I didn’t have high expectations going into “Heart of the Beast”. I’ve been hit and miss with director David Ayer over the years. And stories with dogs at the center can sometimes get schmaltzy pretty quickly. Plus, Ridley Scott’s “The Dog Stars” (released less than a month ago) was a dud. But I’m excited to report “Heart of the Beast” is one of the pleasant surprises of the year. And it all comes down to one key element: tone.
There’s a legitimate level of sophistication to this film and the treatment of the (mostly) standard material that’s admirable. You can also say the same for two-time Oscar winner Brad Pitt’s performance as James, a retired Army soldier who’s venturing through Alaska with his combat dog Odin (a.k.a. Odie). They’ve been through a lot and both suffer from nightmares and PTSD. They meet a fellow traveler, Watkins (Academy Award winner J.K. Simmons), who shares some of his views on the world in a couple scenes and then exits the picture.
James and Odie’s plane crashes in a sequence that will have you doing a double take at least twice. They’re both injured — and must go approx. 58 miles to safety. Will they make it, and what obstacles will they face along the way? The opening moments of the movie reveal too much, an aspect I would’ve tweaked). And while the script is a little predictable, because James and Odie are often on the move, the pacing feels good. The quieter moments work too.
Pitt delivers. We feel the pain he’s in. His presence and commitment to the role feed into “Heart of the Beast”‘s old school, movie star-led, survival thriller vibe. This is the kind of film Robert Redford might’ve done in the ’70s or ’80s. (Pitt has loved Redford, even referencing him in his “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” Oscar acceptance speech.) The cinematography is excellent — some gorgeous locations here (New Zealand standing in for Alaska). And the music, constantly presently, is more and more welcoming as the movie goes on.
I give Ayer and writer Cameron Alexander credit for how they craft the finale, which in very direct ways, honors those (human and K-9) who proudly serve our country. Several people were audibly crying at my screening. “Heart of the Beast” will not only be embraced by Pitt fans and older moviegoers but also military families.
This should do well at the box office, though a Veteran’s Day release might’ve been even more impactful. Maybe this will be on Paramount+ by Nov. 11, and I’m sure it will have a huge audience on the streamer, but it deserves a nice theatrical run as well.
LCJ GRADE: B
Running Time: 101 min.