Alpha (2018)

Directed by: Albert Hughes | 96 minutes | adventure, drama | Actors: Kodi Smit-McPhee, Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson, Marcin Kowalczyk, Jens Hultén, Natassia Malthe, Spencer Bogaert, Mercedes de la Zerda, Leonor Varela, Morgan Freeman

Origin stories are a tried and true part of many superhero stories. Almost every hero has one, and it also happens outside the superhero genre: in ‘Hannibal Rising’ we see the early years of Hannibal Lecter and in ‘Dracula Untold’ we learn where the world’s most famous vampire comes from. But what no one expected now is an ‘origin story’ for one of the most famous figures in everyday life: the domestic dog. In “Alpha,” director Albert Hughes (“Menace II Society,” “The Book of Eli”) tells the story of the first wolf to befriend his nemesis, humans.

‘Alpha’ follows Keda (Kodi Smith-McPhee, known for ‘X-Men: Apocalypse’ and ‘Dawn of the Planet of the Apes’), a young Cro-Magnon who is left for dead by his tribe after an accident. . In his struggle for survival, he comes across a wolf that has just happened to him. After a lot of mutual mistrust, the two realize that together they have a better chance of survival. In doing so, they lay the foundation for a friendship between humans and animals that is still indestructible thousands of years later.

The story of ‘Alpha’ is simple and the cast is small. McPhee and the Wolf, played by a Czechoslovakian wolfhound named Chuck, carry the film. Dogs are particularly trainable as “actors,” and Chuck does the best dog role since Sam from “I Am Legend.” The blossoming bond between the two, with Keda competing to become the “alpha” of the two, feels believable, although it moves a little too fast here and there (the film is 96 minutes, and it takes quite a while for the wolf to show up) .

Where the story is simple, the setting of the film is grand and beautiful. With location shoots in Canada and Iceland, complemented by computer-generated mammoths, bison and saber-toothed cats, the barren world of 20,000 years ago comes to life spectacularly. Instead of English, the actors speak an invented ‘Cro-Magnon language’ based on various indigenous dialects. A bold choice that pits ‘Alpha’ against rarities such as ‘The Passion of the Christ’ and ‘Apocalypto’ by Mel Gibson, in which Aramaic and Mayan are spoken respectively.

“Alpha” is the rare kind of movie that will appeal to fans of family movies like “Ice Age” and “A Dog’s Purpose” as well as fans of prehistoric drama movies like “10,000 BC.” With an endearing story, thrilling action sequences, stunning on-location camerawork and a dog that steals the show alongside its human counterpart, ‘Alpha’ has something for everyone, while also providing a unique rendition of an important but often forgotten moment. from human history.