free Trial
How to Watch WE TV With a Free Trial
Previously “Women’s Entertainment,” We TV has since rebranded to accurately reflect its name and be a more inclusive lifestyle channel. It’s home to addictive reality gems like Bold and Bougie, Bridezillas, Marriage Boot Camp, and The Untold Stories of Hip Hop. And when it’s not airing original titles, it has on syndicated shows like 9-1-1, ... How to Watch WE TV With a Free Trial
How to Watch TNT Sports With A Free Trial
For many sports fans, TNT is a non-negotiable. It broadcasts NBA, MLB, NHL, college basketball, and All Elite Wrestling matches. And, as a bonus, it also has reruns of shows like Supernatural, Charmed, and NCIS, as well as films like The Avengers, Dune, and Justice League. But while TNT used to be a cable staple, ... How to Watch TNT Sports With A Free Trial
How to Watch Comedy Central With a Free Trial
It’s no coincidence that many of today’s biggest comedians found their footing on Comedy Central: the channel is a bastion of emerging comic talents. It served as a playground for people like Nathan Fielder (Fielder For You), Ilana Glazer and Abbi Jacobson (Broad City), Tim Robinson (Detroiters), and Dave Chappelle (Chappelle’s Show) before they shot ... How to Watch Comedy Central With a Free Trial
How to Watch FX With a Free Trial
You’d be hard-pressed to find a bad show airing on FX. The channel has made a name for itself as a bastion of high-brow TV, along with HBO and AMC. It’s produced shows like Atlanta, Fargo, The Americans, Archer, and more recently, Shogun. But because it’s owned by Disney, it still airs several blockbusters in ... How to Watch FX With a Free Trial