Review of Balto (1995) by Jon T — 17 Sep 2009
The third and final feature from Steven Spielberg's short-lived Amblimation Studios in London was this loose adaptation of a true story in which a half-wolf/half-dog proves his worth in 1925 Alaska.
It falls a bit short of classic status, but compared to its previous features (AN AMERICAN TAIL II and WE'RE BACK), BALTO is the best of the three. The animation is gorgeous, the story well told, and the characters are not grating in any way.
There are a couple of slow spots, but sequences such as a fight with a grizzly bear, a skirmish between two dogs, and a climactic escape from rushing snow and falling icicles all make up for that by far.
It is a shame that BALTO isn't much better known; for a non-Disney animated feature from the early '90s (most of which were of variable quality), this is one of the better ones around. Not without its lulls, but still solid entertainment, BALTO is worth a watch.
This review of Balto (1995) was written by Jon T on 17 Sep 2009.
Balto has generally received positive reviews.
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