From writer Cameron Alexander and director David Ayer comes a riveting wilderness survival thriller starring Brad Pitt as Army Special Forces veteran James Belmont, and four German Shepherd dogs portraying Belmont’s best friend, Odin. Though the story plays out more or less as expected, Ayer and his crew develop and execute intense, nail-biting, harrowing sequences in which the man and his dog are challenged to survive their perilous environment and the predatory animals that threaten them along the way. It is not a gripping adventure story, but it is also a compelling tale of two characters forever affected by the traumas of their past lives.
James Belmont and his loyal, protective dog Odin take a camping trip into the Alaskan wilderness. Belmont, a pilot, flies himself and Odin to an ideal camping site where they can enjoy the isolation, peace, and quiet. Considering that both Belmont and Odin are war veterans who have witnessed and experienced the torturous atrocities of war, a peaceful vacation is just what the doctor ordered. However, as James and Odin attempt to fly home through a perilous storm, James suffers a moderate heart attack, causing them to crash-land deep in the woods. Though the attack and the crash don’t kill Odin, they must use all of their military skills and wits to escape their dangerous environment.
Though many other movies are like this one, Heart of the Beast remains a compelling piece of adventurous thriller cinema. The set pieces work very well, and the flashback scenes reveal past traumas that continue to haunt both James Belmont and Odin. Though this story isn’t based on true events or real people, the development of its lead characters makes it feel authentic and realistic. Brad Pitt is both charismatic and haunting as a well-worn war veteran who is in great need of a quieter life. The multiple dogs portraying Odin are all exceptional and credible actors. Their trainers and handlers deserve much praise for making their work look realistic and genuine.
I wouldn’t go so far as to say people should pay full price for this film, but given the setting and test pieces, I would at least recommend watching it as a matinee in a theater. Heart of the Beast doesn’t reinvent the survival thriller, but it’s compelling nonetheless.