moonspinner55
Midwestern farm kid in 1917 enters a grueling Winnipeg, Canada-to-St. Paul, Minnesota dog-sled race. Live-action adventure from the Disney Studio, scrubbed clean with good intentions, seems to have come off the same conveyor belt as "The Journey of Natty Gann" and "Homeward Bound". It's old-fashioned and inoffensive, despite clichéd villainy and an impossibly corny slow-motion climax (not to mention gaps of logic so wide, you could drag a dog-sled through them!). Mackenzie Astin (real-life son of actor John Astin and actress Patty Duke) is fairly good in the lead, though the movie is poorly directed and edited, without an ounce of honest inspiration. ** from ****
I_Am_The_Taylrus
SPOILERS Wow, my second Disney movie in two days. I must be going insane. Anyway, I liked this movie way more than I thought I would. When I watched it I thought it was going to be a typical "Disney movie with sloppy plot and a normal kid saves day" kind of movie. I was wrong. This was a great movie and for once a child did not save the day. It was a teenager. I also could not believe that Kevin Spacey was in this movie. Kevin Spacey, for crying out loud!Here is the plot of this movie. After Will Stoneman's father dies in a tragic sledding accident Will has to try to take care of his family. He starts to become the man of the house. The only problem is that he does not have any money to provide for his family. The only way to get money is to enter a dog-sledding race. If he wins he will receive $10,000, which was a lot back then. Since he is so young people do not think that he is going to win, or live, but a reporter makes Will famous. Will discovers that the climate is not the worst of the troubles, it is the people who are determined to win. In the end Will wins the race by the scruff of his neck.Overall, this is a terrific Disney and family film. There are some dark parts in this, and it is not Academy Award winning material, but trust me, you will discover that this will be much better than you would think. For some strange reason White Fang and this seem similar. Maybe it is because I saw both movies in the same week, and they both have teenagers in them and they have to do with dogs. Anyway, this is a great family movie that you should not miss. This is one of the most impressive movies I have seen since Witness.8/10Recommended Films: White Fang, Balto, Call Of The Wild.
aesgaard41
I don't watch a lot of Disney's live action movies because the majority of them can be broken down to the same plot, but Iron Will is worth watching because it's supposed to be based on a true story. It has great strength and determination and explores the extent of the human spirit as well as pride the USA once had in its heroes. A young hero, Mackenzie Astin, formerly of the "Facts of Life" series, against all odds, both human and natural, somehow wins a snow sled race and becomes a man in the process. Like I said, typical Disney fare, but this movie tells that story much more strongly and directly than any other Disney version. I'd play this movie to teach my kids some values.
Joel Corbin
A seventeen year old boy loses his father, needs money and competes in a dog sled competition for a large prize. The snow and cold scenery is fantastic. You seem to feel the cold as the film progresses. Criminal involvement depicted is what seemed to be true during the year period of the film. The progress of the race keeps the viewer's interest and you emotionally cheer on the young man who is competing, especially since he has fears brought on by his father's death. Being set in 1917 allows the use of a period steam locomotive which creates authenticity and historical interest. This film is a cheer for the human spirit. We need more of this today.
AD
