Snow Dogs

A dog eat dog world gets a happy-go-lucky Bob Saget sitcom makeover with the champion of brainless kids' flicks at the helm. Brian Levant, of Problem Child and Jingle All the Way infamy, directs this loose adaptation of Gary Paulsen's novel with bloated cheeziness that stars Cuba Gooding, Jr. as a big city dentist who journeys to Alaska to discover his roots. Soon the ignorant city slicker turns makeshift mush master to carry his family's name by competing in the distinguished Arctic Challenge against the feared Thunder Jack (James Coburn) and the Fabio of dog sledding. Despite the utter simplicity, exaggerated fakeness, and nonstop optimism by the characters who probably suffered more from cheek ache with their constant smiles than frostbite with the subzero temperatures, the film has a good natured purity that is reassuring. Lest we forget the cute and cuddly Siberian Huskies that undoubtedly brighten the screen.