‘Balto’ By Rita Kempley Washington Post Staff Writer December 22, 1995

Director: Simon Wells Cast: Kevin Bacon; Bob Hoskins; Phil Collins; Bridget Fonda; Juliette Brewer; Jim Cummings General audience Compare prices for this movie Find local video stores More movie shopping Save money with NextCard Visa

Balto (voice by Kevin Bacon), a half-breed and the town outcast, undertakes the journey to prove himself to the other dogs—especially the beautiful husky Jenna (Bridget Fonda), who plays Lady to his Tramp—and the wary townspeople, who shun him because he's half-wolf and, therefore, "half-wild." Jenna, no snob she, has always had a soft spot in her heart for the ruggedly handsome loner.

Balto, the Clint Eastwood of canines, comes to the rescue when Jenna's beloved owner, little Rosy (Juliette Brewer), falls ill along with scores of other children and the overburdened hospital runs out of medicine. The nearest supply is 600 miles away, but a blizzard prevents its delivery by ship or plane. A dog sled team is the only hope.

Nome's finest team, lead by Balto's arrogant archrival, Steele (Jim Cummings), races off for Nenana and collects the medicine, but Steele loses his way in the storm. Days pass, and the town carpenter starts building tiny coffins. Balto, a clinically depressed cur, finally snaps out of it and sets off to rescue the lost team.

Though he intended to go alone, he is joined by his faithful sidekick, a Russian snow goose (Bob Hoskins), as well as Muk and Luk, a pair of orphaned polar bears (both voices by Phil Collins), who think Balto is their uncle. They're cute, but their antics aren't enough to cut through the sap of the hoary story line.

"Balto," both computer-animated and hand-drawn, certainly isn't in the same league as "Toy Story" or any other Disney feature. For that matter, the movie's artistry dims in comparison to that of "Dogs Playing Poker."

Balto is rated G.

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