My dog
skip is based on the autobiography of William Meaks Morris who was consulted during the
making of the film and was able to see it prior to its theatrical release and shortly
before he died. Based on my opinion and from what I’ve heard from others who’ve
seen the film I’m sure he would have been very proud.
Willie
Morris (Frankie Muniz) is a small and unpopular boy growing up in Yazoo Mississippi during
WW 2. Willie is quite and intelligent and is often the target of the school bullies, his
best friend the next-door neighbour Dink Jenkins (Luke Wilson) the local baseball hero who
is sent off to war. To soften the blow of losing his best and only friend his mother gives
him a beautiful puppy for his birthday. Unfortunately though his father objects, and
Willie doesn’t understand why. His father (Kevin Bacon) has returned from the war and
witnessed death himself and is afraid of the consequences if Willie becomes attached to
the dog and then having it die. It takes some convincing but Willie does get to keep the
puppy and names him skip.
Skip is
one of those dogs that becomes more like a human than a pet and is right by Willies side
all the time. He helps Willie win over the school bullies and of course the prettiest girl
in school Rivers Applewhite (Caitlin Wachs).
The
film basically shows the life of Willie Jenkins and how skip has helped him overcome
several issues in his life. Nicely included in this the film also lightly addresses some
terrible social issues. Racism is addressed on numerous occasions, but the message is
subtle enough just to blend with the film without making a blinding issue out of it.
I haven’t
been moved by a film as much in quite some time and at one stage I was basically a
blubbering mess. This is a truly powerful story, which does make you think twice about
your life and your actions on many occasions, without forcing it down your neck.
So how
does this transfer hold up?
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VIDEO
Well this is nothing short of a reference quality Anamorphic Widescreen transfer,
and is rare if not a first for a Warner DVD release. I was amazed at the quality of this
transfer given that this is not a big budget big profile film. The images and sharp and
clear at all times, there is no grain, mpeg artefacts, aliasing, shimmering or film
artefacts.
The
colour palette is simply superb; it gives somewhat of an era feeling to the film but still
has bright vibrant and natural colours.
Basically
the transfer is flawless and quite amazing for a single layer effort.
AUDIO
The Dolby Digital 5.1 audio track is similarly impressive.
Clean clear dialogue throughout and the subtle use of the surrounds to support small sound
effects and a simply superb score.
It is
also noted that although this is a two-sided disc both sides are exactly the same and
include the full film and extras. The only differences being the foreign language tracks
differ on each side, and although stated on the packaging as 6 different languages there
are actually 16.
The
surrounds are used effectively throughout the film but given this is not a big budget
action film there is not a lot a room for impressive effects. The .1 lfe channel is used
on occasion but is not really required much.
EXTRAS
Cast
and Crew listing
Theatrical
Trailer
Audio
Commentary: Jay Russell: This is one of the better audio commentaries I’ve heard and
I generally avoid them when I can. This provides some great behind the scenes info on the
dog and his training and of course some snippets from the late William Morris and all in a
humorous and easy listening tone.
Audio
Commentary: Frankie Muniz and Mathilde de Cagny (trainer): This is more of an interview of
the actor and the dog trainer with the film running in the background. There are some good
references to the making of the film and how the dog fitted in with the behind the scenes
action between the two dogs that play skip in the film.
Deleted
Scenes: 4 deleted scenes with voice-overs from the director.
Overall
Well there are only a couple of films I have rated this highly before, and this gets top
marks in all categories. I can do nothing but highly recommend this film as an addition to
your collection.
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