The Great Alaskan Race

Based on an incredible true story, the movie features an amazing cast and stunning visuals, but the script is poor with clipped, predictable dialogue and choppy scene transitions. It's almost like they chopped up a two and a half hour epic to fit into a 90 minute time slot. Brian Presley is beautiful and rugged and portrays the anguish of loss well, but it seems he was too busy writing to direct, too busy directing to act, and too busy acting to write. It was a definite positive to include the native Alaskan aspect of the story that is too often ignored in retellings. I really wanted to like this movie. The story of men and dogs braving the weather and treacherous terrain to deliver medicine and avoid a disastrous epidemic is thrilling and uplifting, but the movie just has too many issues.

Just watch Togo with Willem Dafoe. I expect they put cheap knockoffs like this out because they know people will get confused and pay to watch the wrong movie.

I loved Balto but this movie gives you even more of the back story. A touching film of what parents will do to save their kids. I knew how it ended but I was still on the edge of my seat.

For a lifelong Alaskan who grew up in mushing circles, this movie was a disappointment. Superficial coverage, with jarring incongruities (CO landscape, stone cabin, plastic sled runners, a light-colored Togo, etc), left me wishing Hollywood would depict Alaska accurately by filming on location, or at least consulting for authenticity. The historic photos at the end were the best part, however, credit given to all 20 mushers by name would have been appreciated.

I really enjoyed this film. The acting was good and the scenery beautiful and it is based on a true story.