Call of the Wild (2009)

46% of users liked it
(153 ratings)

Independent filmmaker Richard Gabai gives Jack London's literary classic a modern-day makeover with this family-friendly adventure. Nine-year-old city girl Ryan (Ariel Gade) is visiting her grandpa (Christopher Lloyd) in Montana and lamenting the lack of shopping malls when she befriends a wounded… More Independent filmmaker Richard Gabai gives Jack London's literary classic a modern-day makeover with this family-friendly adventure. Nine-year-old city girl Ryan (Ariel Gade) is visiting her grandpa (Christopher Lloyd) in Montana and lamenting the lack of shopping malls when she befriends a wounded wild dog and names it Buck. As the annual sledding race draws near, Ryan and her new friends begin training Buck for the big day in hopes that he can win the gold. Can Buck's wild spirit be tamed in time for the race, or is he more comfortable out in the wilderness, running free with his four-legged friends? Veronica Cartwright, Timothy Bottoms, and Joyce DeWitt co-star. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 27 min.
Directed By: Richard Gabai
Written By: Leland Douglas, Jack London
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Kids & Family

In Theaters: Jun 12, 2009 Limited
On DVD: Dec 22, 2009
Studio: Vivendi Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Rob Nelson, Variety
Alternately jerking the audience's tears and splashing snow in their faces, 3-D indie Call of the Wild loses focus (literally) but gets by on its good-hearted demeanor.
S. Jhoanna Robledo, Common Sense Media
Dog-centric adventure drama is age-appropriate but blan
Chris Hewitt (St. Paul), St. Paul Pioneer Press
Although Call of the Wild would have been a dime a dozen in a previous era, right now, it's so old it feels new again.
Jeff Vice, Deseret News, Salt Lake City
Even comparing itself to the beloved book makes this clunky and supposedly family-friendly drama seem worse than it already is.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Deb S

A 10 year old girl is visiting her grandfather who reads the classic novel "Call of the Wild" to her every night. They find a wounded wolf/dog, and nurse him back to good health and try to keep it but Buck is wild at heart and yearns for the wilderness. Great scenery and… More
A 10 year old girl is visiting her grandfather who reads the classic novel "Call of the Wild" to her every night. They find a wounded wolf/dog, and nurse him back to good health and try to keep it but Buck is wild at heart and yearns for the wilderness. Great scenery and there is even a dog sled race. Will he stay or return to the wilderness? Watch and find out.