Jake Barnes and his two kids, Sean and Jessie, have moved to Alaska after his wife died. He is a former airline pilot now delivering toilet paper across the mountains. During an emergency delivery in a storm his plane goes down somewhere in the mountains. Annoyed that the authorities aren't doing enough, Jessie and Sean set out on an adventure to find their father with the help of a polar bear which they have saved from a ferocious poacher. Conflict ensues.
Practical Effects
Real trained polar bear, zero CGI—Chuck the bear is the MVP.
Acting
Thora Birch carries this entire film on her tiny shoulders.
Cinematography
Actual British Columbia pretending to be Alaska, beautifully shot.
Director
Fraser Clarke Heston
Thora Birch
Jessie Barnes
Vincent Kartheiser
Sean Barnes
Dirk Benedict
Jake Barnes
Ben Cardinal
Charlie, Quincy Air Service
Kristin Lehman
Florence
Stephen E. Miller
Trooper Sam Harvey
Don S. Davis
Sergeant Grazer
Charlton Heston
Perry
Duncan Fraser
Koontz
Gordon Tootoosis
Ben
Stephen E. Miller
Trooper Harvey
Byron Chief-Moon
Chip's Father
Adrien Dorval
Burly Fisherman
Ed Gale
Animatronics Bear Cub
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Chuck the polar bear was a veteran animal actor who also appeared in commercials and The Golden Compass. He out-acted everyone.
This was Thora Birch's bridge between Hocus Pocus and American Beauty, proving she could anchor a film even at 14.
CA
US
