Heart of the Beast is a completely functional film, almost utilitarian. It has only one objective: to keep you engaged for its entire runtime. And by that modest goal, it succeeds. But it's odd that a film with this star isn't anything special.
Part of the reason Brad Pitt has enjoyed such a long career is his boundless charisma. From his breakthrough in Thelma & Louise through his action star era and into his more distinguished films, his best movies remind you why he's such a magnetic presence.
Yet for some reason Heart of the Beast strips all that away. James, the retired Special Forces operative Pitt plays, prefers the quiet of nature and loves his dog Odin. But that's literally all we ever learn about him. There's nothing beyond the surface. Poorly done flashbacks tell the audience how he and Odin were injured in combat, but we never observe any aspect of James's personality.
The film has two incredible aspects going for it that make up for this. The first is the gorgeous locations. While set in Alaska, the film was shot in New Zealand and its snowy mountains, expansive prairies, and beautiful lakes are captured pristinely by Oscar winner Mauro Fiore (Avatar). The second is the terrific performance from Uber as Odin. I kept thinking back to 2020's semi-disastrous Call of the Wild, which used human motion capture for a CGI dog. It never felt right. And while there's some definite VFX work – particularly when Odin encounters wild animals – using a real canine grounds the film and keeps you glued to your seat.
As a dog owner, I'll freely admit the moments when Odin is in danger or performing heroic feats affected me deeply. And yes, I teared up at one point. But that's what a lifetime of loving dogs can do, giving extra weight to a movie that's not always up to snuff. The film briefly becomes a quasi-horror movie in its last act, as a wolf pack stalks Odin and James. It's the best stretch by far, even as it recalls Liam Neeson's more soulful The Grey.
Heart of the Beast is an inessential film, but a great one for dog lovers. This pooch can save lives onscreen and draw tears offscreen. But it can't make Pitt's character interesting.
