Alaska (1996)

18% of critics liked it
(11 reviews)
50% of users liked it
(9,962 ratings)

Widower Jake Barnes (Dirk Benedict) moves with his daughter and son to a fishing village in Alaska, and earns his keep as a bush pilot by ferrying supplies to remote locations throughout the state. While the daughter loves her new home, the son cannot stand it, and is impatiently waiting until he is… More Widower Jake Barnes (Dirk Benedict) moves with his daughter and son to a fishing village in Alaska, and earns his keep as a bush pilot by ferrying supplies to remote locations throughout the state. While the daughter loves her new home, the son cannot stand it, and is impatiently waiting until he is grown up enough to move away. However, they join forces to look for their father when they learn that he has gone down in an airplane accident. The official search party is called off and Jake is assumed dead, but the children will have none of it, and go off on their own into the Alaskan wilderness. Along the way, they thwart a big-game poacher (Charlton Heston) and his sidekick, and learn about survival in the wilderness. A highlight of the film is its fine footage of wild Alaska. ~ Clarke Fountain, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 49 min.
Directed By: Fraser Clarke Heston, Ben Cardinal
Written By: Andy Burg
Genres: Action & Adventure, Kids & Family

In Theaters: Aug 14, 1996 Wide
On DVD: Sep 3, 2002
Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Emanuel Levy, Variety
Beautiful vistas, Thora Birch and a cute bear can't compensate for the routine story and sloppy direction of this old-fashioned family adventure about the courageous efforts of two children to find their missing father.
Brandon Judell, Critics Inc./America Online
Charlton Heston, though he has saved the Jews and a whole bunch of other distressed folk in the past, along with painting the Sistine Chapel, can't rescue his son's picture.
Jeff Vice, Deseret News, Salt Lake City
Really bad performances, an awful script straight out of a TV movie of the week and one of the least appealing, most irritating young heroes in recent screen history

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Featured Audience Ratings

Jason O

I can't believe that "Alaska" isn't getting better reviews than it is. A movie doesn't have to be one of the best ever to be a great movie. I thought it was a good all around movie. Two teens go on a search for their father after his plane crashes and the… More
I can't believe that "Alaska" isn't getting better reviews than it is. A movie doesn't have to be one of the best ever to be a great movie. I thought it was a good all around movie. Two teens go on a search for their father after his plane crashes and the police show that they're not willing to search for him as much as the kids think they should be. Along the way, the kids run into poachers and they find a friendly polar bear that follows them the rest of the way trying to protect them. They have to find their father and then figure out a way to rescue him. "Alaska" works well as a good adventure movie and it realistically shows family drama at the beginning of the movie. Surprisingly, parts of it such as when the kids are trying to save their dad, are even exciting. All the way through the movie you'll see spectacular scenery, which goes along great with the plot. Myself, I liked "Alaska" and I don't see why a lot of people don't like it that much, except for maybe that they're expecting too much from the movie. Just don't watch "Alaska" and expect it to be like a movie blockbuster, just watch it like it's a regular Tv movie, and you should like it pretty well. I recommend this movie for anybody. NOTE: That was my Amazon review from the year 2000. Can't say I remember much about this movie now, but I'd love to see it again.
xGary X

Charlton Heston slums it as a poacher in this wilderness nonsense that sees a pair of american brats climb up and down mountainsides in between bouts of utterly contrived "suspense". They are helped along the way by a friendly polar bear, which are always handy to have… More
Charlton Heston slums it as a poacher in this wilderness nonsense that sees a pair of american brats climb up and down mountainsides in between bouts of utterly contrived "suspense". They are helped along the way by a friendly polar bear, which are always handy to have around. If they fell in the sea, I presume they'd be saved by a shark who does some volunteer work for the samaritans on the side. Or a box jellyfish with a heart of gold...
Sunil J

A sweet survival movie that strengthen a brother and sister's relationship.
Sarah B

Gorgeous looking kids film, set in breathtaking scenery.