Balto III: Wings of Change

This is a sequel to Balto which is almost worthy of the name.

Balto's son, Kodi, has joined the team that carries the mail for the town of Nome. Kodi's proud and happy to be on the team, but his job is challenged when a bush pilot comes to town. The pilot offers to bring the mail faster and more reliably, but when the mushers protest, a race is arranged, the winner to get the job. The dog team asks Nome's fastest dog, Balto, to lead them.

Balto agrees, but he is torn. Seeing the plane has given him a dream - to fly. Also, he's chased the plane and knows they can't beat it. However, a lot of things can happen in the Alaskan wilderness!

There is a somewhat silly subplot involving a love interest for Boris, and several new characters who, like Muc and Luc, don't really add much more than some comic relief. However, overall this is a terrific story. The themes of Balto as a father, a hero, and a role model do justice to this great character. The pilot, Duke, isn't a villain, but a nice guy, adding depth to the outcome of the race. The art and music are also good, the songs aren't intrusive (in fact, having Jodi Benson sing one is a treat), and the backgrounds are sometimes spectacular.

Wings of Change is, in fact, the sequel I would have wished for after seeing the original movie. And that's saying a lot.

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Main Characters:

Balto (VA Maurice LaMarche) - The hero of the original film is back in fine style, raising his son, saving jobs and lives, and even flying.

Kodiak (Kodi) (VA Sean Astin) - Balto's son is a basically good kid, but he has a lot to learn about life, still. He matures and does his dad proud.

Jenna (VA Jodi Benson) - The heart of the film, and Balto's comfort, Jenna is also the moral compass who steers her son in the right direction.

Duke (VA Keith Carradine) - This bush pilot comes to Nome with an ambitious plan which goes dangerously awry for him, but he makes a good friend in Balto.

Boris (VA Charles Fleischer) - The cranky goose is back, and with a big problem. A lovely lady goose is pursuing him, but he can't join her in a romantic flight, and lies about the reason.

Stella (VA Jean Smart) - She's hot and she's sexy, and for some inexplicable reason she adores Boris. But she shows a fierce temper when she finds out she's been played for a fool.

Other Characters:

Muc and Luc (VA Kevin Schon) - The loveable polar bears are back, mostly for fun and as a somewhat forced plot device. But still, they are so cute.

Dipsy (VA Kathy Najimy) - The dog from the general store, she has a tremendous appetite and is clever about satisfying it.

Mel (VA David Paymer) - The post office's dog, Mel is a pessimist, to say the least, and describes potential disasters in mournful, hilarious detail.

Ralph (VA Bill Fagerbakke) - One of the mail team, Ralph is a bit of a whiner, but he comes through when it counts.

Kirby (VA Carl Weathers) - Leader of the mail team, Kirby can be a pain, but he, too, becomes a hero when he's needed.

Dusty (VA Charity James) - Like Kodi, Dusty is a young dog on the mail team. She's more of a follower than Kodi, however.

Mr. Simpson - The human part of the mail team, he helps to talk the postmaster into giving his dogs a chance to prove themselves.

Mr. Connor - The postmaster, Mr. Connor tries to do what's best for the whole town.

Favorite quotes:

Balto: Nobody quits on my team. Nobody!

Jenna (to Balto): Be a father, not a hero. That's all he needs from you.

Kodi: Thanks for saving our jobs, Dad.
Balto: For the time being.
Kodi: What do you mean?
Balto: I don't think that's the last of the bush planes, son. Their day is coming.

Kirby: The difference between a dog and a machine is, dogs are tough and reliable.
Balto: I thought the difference is, only one has a heart.

Jenna: Oh Kodi, I don't believe you. There is a man out there, maybe dying.
Kodi: We could've lost our jobs because of that man.
Jenna: You think your job is worth more than a life?

Kirby: You're either with us or against us.
Kodi: All I ever wanted to do was be a part of your team. Bringing the mail and supplies is all about helping everyone. And now, when somebody really needs our help, we're sittin' on our butts. I mean, if this is what it means to be a mail dog, then I... I'm not sure that's what I wanna be.
(I must quote my friend Zora here and say that Sean Astin delivers the best inspirational speeches!)

~ Kat

Comments:

I wasn't particularly pleased with Balto II, so I rented this movie with some trepidation. Obviously, my fears proved to be groundless! One thing I loved most about it was that the movie centered, not on Kodi, but on Balto. My favorite thing about it was the way Balto found the dream to fly and, in his usual humble way, pursued it. When the plane flew by with Balto in it and "Balto Express" on its side, I cheered. Another thing I loved about it was that we got to see Balto as a parent, and he's such a great dad.

~ Kat

Favorite images: