A team of explorers and scientists are forced to evacuate their Antarctic research station but leave behind eight beloved sled dogs as the storm of the century prepares to hit the icy region. The intention is to return for the dogs once everyone else is whisked away to safety.

Predictably the storm worsens and no return can be made to pick up the mutts. Facing a winter in the frozen wilds the dogs are stranded and fight to make it through the most unforgiving winter on the planet.

Survival guide Jerry (Paul Walker) is heartbroken and mounts a seemingly impossible rescue mission (but for the fact this is Disney and we're all pretty sure it's going to work out in the end).

Disney's obsession with the doggy movie continues, the old heart strings are unashamedly plucked and pulled in true Disney style. The photography is great and the dogs are stunning (upstaging their human co-stars throughout the film).

However you can't help feeling that the dogs were somewhat let down by the constant over direction, incessant anthropomorphic head-cocking and crap doggy noises set against a typically cheesy score.

Jason "American Pie Goes To The Antarctic" Biggs was "wacky" (sigh) and Paul Walker was... er, Paul Walker. Rather more Dude Where's My Husky than Turner And Hooch.

With that most tenuous of taglines, Inspired by a true story you can't help but think this justification is somewhat redundant (inspired by an advert/conversation/bad haircut etc.)

However, lovers of Disney, dogs and the snow will no doubt enjoy this rather lengthy tail.

Vickie Juett