MPAA Rating: PG for some peril and brief mild language.

Genre: Adventure/Drama

Starring:  Paul Walker, Bruce Greenwood, Moon Bloodgood, Jason Biggs, and Gerard Plunkett

Age Recommendation: 13+

The saying "Dog is man's best friend" has never been more true than in the harsh and unforgiving Antarctic where even the native animals struggle on a day-to-day basis to survive.  Here, where temperatures often drop to 30 degrees below zero and sudden snow storms can cut a man off from his camp in mere minutes, having a faithful team of sled dogs makes all the difference in the world to a human's continued existence.

Eight Below is a story of love and compassion, survival and struggle, friendship and determination.  When sled dog trainer Jerry Shepherd (Paul Walker) is told to evacuate his outpost due to a huge approaching snow storm he is told there is not enough room on the plane for himself, his partner (Jason Biggs), a visiting scientist (Bruce Greenwood), the pilot (Moon Bloodgood) and his 8 dogs.  The only option is to leave the dogs behind until the people can reach their destination.  The pilot promises Jerry she will return but once she lands, all planes are grounded and she cannot return for his dogs.  Since everyone believed the rescue plane would return for them, Jerry left them chained up.  Now, with no idea when … if at all … someone can go back, Jerry is beside himself with worry over their survival.

As the days begin to pass with no sign of help, the dogs begin to get anxious and, one by one, manage to either break their chains or wiggle free from their collars.  Even with nothing to eat for over a week, they all mange to get free except for the oldest (Old Jack), who sadly has lost both his strength and will to continue. 

From there viewers follow the dogs' perils and tribulations as they search for food and Jerry's struggles and frustration as he repeatedly tries and fails to find someone who can help his dogs. 

Jerry and the dogs are finally reunited in a heartwarming scene that will touch viewers of all ages.

The film has moments that will most likely be frightening for younger children.  One of the dogs begins to feed on a beached, partly eaten whale but is attacked by a sea lion.  The sea lion bites the leg of another of the dogs and draws blood.  Young children may also be upset by a scene depicting one of the dogs accidentally falling to its death while jumping and playing with the Northern Lights.  The dog's twin – inseparable from birth -- chooses to stay behind.  As the rest of the pack heads away, a snow storm begins that separates the dogs and it appears this third dog will also be lost to the elements.  The dogs are also seen killing seagulls for food.

The film contains one use of the "s-word" and no sexual situations, making this a film most families can enjoy watching together.