I can say without a doubt that “Heart of the Beast,” directed by David Ayer (“The Beekeeper,” “A Working Man,”) is by leaps and bounds the better film to release this year centering around a man, his dog, and a plane. One could only be so lucky to have a canine companion that will not only stand by your side in the cold and lonely wilderness of Alaska, but actually be a crucial instrument that helps toward your survival and does their best to see it through. But that door swings both ways in this survival thriller.
Almost immediately, the relationship between our lead, James Belmont (Brad Pitt), and his trusty sidekick Odin (a German Shepherd played by Uber) feels just as real as the chair you’re sitting in to watch the film. Both are now retired special forces veterans who struggle to coexist in civilian life, weighed down by what was left behind from their time serving and the memories of a past filled with pain and bloodshed. Yes, even amongst dogs, it rings true that no one leaves the battlefield unscathed.
Real Trauma Felt by Both Soldiers
Though it’s very common to highlight disorders that men develop after a career of service, something I haven’t seen play out before is the film’s detail of the psychological torment a hound of war experiences after deployment. The whimpers are as loud and clear as any cry for help. Through night terrors, we get a glimpse of what boots on the ground were like for both soldiers—though if I’m being honest, this reminded me of those grainy-filter Go Army commercials of the early 2000s—but the trauma is still very real.
Brad Pitt will always perform at the highest level when action calls, but the well-trained Uber has so much personality that it is impossible for him not to steal the spotlight, leaving the viewer deeply concerned about the predicament the duo finds themselves in. Also cool is the alignment of a prosthetic leg and titanium teeth, which will definitely come in handy during their expedition through the last frontier.
Now this is a film I wouldn’t have minded seeing in IMAX. The aerial shots of the snow-filled mountains and the flat tundras near the river for fishing, to no surprise, are breathtaking. But it’s the sound that got me. Every echo that bounces around the valley—of water flowing, wind moving, and animals howling—makes for an exciting theater experience.
Moments that Tug at the Heartstrings
But not everything can run as smoothly as an in-and-out mission. Some manufactured elements and never-in-a-million-years chances are present to elevate the quest and tug at the heartstrings, often telling the audience what they should be feeling at exact moments. But never slacking on pace, it somehow all feels natural to the story. Some scenes offer a decent chuckle or a good relief, breaking the tension of desperation and defeat, but those moments are so minuscule and insufficient that you’re anticipating the next scene with caution. Whether you are a dog lover or just a fan of Brad Pitt, every bark and grunt will be your main focus.
All in all, this is the worst-case scenario with the best companion possible, and I’m here for it. Regardless of my own personal nitpicks, the film drives home a very clever message about these servicemen and animals that have seen combat and the need for a new lease on life when it’s all over. No over-the-top action or heavy artillery to equalize the threat in the dark—just a man and his dog leaning on each other once again to make it home.
