Balto (1995)

Well, this movie was released when Toy Story was released in 1995. It was very overlooked. I really remember the time in 2000 when I discovered this movie. 5 years had past without notice of the release date of '95. I fell in love with this movie. The acting is good, and plot is okay. Really recommended for a family night. So grab some popcorn, and coke, and get ready for some doggy action, romance, and style. I really can't believe this movie was a hit and miss. A 6.5 rating? Why? That really sucks.

Balto will always be my favorite animated movie ever!

10/10

Fmovies: I have to say when it comes to these based on these sort of 2D animations, I don't usually rate them that high, I've been more of a fan of 3D animation, until Balto.

The film is based on a true story in Alaska, of a cross-breed wolf/husky named Balto (Kevin Bacon), though the town of Nome see him as a threat, because of his wolf characteristics, and lives his life as a stray. He and his good friend Boris get through life day by day, but Balto feels out of place in his life. He's part wolf, but at the same time, he'd love to be part of a sled dog team, always watching with excitement as the sled dog husky teams would shoot by to and from the town, but he knows the town would never accept him.

It is one day when Balto stumbles across a female husky, Jenna (Bridget Fonda), who he really takes a shine to, when his life begins to change. He is confronted by the lead member of the sled dog pack, they very dangerous and aggressive Steele, who doesn't like seeing Balto getting on so well with Jenna (who he secretly fancies himself), and threatens Balto, and getting his pack to do them same (though they have their own views, but would never question Steele, because he is such a brutal looking character). Of course, Jenna hates Steele's ego and finds him too direct and aggressive, and would much rather be with Balto, despite her owners trying to keep her away, as they think Balto might attack her because of his wolf qualities.

The town of Nome becomes victim to a spread of a terrible disease, Diptheria, which takes its toll on many children, including Jenna's best human friend, Rosie. With the medicine beyond reach by most transport modes because of the harsh Alakan climate, the only way to retrieve it is the use of a sled dog team. Upon selecting the team, no doubt about it, Steele is chosen as the pack leader, the town expecting him to make mincemeat of the challenge! However, his ego gets the better of him, and he leads the pack into trouble, with no sight of retuning with the medicine, and lives hanging in the balance. Bato knows how much Rosie means to Jenna, losing her would be devastating, and he knows someone has to do something. Whilst no dog could go after the pack and retrieve the medicine, a dog/wolf just might. It is up to Balto to find the lost sled dog team, and retrieve the medicine that could potentially save a generation.

The animation was fantastic, I loved the way they gave each character a personality, one of my favourites was the smaller dog in the sled pack with the high pitched voice, where another dog kept hitting him on the head whenever he said something he didn't like. That dog was really cute, and turns out to be a real hero in the pack team, despite how the others treat him. They captured Steele's personality brilliantly, that, so so evil look. And the beautiful Jenna, Bridget Fonda and Kevin Bacon do great voiceovers for Balto and Jenna, really bring out the best in them, showing both of these characters as quiet and rather shy, but inside them, they are really powerful spirits.

For me, alongside the fantastic animation and voicerovers, there is one thing as well that makes this such a great film. There is a really strong message that comes through that we can all learn from. You don't have to be the best of your kind to achieve something spectacular in life. Steele was a very strong and muscly dog, with huge teeth and this evil, yet sexy look (that some of the female dogs really liked). The town expected him to complete the task

I can completely understand why people love this movie, because while for me it isn't the greatest animated movie ever(Beauty and the Beast gets that honour I'm afraid), it is a pretty darn good movie. It is certainly quite powerful and ambitious, and there are parts that tug at the heartstrings. The film isn't laden with humour as much as something like The Lion King or Castle of Cagliostro, but with the characters Boris, Muk and Luk it is evident.

The animation is surprisingly detailed. Critics complained of the animation quality being dull and tacky, and when I saw that I thought did we see the same movie. The colours were fine, maybe not the most vibrant colouring in the world like FernGully for instance, but the character animation and the backgrounds are immaculate. The music by James Horner, one of my favourite film composers, is outstanding. Maybe not his finest, as he has done some amazing scores, the one he did for Land Before Time really packs an emotional punch even on repeated viewing, but it is very powerful, poignant and haunting all at the same time and even enhances the drama.

Then there are the characters. Balto is a lovable and handsome dog, and Jenna is so beautiful and headstrong. In contrast, we have Boris who is hilarious and Steele a villain detestable in quite a substantial way. The voice acting is very good, Kevin Bacon while an unlikely choice initially does an above decent job, not monotonic or bland like some other celebrities who have voiced in animated films. Bob Hoskins gives great comic relief as Boris, and Phil Collins is amusing as Muk and Luk. Bridget Fonda does well as Jenna, but I have to say Jim Cummings is absolutely BRILLIANT as Steele; Cummings is a very underrated veteran voice actor, and his malevolent voice over proves what talent as a voice actor he has.

The film does have an engaging, sometimes tense sometimes heartwarming story, and while perhaps in need of a little more humour, the script wasn't actually that bad. All in all, very overlooked as an animated film. 10/10 Bethany Cox

Balto fmovies. Balto & his friends, Boris, Muk, Luk & Jenna are characters to capture the heart. Romance, humour & determination lead us on an epic adventure through the snow. The voicing is excellent and the soundtrack is too. Steele is a good villain. There are some impressive animated sequences especially with the wolves & the bear. An overlooked masterpiece. 10/10

A excellent movie, it is up there with The Secret of NIMH. The animation also is amazing, and the characters really really nice. Also the voices are the best I heard in the animations movie I seen and they really characterize the personage. I couldn't not notice the sweet voice of Jenna and the looks. Very complex and very cute. Also the voice of Boris, one of a kind. The single voice that I remember being so sweet was of Ms. Brisby from the movie, The Secret of NIMH, again a movie with excellent animation and voices. I enjoyed it very much and most surely will watch it again. It just marvelous.

-"Its amazing, fantastic, uber, extraordinary, magnificent, marvelous" -"IT ROCKS!" *BAM* :)

Where can I start? This movie is greatly animated, directed and written. There's no cheesy songs to slow it up or a boring storyline. Every angle that is shown is perfect, every background and colour scheme is great. The music by James Horner is well done and fits the moods of the film. Whether you're a kid or an adult, you will find yourself cheering Balto on.