White Fang 2: Myth of the White Wolf (Dir: Ken Olin, 1994).
Walt Disney Pictures’ action/adventure sequel to their 1991 hit White Fang (Randall Kleiser).
White Fang told the story of Jack Conroy (Ethan Hawke) and his adventures during the Klondike Gold Rush with the wolfdog of the title. White Fang 2 picks up with Jack now in San Fransisco having left White Fang in the care of his friend Henry Casey (Scott Bairstow). Nearly drowning in a boating accident, Henry is rescued by Lily Joseph (Charmaine Craig) of the native Haida village. Lily Joseph believes Henry to be the human form of a mythical white wolf sent to help her starving tribe. Henry decides to help the Haida locate the caribou while also dealing with a corrupt mining organisation who are exploiting the Haida.
Published in 1906 Jack London's White Fang was a partly autobiographical novel inspired by his experiences in the Klondike. The novel was already much filmed before reaching the screen via Walt Disney Pictures in 1991. An unexpected big hit for the studio, White Fang 2 was released three years later. A sequel to a film based on an iconic literary work is unusual. It also seems a little unnecessary, especially one that largely deals with a different set of characters.
In many respects White Fang 2 is the latest of Disney's many 'boy and his dog' movies, a staple at the studio since Old Yeller (Robert Stevenson, 1957). It also dates from a period in filmmaking when Hollywood was seen to be apologising for its past portray of Native Americans as savages. Dances with Wolves (Kevin Costner, 1990) and Disney's animated Pocahontas (Mike Gabriel & Eric Goldberg, 1995) were among the movies that sort to readdress this. Perhaps because of this the movie is at its best when delving into Haida mythology. It is less engaging when dealing with the adventures of Henry Casey.
His uncredited appearance, limited to the prologue, suggests that Ethan Hawke declined a larger role in the film. As his replacement Scott Bairstow is a somewhat bland leading man and looks like he would be more comfortable in a 90s boy band than in the Klondike. In fairness, the role demands little of him, other than looking pretty while carrying out some mild heroics. Little more is expected of Craig as his reluctant love interest. Meatier roles are given to Alfred Molina and Geoffrey Lewis as the bad guys, but in general the movie suffers from too much focus on the humans and not enough of the magnificent White Fang; the beautiful half dog/half wolf reduced to supporting player in his own movie.
The plot of White Fang 2 is easy enough for the youngest of audiences to understand, but its a pity that every twist and turn of the story is so obviously signposted, as this leaves little to engage adults viewers. The beautiful landscape is some consolation but even this is not presented in the cinematic manner one would hope. The movie probably seems more at home on television than on cinema screens. Indeed, a look at director Ken Olin's entry on IMDB reveals that, White Fang 2 aside, his other work consists entirely of small screen productions, although his career in this medium is a distinguished one.
White Fang 2 is not without entertainment value. Its old fashioned adventure story is pleasant but unspectacular. Those young enough to forgive its simplistic storytelling will enjoy it but older audiences will be wishing this canine caper had a little more bite. Worth a look, especially if you enjoyed the original but, ultimately a bit of a disappointment.
White Fang told the story of Jack Conroy (Ethan Hawke) and his adventures during the Klondike Gold Rush with the wolfdog of the title. White Fang 2 picks up with Jack now in San Fransisco having left White Fang in the care of his friend Henry Casey (Scott Bairstow). Nearly drowning in a boating accident, Henry is rescued by Lily Joseph (Charmaine Craig) of the native Haida village. Lily Joseph believes Henry to be the human form of a mythical white wolf sent to help her starving tribe. Henry decides to help the Haida locate the caribou while also dealing with a corrupt mining organisation who are exploiting the Haida.
In many respects White Fang 2 is the latest of Disney's many 'boy and his dog' movies, a staple at the studio since Old Yeller (Robert Stevenson, 1957). It also dates from a period in filmmaking when Hollywood was seen to be apologising for its past portray of Native Americans as savages. Dances with Wolves (Kevin Costner, 1990) and Disney's animated Pocahontas (Mike Gabriel & Eric Goldberg, 1995) were among the movies that sort to readdress this. Perhaps because of this the movie is at its best when delving into Haida mythology. It is less engaging when dealing with the adventures of Henry Casey.
His uncredited appearance, limited to the prologue, suggests that Ethan Hawke declined a larger role in the film. As his replacement Scott Bairstow is a somewhat bland leading man and looks like he would be more comfortable in a 90s boy band than in the Klondike. In fairness, the role demands little of him, other than looking pretty while carrying out some mild heroics. Little more is expected of Craig as his reluctant love interest. Meatier roles are given to Alfred Molina and Geoffrey Lewis as the bad guys, but in general the movie suffers from too much focus on the humans and not enough of the magnificent White Fang; the beautiful half dog/half wolf reduced to supporting player in his own movie.
The plot of White Fang 2 is easy enough for the youngest of audiences to understand, but its a pity that every twist and turn of the story is so obviously signposted, as this leaves little to engage adults viewers. The beautiful landscape is some consolation but even this is not presented in the cinematic manner one would hope. The movie probably seems more at home on television than on cinema screens. Indeed, a look at director Ken Olin's entry on IMDB reveals that, White Fang 2 aside, his other work consists entirely of small screen productions, although his career in this medium is a distinguished one.
White Fang 2 is not without entertainment value. Its old fashioned adventure story is pleasant but unspectacular. Those young enough to forgive its simplistic storytelling will enjoy it but older audiences will be wishing this canine caper had a little more bite. Worth a look, especially if you enjoyed the original but, ultimately a bit of a disappointment.
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