steetboris Reviews

Balto III: Wings of Change (2004 Video)

Wonderful! Highly recommended

[9/10 · 27 October 2004]

This direct-to-video sequel is already out in Europe, so that's why I've already seen it. And guess what : I love it! Not only because I'm a Balto fan, but because it's a really good animated movie, especially for a DTV (and we all know that the DTV sequels are usually all but good!).

In fact, it gives a slightly different feeling compared to the original or Wolf Quest. I don't know exactly why, but this is the first time I felt that with an animated sequel...And it's really a nice thing ;) The story is one of the best points : there are a lot of things happening, perhaps even more than in the first, and everything goes quickly. There are no boring passages, although some will probably not please everyone. No magic here, the humans are back for good, all the key points of the scenario give a feeling of reality; so it is much closer to the original on that side. The characters aren't still very well drawn; in fact, it depends, sometimes they are perfectly drawn, nearly as in the first one, and sometimes much less. I would say it is common for a DTV on that side. However, the backgrounds are AWESOME. The colors are more than beautiful, and the less beautiful backgrounds are on pair with the most beautiful in the original. It's another thing that is really impressive for a DTV sequel, seeing that IMO they are as beautiful as some big animated movies like "Brother Bear" or "Spirit", and perhaps even more! As for the musics : I would say the same thing. While there are still some empty passages, the soundtrack is really, really awesome, impressive, especially near the end. It may not have the shrewd style of Horner's Balto 1 soundtrack, yet the score from Adam Berry is exceptional, and make some passages unforgettable. To give a better idea of what I overall think of the film, I would summarize that into one word : beautiful. Really, really beautiful. Beautiful scenario, beautiful musics, beautiful graphics... Some of you might be wondering if they will rent it or buy it directly. Well, I believe that this film has more than enough replay value, when Wolf Quest had nearly none; so IMO, it is definitely a must-buy for every Balto fan, and even for everyone else ;)

To summarize : A wonderful film. Definitely a must-see for Balto fans, and one of the best DTV sequels ever made to an animated movie (maybe the best with TLK 1/2). It may have some flaws, but there are so many qualities in the scenario, graphics, musics...that everyone will let through these minor problems, and enjoy the great story it offers. If you liked Wolf Quest, you have all chances to love it. If you didn't, but still liked the original Balto, believe me : it's somewhat different from WQ, so you don't have any reason to not watch it just because WQ was a disappointment. Unlike Wolf Quest, I really can't see anyone who wouldn't like it.

Balto: Wolf Quest (2001 Video)

A worth-seeing DTV animated movie.

[9/10 · 1 September 2004]

Of course, Balto 2 is nothing like the original; like most animated DTV sequels, it has been made with a low budget, so don't expect it to be as good as the original was. However, I think it's still a good sequel : the story is fine (if not compared to the first), the backgrounds are beautiful, and the musics are excellent in several scenes. Usually I hate the songs from those DTV sequels, but here they aren't annoying and even worth listening. The only bad point I would give is the animation itself, which is really bad in a few scenes and looks more like a TV show (ie the bear scene...), but as I said it is often the case with DTV sequels. Also, the characters look and act a bit differently from the first. But from a general point of view, it's still an enjoyable quest, and I think it could have been much worse...So, a good direct-to-video, perhaps one of the best, but not at the level of the original. If you liked the first Balto, then you should at least rent B2. And if you don't like this sequel, then wait for the third Balto, which (from everything I heard, like the return of the original writers) will be a lot better, and will stick more to the original!

Balto (1995)

A great classic, which deserve to be more known

[10/10 · 27 August 2004]

I'm 20, and yet I've never heard of Balto before this year. But now I'm an absolute fan of this movie, and I've must seen it a few dozens of time now... Why? Outside of its classical aspects, this is simply a well done animated movie. To me, there's everything you need to make a great movie : great animation, attractive characters, a beautiful story, a good production... There's no dead time, no songs (except for the excellent credits one), and it's a really good thing. But above all, I love the soundtrack, composed by James Horner (= Titanic, Braveheart...) There are probably the most awesome and varied themes I've ever heard in this kind of movies. And I'm sure everybody would have put it up among Disney's greatest movies, if it had been one! So if you've never seen it, give it a try!