Academy Award winner Brad Pitt and Odin tug at the heartstrings in the new film “Heart of the Beast,” which was released via Paramount Pictures. #Powerjournalist Markos Papadatos has the scoop.
David Ayer directed from a screenplay by Cameron Alexander. The synopsis of this survival thriller is: After a harrowing plane crash, Special Forces officer James Belmont (Brad Pitt) and his combat dog, Odin, find themselves stranded deep in the Alaskan wilderness.
Together, they are forced into a brutal fight for survival against the elements. “Heart of the Beast” is an intense adventure thriller that explores the unbreakable bond between a man and his best friend as they face their greatest battle yet.
Brad Pitt is a quiet storm in this film as James. He is not afraid to be raw and vulnerable, and he exudes control, power, and restraint in his performance. It feels like watching “In the Valley of Elah” all over again, and Pitt is our Tommy Lee Jones meets Anthony Hopkins in “The Edge.” The movie also has elements of Tom Hanks in “Castaway.”
There are many instances where his canine friend “Odin” steals the show in multiple scenes, and the audience can’t help but root for both.
Oscar winner J.K. Simmons is able to provide some comic relief in his short role as the quirky Watkins, while Anna Lambe is a revelation as Amber towards the end. The multiple twists and turns will keep the audience engaged, and at the same time, running for the Kleenex (even the men in the movie theater).
While it is a slow-burner, it will take the audience on one wild and bumpy ride. The cinematography is visually-striking coupled with a stirring musical score, which helps elevate the thriller to a higher level. “Heart of the Beast” is worth more than just a passing glance, and it garners 4.5 out of 5 stars.
