“Alpha” is meant to act as the gateway into the origins of our love for man’s best friend, and for the most part works. While it won’t stand out from the pack of diverse indies and blockbusters coming out this summer, I’m still happy to say that, despite its flaws, “Alpha” manages to succeed in providing a story of man vs nature as well as a commendable coming-of-age story about a boy and his dog.
Set in Europe 20,000 years ago during the Last Ice Age, Keda (Kodi Smit-McPhee) is presumed dead after falling off a cliff after a hunting expedition goes wrong. Alone and isolated from his tribe, Keda must brave the harsh landscapes and dangerous wildlife of the Ice Age if he is to make it home safely. But in doing so, he begins to forge a bond with a wolf named Alpha, which blossoms into the beginning of the friendship between man and dog.
“Alpha” is the type of movie that you must see in the biggest screen possible, whether it’s 3D, IMAX, IMAX 3D, etc. Director Albert Hughes brings to life the large-scale natural structure of Europe during the Ice Age, and all the elements that capture the stunning beauty and harsh brutality of the Last Ice Age are also present, whether they’re raging blizzards and striking thunder or breathtaking stars in the night sky and vast, endless fields of mountains that reach the horizon. It becomes clear that the cinematography and visuals are meant to bring about the spectacle of the film and Hughes’ utilization of 3D, which I’m generally not a fan of, help evoke the vastness and wonder that makes up the environment and he makes sure to allow the immersion to feel natural and deserving.
However, in regards to the CGI effects themselves, they can be hit or miss. For instance, while some creatures are impressively well-rendered, particularly the bison, mammoths, and the wolves themselves, others are a little more noticeable, particularly on the smaller-scale side such as rabbits. While most of the effects were impressive, some of them definitely needed some polishing.
The story itself is nothing you haven’t seen before, nor does it have the kind of weight and depth that I felt like a survival story like this deserved. The performance of Kodi Smit-McPhee was certainly admirable and it was fascinating to watch his growth from immaturity into adulthood, and you can see the clear and simple progression of that transgression. I just wish the journey itself had more emotion into it to give it that much more of a punch. The relationship with the wolf was also a highlight. The messages being given off by both parties are noticeable and you can clearly see and understand the stages they’re at in the development of their friendship. The formation of their bond feels natural and earned, albeit a little rushed as the movie picks up.
It’s also a bonus that there’s not that much dialogue in the movie, and that does provide some opportunities for some nonverbal communication that relies more on movement and emotion rather than exposition. However, in all honesty, sometimes when the characters do talk, the dialogue can take me out of the experience because it sometimes felt out of place.
Overall, “Alpha” bolsters stunning visuals and a charming story about man’s best friend. The story isn’t the most unique nor does it exert the most impactful emotion. Nonetheless, the sheer size of the film itself evokes a magical presence that is sure to make for an awe-inspiring experience.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIxnTi4GmCo&t=1s&w=585