16 reviews
- katpeterson1
- Feb 24, 2024
- Permalink
I really wanted to like this movie but sadly it was completely impossible! I mean, it tells the story where sled dogs were in the main role, but in this movie the sled dogs are hardly even showed. People are talking more about Togo than actually showing him.
Also the story of Seppala's wife etc are completely different in this movie than in real life. Movie makes drama to there where it wasn't.
Unfortunately watching this was completely waste of time.
I am saddened by the low critical review of this film. On our local NPR station there was an interview with a historian who indicated that "Great Alaskan Race", while lower budget, was much more accurate, than the Disney behemoth, 'Togo."
Disney in my opinion has a extremely damaging habit of anthropomorphizing animals. The sled dogs in this marathon in fact were not conscious of carrying serum and were not performing any different than had they been on a long distance competitive race. Watch Togo, or for that matter Balto and you'd think the dogs were conscious of their mission. What these dogs are, are amazing athletes, amazing social group/pack on a sled team with driver, and working in conditions that are both extreme and beautiful.
Oh, and sure it was shot in Colorado, one reviewer downgraded the film to a very low score for that. ok, so the budget was probably constrained making that a necessity. But Togo while having some exteriors in Alaska, is also a LOT of blue screen, with special effects on the dogs faces -- that is much more problematic in my view.
Lastly a couple of the professional reviewers denigrated the issue of faith in this film. come on. I am an atheist but that a guy, near 100 years ago, out alone in Alaska at the every edge of survival would be praying isn't offensive to me.
Disney in my opinion has a extremely damaging habit of anthropomorphizing animals. The sled dogs in this marathon in fact were not conscious of carrying serum and were not performing any different than had they been on a long distance competitive race. Watch Togo, or for that matter Balto and you'd think the dogs were conscious of their mission. What these dogs are, are amazing athletes, amazing social group/pack on a sled team with driver, and working in conditions that are both extreme and beautiful.
Oh, and sure it was shot in Colorado, one reviewer downgraded the film to a very low score for that. ok, so the budget was probably constrained making that a necessity. But Togo while having some exteriors in Alaska, is also a LOT of blue screen, with special effects on the dogs faces -- that is much more problematic in my view.
Lastly a couple of the professional reviewers denigrated the issue of faith in this film. come on. I am an atheist but that a guy, near 100 years ago, out alone in Alaska at the every edge of survival would be praying isn't offensive to me.
- random-70778
- Jan 29, 2020
- Permalink
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.
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.
- jmcconn189
- Jan 29, 2020
- Permalink
Horrible acting, filmed in Colorado instead of Alaska, no real Inuit actors.
- firestickthatshit
- Jan 31, 2020
- Permalink
Watched TOGO last week...great movie...What movie started in production first ? Terrible acting....nice cinematography....but couldn't get into it at all. Maybe a good Hallmark movie when nothing else is on.
- rotini-52586
- Mar 13, 2020
- Permalink
I was deeply touched with this warm film. The background music is perfectly fit in the story. Its not a commercial film but it tells the story very well. Will watch it again
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.
Literally just read the title...
Then read the title again in case you didn't quite get it the first time...
Then read it one more time to be sure!
1/10
Then read the title again in case you didn't quite get it the first time...
Then read it one more time to be sure!
1/10
- ryan-elliotte
- Jan 29, 2020
- Permalink
Historical accuracy anyone? Tha actual feat of transporting the diphtheria vaccine deserves a far better movie than this piffle. A client made me watch it, is my excuse. If you aren't forced to, don't watch.
- jiballini64
- Aug 10, 2022
- Permalink
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.
- bethlafave
- Oct 26, 2019
- Permalink
This movie is based on true events that happened in Nome, AK at the start of the 20th Century. It was great to hear some of the details I'd not known, such as Togo being the lead dog that travelled the greatest distance of all the teams that traversed the distance and extreme temperatures to get the serum to Nome. The story is more focused on the people than the dogs, which is a nice change (and I love dogs). A very warm, heartfelt story and it's family friendly - a nice bonus! It's not filmed in the Hollywood glossy style but it tells the story it intends. One less star because some of the story comes across a little disjointed.
I really enjoyed this film. The acting was good and the scenery beautiful and it is based on a true story.
- outdoorslass
- Oct 31, 2019
- Permalink