Review of Chilly Dogs (2001) by Danielle S — 25 Jul 2008

Ulrich stars as Kevin Manley, a small-town travel agent who has just inherited a whole lot of money from his grandfather. But there's a catch, Kevin must complete a task. We're not talking an easy one like spending millions of dollars in a couple of days á la Richard Pryor in Brewster's Millions.

We're talking dog race, the dog race, the Iditarod. Of course, there has to be a no-good-nick to wreak havoc on Kevin's quest, and since it's in Alaska, which is close to the northern reaches of Canada, who else could you cast but Leslie Neilson, He plays Clive Thornton, a grizzled old man who thinks Kevin's grandfather might have been hiding something.

Kevin of the North initially looks like it might have some potential with the Snow Dogs set; youngsters and warm-hearted folk who like a good, wholesome animal movie. Well, the constant fart jokes, sexual content and racial stereotypes sure wreck that one.

And there are no talking dogs here just mutts and mangy mongrels straight from the pound. Slapstick ensues and the race is on, with the city type trying to make it with the big boys.