Togo
When families settle down to watch Togo, the latest original film to hit Disney+, they will likely be thinking to themselves, “this reminds me of that animated movie Balto” and they will be right. Balto infiltrated pop culture by being the dog to complete the relay race that was the 1925 serum run. Togo is meant to set the record straight, while all the sled teams consisted of outstanding boys and girls, it was the film’s titular dog Togo and his master Leonhard Seppala (Willem Dafoe), who were the key players in saving Nome, Alaska from a diphtheria epidemic.
Togo does not take any risks with its plot structure or dialogue. The film uses classic characters of dog adventure films but Dafoe’s acting presence keeps Togo from feeling like the made for tv movie it is. Along with following Togo and Seppala on their intense leg of the Great Race of Mercy, the film provides flashbacks to an unruly Togo’s puppyhood. It is in this earlier timeline that Dafoe’s chemistry with the dogs who play Togo is best seen. The huskies in Togo surprisingly use effective facial expressions, matching the fear on Dafoe’s face during death-defying scenarios like crossing over a frozen but cracking sound. Dafoe brings energy to Seppala that keeps the classic character of a stern dog musher feeling fresh, his portrayal of Seppala’s character makes the tenderness between Seppala and Togo’s relationship that evolves throughout the film feel believable.
Along with Dafoe giving a superb performance, Togo itself is beautiful to look at. The film has fantastic cinematography that captures the sprawling and dangerous landscape of Alaska. The wardrobe also reflects the film’s 1920s setting, with Dafoe seen in an impeccable collection of knitwear. Two Inuit actors (Michael Greyeyes and Nive Nielsen) share a moving scene with Togo, which forces Seppala to consider how far he is pushing his dog team. Though their roles are quite small, it is great to see a Disney film that has indigenous characters drive the story — crucial, considering the company’s varied instances of racist stereotypes.
Togo lacks decent CGI, especially during the blizzard scenes. The sky is made too dark and the snow and freezing rain look entirely fake; it takes the viewer out of the film. It is disappointing that Disney did not put in the effort to properly craft the setting of what is supposed to be the most intense scene of the film, especially considering the millions of accounts that have subscribed to its streaming service since Disney+’s launch.
Togo is not just meant to be a historical correction, it is a standard hero’s journey story in its purest form. Disney is telling yet another classic story of the underdog. Though simple, Dafoe elevates the material he is given to inject plenty of heart and soul into Togo’s story. Togo is the perfect family film for Disney+ and it is these original stories that the entertainment company should be focusing on, not remake after remake.
TOGO is streaming exclusively on Disney+ December 30th 2019