The Call of the Wild (2020)

Lazic finds this a winning adaptation that treats its audience respectfully. She praises the thrilling sled sequences and the film’s direct, dog-centered perspective.

The critic finds the adaptation surprisingly thrilling and emotionally moving despite its softened treatment of the novel’s harsh realities. He praises the spirited CGI-driven movement and Harrison Ford’s vulnerable performance.

Bradshaw finds the film corny but robustly entertaining, with real storytelling bite. He particularly praises its old-fashioned, analogue-hearted adventure despite its CGI animals.

Freer finds it a sentimental, dependable retelling that is entertaining without doing anything radical. He praises the well-mounted set-pieces and Harrison Ford’s grizzled gravitas, while noting that the digital animals can make Buck harder to believe as a real dog.

Gleiberman finds the film increasingly affecting despite its overdone, artificial visual style. He praises Harrison Ford’s soulful, restrained performance for bringing Buck and their friendship to life.

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Walsh finds the film a simple, old-fashioned adventure that is held back by its conspicuously animated dog. She praises the human performances, especially Omar Sy’s warmth and Harrison Ford’s gravelly presence.

The review finds the man-and-CG-dog adventure somewhat lost in the uncanny valley. It praises Harrison Ford’s gruff charisma, while faulting the dog’s artificial appearance.

Mottram finds the film a big-hearted adaptation despite distracting CGI and caricatured performances. He praises the impressive motion-capture and snowy visuals, while noting that the animals do not always look real.

Kohn finds the adaptation a misguided, visually awkward effort that cannot reconcile its CGI dog with the natural world. He praises the icy cinematography and says the dog-focused action sequences are among the film’s most engaging.

O'Sullivan finds the film mild, sappy and frequently ridiculous, though it should please children. She praises Harrison Ford's involving performance and notes some warm acting and neat visual gags.

Shoemaker finds the film disappointing, arguing that its blend of live action and photorealistic animation never quite works. She praises the animated sequences of Buck running through the wilderness, where the format’s possibilities come alive.

Sragow finds the adaptation flimsy and overly familiar. He faults it for playing like a middling live-action Disney movie.

Halligan gives the film a negative verdict, calling this version over-produced. She singles out its excessive CGI as overwhelming the story.

Scheck finds the film overblown and visually disorienting, despite its brisk pace and handsome cinematography. He singles out Harrison Ford’s sensitive, emotionally deep performance as the film’s best feature.

Lane finds the adaptation too softened and its digital Buck not quite credible. He praises Jack London’s novel as ferally fast and lithe, while arguing the film loses its savagery.

Edelstein finds the adaptation weak and fundamentally at odds with the novel’s wildness. He praises Harrison Ford’s naturally surly performance but criticizes the CGI dogs and the film’s sentimental, homogenized tone.

The critic finds the film very entertaining and emotionally affecting. They praise Terry Notary’s motion-capture performance as Buck and its contribution to Harrison Ford’s performance.

Lazic finds the film a thoughtful, celebratory use of CGI that also warns about humanity’s harm to nature. She especially praises how the artificial landscapes convey the beauty and fragility of the wilderness without damaging real terrain.

The review finds the film silly and formulaic but still an enjoyable family adventure. It praises Buck’s endearing personality and Harrison Ford’s lighthearted performance, while criticizing the conspicuous CGI and slow second half.

Bui finds the film heartfelt but ultimately weighed down by uncanny CGI, tonal unevenness, and schmaltz. She praises Harrison Ford’s vulnerable performance and the quiet wilderness passages in the second half.

The critic finds the adaptation slow, emotionless, and unrecognizable as Jack London’s story. The review especially faults the CGI animals, whose dead-eyed look undermines the film’s attempt to portray nature.