Paramount Pictures
Dan Bennett – Some short getaways involve troublesome interruptions and minor discomfort – delayed flights, hotel rooms without AC – while others are cursed with angry wolves and bears, bad weather, and terrain that is beyond unforgiving.
t’s the latter short-vacay scenario that unfolds in “Heart of the Beast,” a survival story about two best friends in ultra–difficult circumstances.
Retired Army Special Forces officer James Benton, played by Brad Pitt, lives in Alaska with his special service dog Odin, who accompanied him in battle for years. Both have only each other, and both suffer from recurring nightmares generated by the emotional scars of deadly conflict.
For a relaxing overnight escape, James and his three-legged German Shepherd Odin fly their small seaplane to remote Alaska for some camping and fishing.Good times, except the weather is getting wild, so they leave early. The bigger problem, though, is when James suffers a heart attack while flying, and the plane crashes into icy waters. James awakes, miraculously escapes, swims to shore, and finds Odin unconscious but alive.
The duo, experienced in challenges, has never faced one quite like this. They begin a long trek to civilization, encountering danger after danger, including those bears and wolves, and land challenges including nearly impossible passageways. The beauty of the scenery masks its brutal reality.
“Heart of the Beast” is an outdoor adventure thriller with workable suspense, easily able to keep our attention and prompt our surprise. It’s a buddy story, the story of loyalty between two friends, friends determined to keep each other alive.
The film uses special effects to capture some of its most dangerous scenarios, but is filmed for the most part in genuine form, with a shooting location of New Zealand serving as remote Alaska.
Pitt handles his role as well as we would expect from the accomplished actor, but it’s Odin that audiences will talk about afterward. Odin is played by four different dogs – a father dog and his three sons – and he is our clear go-to character.
Pitt handles his role as well as we would expect from the accomplished actor, but it’s Odin that audiences will talk about afterward. Odin is played by four different dogs – a father dog and his three sons – and he is our clear go-to character. “Heart of the Beast“ is a throwback to outdoor adventure movies of yesteryear – gripping, emotional, and eager to tell its story of partnership and loyalty under duress.
“Heart of the Beast” B+
Starring: Brad Pitt, J.K. Simmons
Director: David Ayer
Rated: PG-13 (for violence, peril, bloody images and language)
Runtime: 1 hour, 41 minutes
Now playing in theaters