Balto (Review)
Michael Scott
The 90s was a great decade for animated films. And Balto is no exception. fueled in-part thanks to the Disney revival of the era, focus on telling a true-hero story was back.
Balto, released in 1995, told the story of a hated street dog in Alaska that overcame all odds to deliver a diphtheria antitoxin through a blizzard to save some kids and show that regardless of one's family, anyone can be a hero.
While technically based on a true story, the movie tells a different one. Big picture wise, the movie is pretty similar. But there were some differences. In the movie Balto is a street dog, technically a wolf-dog hybrid, which is the reason for him being so disliked by the townspeople, and the other dogs. In real life, this wasn't the case.
But honestly I think that's where the strength of the movie lies. While not identical, Balto tells a similar story to the legendary Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer. An outcast uses his unique abilities to see a sleigh through a bitter winter storm and save the day.
The bear attack scene is genuinely exciting and the colors on the villain are stark and gorgeous.
The movie is fraught with danger and the likeable characters plus the emphasis on beautiful animation and music gives the film a timeless feeling. From top to bottom, finding legitimate flaws in this movie is challenging. Especially because of how short it is. Coming in at only about an 72 minutes, it's a movie that doesn't waste time with filler or bullshit. Something today's animated movies could learn a thing or two about.
Aw. Doggy love.
You say Lady and the Tramp, I say Balto. Yeah, that's right. This is the real dog romance movie. None of that trash pasta either. Just good ol'fashioned heroics to win that babe.
Anyone who hasn't seen this movie, or heck, if you haven't seen this movie in years do yourself a favor and go watch it. It's on Netflix as we squeak.
And even if you don't, remember we all have a hero inside us, you just have to learn to embrace it and let it run wild.
Watch it with someone you love. Happy Valentine's Day!