In his novel “White Fang,” Jack London describes his title hero as “intelligent beyond the average of his kind,” and yet the celebrated American author took great pains to make sure nothing about the actions of his legendary wolfdog — in his treacherous, human-influenced journey from wild to civilization — felt out of sync for an animal.
And that’s not a bad way to approach the new animated adaptation of London’s 1906 classic. It’s better than your typical kiddie flick, often gorgeous to behold in its exquisitely painted Yukon wilderness and fierce, majestic canine protagonist.
But in its zeal to conform elements of London’s grim story into a tidy narrative of good nature versus bad nature, and despite an ending that reflects a more enlightened view toward the proper treatment of wild animals, this “Fang” has a tendency to feel more artistically tame than aesthetically free.
Nevertheless, as a sincere reimagining of London’s survival saga, it should make for a satisfying night out for any moviegoing family looking to enjoy something animated, classic and featuring animals that isn’t simultaneously an exercise in attention-deficit management, cartoony action and one-liners. The old-fashioned tone of picturesque beauty and coming-of-age adventure even lends one to believe that Spanish-Luxembourgian director Alexandre Espigares, spearheading his first feature since winning the 2013 animated short Oscar for the steampunk-themed pet story “Mr. Hublot,” has perhaps crafted the best episode of “The Wonderful World of Disney” the Mouse House never actually made. (And Disney did release their own live action “White Fang” in 1991, starring Ethan Hawke.)
After a prologue at a mining-town dogfight that’s really a flash forward to a low point in White Fang’s life, the story dawns on a cave occupied by a protective she-wolf and her curious pup. It’s in these early scenes of rearing and minor peril that Espigares and his animators establish their bona fides depicting creatures and nature with a fuzzy/warm faithfulness that favors rigorous point of view and believable movement over outlandish expressionism or visual tricks. It gives a fight with a bobcat a surprisingly nervy tension, and the tenderness between mother and son, especially when the former is wounded, becomes nicely understated.
Humans enter the picture when, in a quest for food, mom interrupts feeding time for a dog sled team transporting a hulking prisoner under the custody of U.S. Marshal Weedon Scott (voiced in the English-language version by Nick Offerman). Pup and Scott make meaningful eye contact before the action moves to a tribe of Gwich’in fur traders.
Village head Grey Beaver (Eddie Spears), wise to the growing, eager wolfdog in his midst, names him White Fang and decides to turn him into a world-class sled dog leader. By the time the pair reach the bustling town of Fort Yukon, so Grey Beaver can sell mittens to buy land for his people, he and White Fang are as much simpatico besties as master and animal.
But cruelty and avarice await in the form of the misshapen, cane-wielding trader Beauty Smith (Paul Giamatti), who sees in Fang a killer he can make money with, and in Grey Beaver a vulnerable mark. The rest of the movie pits Smith and his dog fighting interests against the savior-like return of Marshal Scott. Rescued from an existence as a beaten savage, Fang is introduced to a calmer, more task-oriented life as a peaceful farm dog under the Marshal and his wife Maggie (Rashida Jones).
As a four-legged star who goes from scrappy pup to faithful companion, White Fang is always a compellingly textured lead, with only his honey-colored eyes suggesting a soulfulness beyond the mere animalistic; as animated creatures go, it’s an extra fine achievement in realism with just a tinge of the fictionally charismatic.
That’s why it’s such a shame that the humans in the movie — initially filmed using motion-captured actors — are rendered onscreen with a regrettably half-stylized, half-lifelike stiffness, like marionettes with hesitant string-pullers. It’s hard not to wish it was the rugged presence of “Parks & Recreation” star Offerman himself — or the physical Spears, Giamatti and Jones in their respective roles, for that matter — rather than the blocky, coarsely-shaded figures we get representing the voices.
Fang is also spared the indignity of the overly simplistic dialogue (“He’ll regret he ever crossed Beauty Smith!”) from screenwriters Dominique Monfery, Philippe Lioret and Serge Frydman. The last act alone, when every introduced villain makes a reappearance, is a thudding succession of wince-worthy lines seemingly culled from reading material for first graders.
Though the sophistication level of the narrative drops in the last act, Espigares keeps the pacing brisk, and the focus squarely on a vision of the frontier that respects its capacity for old-fashioned exploits and a more Director Alexandre Espigares’ reimagining of “White Fang” respects modern view of humans and animals centered on mutual reverence and appreciation. One imagines even London himself only wincing slightly at the changes to his “White Fang” but generally approving a version that celebrates nature, struggle and hard-won interspecies fellowship.
30 Highest Grossing Animated Movies of All Time Worldwide
A look at top animated moneymakers as of May 2020, from "The Lion King" to "Zootopia." The numbers are not adjusted for inflation.
30. "The Incredibles" (2004)
Worldwide Gross: $633,019,734
In 2004, Brad Bird's first Pixar outing wowed audiences with complicated animated action scenes, cross-generational comedy and superhero mayhem.
Pixar Animation Studios
29. "Sing" (2016)
Worldwide Gross: $634,151,679
Illumination's animal-karaoke musical crooned its way onto the list.
28. "Moana" (2016)
Worldwide Gross: $643,331,111
Disney's Hawaii-set movie scored two Oscar nominations, for Best Animated Feature and Lin-Manuel Miranda's song "How Far I'll Go."
Disney
27. "Big Hero 6" (2014)
Worldwide Gross: $657,818,612
Disney's 2014 robot tale combined anime aesthetics, superhero action and Pixar's heart.
Disney Animation Studios
26. "Ice Age: The Meltdown" (2006)
Worldwide Gross: $660,940,780
Fox's 2006 prehistoric romp proved the success of the first was no fluke.
Twentieth Century Fox
25. "Kung Fu Panda 2" (2011)
Worldwide Gross: $665,692,281
With the franchise's skills proven, DreamWorks Animation gave the world another hit of comedy with this animated martial arts sequel in 2011.
Dreamworks Animation Studios
24. "Up" (2009)
Worldwide Gross: $735,099,082
The 2009 fan favorite demonstrated that original ideas with big emotions could make big money.
Pixar Animation Studios
23. "Monsters University" (2013)
Worldwide Gross: $744,229,437
Ten years after the release of "Monsters Inc," Pixar sent fans back to school in a 2013 prequel.
Pixar Animation Studios
22. "Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted" (2012)
Worldwide Gross: $746,921,274
DreamWorks Animation's "Madagascar" series kept the studio afloat with a string of breezy successes, including 2012's third installment.
Dreamworks Animation Studios
21. "Shrek Forever After" (2010)
Worldwide Gross: $752,600,867
The big green ogre's final chapter dropped in 2010.
Dreamworks Animation Studio
20. "Shrek the Third" (2007)
Worldwide Gross: $798,958,162
Made in 2007, this sequel proved there was still some gas left in this fantasy mash-up comedy franchise.
Dreamworks Animation Studio
19. "Coco" (2017)
Worldwide Gross: $807,082,196
Directed by Lee Unkrich, this animated film captured everyone's hearts and even won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature in 2018.
Disney/Pixar
18. "Inside Out" (2015)
Worldwide Gross: $857,611,174
Disney Pixar hit the home run again with this animated feature film about the emotions inside your head, starring Amy Poehler, Mindy Kaling and Bill Hader.
Disney/Pixar
17. "The Secret Life of Pets" (2016)
Worldwide Gross:$875,457,937
Universal/Illumination's story of dogs seeking out adventure while their owners are away charmed its way onto the list.
Profits abound for this 2012 fourth installment in the chilly prehistoric franchise, followed just behind it's predecessor.
Twentieth Century Fox Animation
15."Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs" (2009)
Worldwide Gross: $888,805,671
While other films have made bigger waves in the States, international sales have always returned big money for Fox's "Ice Age" franchise, proven again by the 2009 entry.
Twentieth Century Fox Animation
14. "Shrek 2" (2004)
Worldwide Gross: $919,838,758
DreamWorks Animation proved to be worthy Pixar competition with its successful "Shrek" franchise.
Dreamworks Animation Studio
13. "Finding Nemo" (2003)
Worldwide Gross: $940,335,536
"Finding Nemo" was something of a second-wind for Pixar, solidifying the company's place as the titans of modern animation.
Pixar Studios
12. "The Lion King" (1994)
Worldwide Gross: $968,483,777
Can you feel the love tonight for this Disney animated classic?
Disney Animation Studios
11. "Despicable Me 2" (2013)
Worldwide Gross: $970,761,885
Illumination's sequel managed to make more money than its predecessor and put the upcoming "Minions" spin-off into motion.
Illumination Studios
10. "Zootopia" (2016)
Worldwide Gross: $1,023,784,195
Disney charmed audiences in 2016 with its cop thriller pairing a rookie rabbit cop and a wily fox informant.
Disney
9. "Finding Dory" (2016)
Worldwide Gross: $1,028,570,889
The sequel to "Finding Nemo" swam right back into audience's hearts.
Pixar
8. "Despicable Me 3" (2017)
Worldwide Gross: $1,034,799,409
Illumination's follow-up -- featuring Gru's blond-haired brother -- became the franchise's biggest grosser.
7. "Toy Story 3" (2010)
Worldwide Gross: $1,066,969,703
Built on Pixar's critical and commercial goodwill, the third installment in the mega-franchise brought in big profits.
Pixar Studios
6. "Toy Story 4" (2019)
Worldwide Gross: $1,073,394,593
Nearly two decades after the last film, Woody and Buzz and the gang returned for the top-grossing film in the series (not adjusted for inflation, that is).
Disney
5. "Minions" (2015)
Worldwide Gross: $1,159,398,397
The little yellow helpers crossed the $1 billion mark at the end of August, raking in more money then "Despicable Me" and "Despicable Me 2" for Universal Pictures.
Universal Pictures/Illumination Entertainment
4. "Incredibles 2" (2018)
Worldwide Gross: $1,242,805,359
The superpowered family sprung back into action a full 14 years after the original -- but far surpassed the original film's box office haul.
Disney/Pixar
3. "Frozen" (2013)
Worldwide Gross: $1,276,480,335
Disney's 2013 smash-hit takes the box office top spot. And then there was merchandising, video on demand and home video that audiences just couldn't let go...
Disney Animation Studios
2. "Frozen II" (2019)
Worldwide Gross: $1,450,026,933
Though it failed to garner an Oscar nom for Best Animated Feature, this sequel still managed to outgross its predecessor.
1. The Lion King (2019)
Worldwide Gross: $1,631,724,000
Whether the film is animated or live-action has been up for debate, the new "Lion King" was computer animated, so we're putting it on the list.
Disney
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Cartoon characters that cleaned up at the global box office, from ”The Lion King“ to ”Incredibles 2“
A look at top animated moneymakers as of May 2020, from "The Lion King" to "Zootopia." The numbers are not adjusted for inflation.