{"id":13701,"date":"2023-04-15T08:08:25","date_gmt":"2023-04-15T12:08:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/amothersrandomthoughts.com\/?p=13701"},"modified":"2023-04-15T08:08:30","modified_gmt":"2023-04-15T12:08:30","slug":"balto-movie-review-1995-for-christian-parents","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/amothersrandomthoughts.com\/balto-movie-review-1995-for-christian-parents\/","title":{"rendered":"Balto Movie Review (1995) for Christian Parents"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

with Bonus Teaching Ideas<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Humans love “based on a true story” movies, but they especially love ones based on a true story about animals. The true story of Balto was that he was a purebred Siberian Husky born in a kennel and sold to Gunnar Kaasen. He was part of a sled dog team that delivered serum to a hospital in Nome, AK, and saved the town from a serious diphtheria outbreak. In this  Balto Movie Review, we attempt to separate fact from fiction and give you the info you need before letting your children watch this movie.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While Balto (1995) is an animated film and is rated G, this parent’s guide will answer questions you may have. Is this movie suitable for children? This parent’s guide will give you the necessary information before watching Balto with your children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Balto<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Synopsis of Balto Movie Review:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The animated feature film opens as a live-action movie in New York City’s Central Park. An older woman is with a younger girl. The old woman is looking for something. When she can’t find it, she sits on a park bench and begins to tell the little girl a story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is when the animation begins. The year is 1925. Balto is a wolf-dog living in Nome, Alaska. Balto was abandoned as a young pup and raised by Boris, the comic relief snow goose. Obviously, the best way to move goods and mail was by a team of sled dogs. When diphtheria hits the town of Nome and it is too snowy to transport the needed medicines by train, multiple teams of dogs work tirelessly to relay the medicine hundreds of miles in record time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the movie, Balto, the main character, is referred to as a “wolf-dog,” but he was actually a Siberian Husky. Why they decided to portray him as part wolf is beyond me. The majority of the movie was told from Balto’s perspective. Balto is not an “official sled dog” but he knows he can help save the town. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Two<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What Parents May Want to Know:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Positive Content:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

While Balto is rejected by his mother and the townspeople, he is still kind. In one scene, he uses shards of glass to show Jenna that beauty can come from broken things. Furthermore, this is a story of sacrifice and doing the right thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Violence: <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

in the movie, a butcher tries (unsuccessfully) to cut the head off a snow goose. The goose is saved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dogs growl and fight. Some of the dog fights get intense. There are several scary scenes throughout the movie. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Children are shown sick, and a row of child-sized coffins is shown. Balto looks shocked at the site of them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A huge grizzly bear attacks some dogs and is seen with his mouth wide open, and he has huge claws. The bear does crash through the ice to his death. At this point, it appears Balto has succumbed as well, but he is saved. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dogs are running through a cave, and icicles are falling all around them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Sled<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Other Content:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

One dog is just pure evil. He is jealous and lies to intentionally make himself look better. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Balto Movie Review Viewing Recommendations<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This movie is rated G and is suitable for most audiences. However, there are a few scenes that depict fighting and animated violence. Some children may be afraid of this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Furthermore, much of the movie is pure fantasy and historically inaccurate. My recommendation is to read the book, The Bravest Dog Ever: The True Story of Balto, and research Iditarod sled dogs. Watch some YouTube videos of Iditarod Races.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Sled<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

If you need more proof to pass by this mushy movie, the Rotten Tomatoes rating currently stands at 56%, with an audience score of 70%. While Togo, which is a much more accurate retelling of the race, has a rating of 93% and an audience score of 94%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n