Hike! Hike! Hike!!! The Hunger Games ain't got S*** on this movie! I was privileged, I repeat, PRIVILEGED to have grown up with this film! VERY appropriately rated as a "Disney" film, yes! Families all around can enjoy this film! Along with "Balto", this flick introduced me to the sport of dog sledding! Also introduced me to many big Hollywood names, like Kevin Spacey, Brian Cox, Brian Ogden Stiers (RENOWNED for Disney movies), and especially August Schellenberg (R.I.P). They all played their appropriate roles. Although, I'll admit, I don't often like Kevin Spacey as an actor - always seems to act as antisocial & controversial characters. Also don't forget Richard Riehle, the guy who says "If you're late again, you're fired", near the beginning of the movie; classic character actor of the century (in over 300 films!!!). Plus, I like the idea of John Terry playing Will's father, and just all-round playing father figures - he's just so kind & likable.I'm utterly surprised to this day why this film is so overlooked & underrated! After all, 1994 *was* the big year of MANY big blockbuster films; maybe that's why it was so overlooked. Mackenzie Astin, the brother of Sean Astin (Sam from Lord of the Rings), is great in this film! Such an under-appreciated actor! IMO, he's even hotter & more talented than Leo DiCaprio. He plays a REAL ACE in this movie - I fully realize just how well-written his character is! If more people in the world were like his character, Will Stoneman, the world would be a much better place to live!A 6.5!!!?????? SERIOUSLY!??? This flick should switch around ratings with "Never Cry Wolf", which is a '7.6' a horrid & disappointing film that was downright BORING & ridiculous & uncomfortable to sit through, and should be totally removed from the "Walt Disney" category!!They're just so many good things in this film. The train always gets fabulous shots, too. That scene on the bridge of trying to outrun the train will always seem to scare me. LOLThe frostbite in this movie really sends shivers down my spine - after all, it was the movie that introduced me to the reality of "frostbite". Just looking at Stoneman at the end of the movie, he looks messed up! He gave everything he had to finish that race!I mean it, if I ever go on live TV, I'll make sure to bring this movie with me to show on air, just to give it the attention it deserves & needs!Disney Channel! Get this film on the air sometime! Or at the very least, Disney, re-release this movie so that we can again see the true story about Will Stoneman on the big screen!Beautifully directed, beautifully shot, and beautifully acted!9/10!!

There's no denying that Disney have went horribly astray in recent years, churning out pure garbage that even the most deluded of families find appalling, and all in the name of political correctness. Walt built the studio and his reputation on taking risks and pushing boundaries through the right of free speech. But the Disney label now seems to be ashamed of its past and leans toward conservative values. They have all but erased their "racist" film Song of the South from existence and show little, if any, of the courage and nerve Walt thrived upon in the 30s and 40s. I'm not sure what has provoked this alarming shift in quality from a once flawless studio. Perhaps they think that every mother out there shelters every one of her children against any and all things that can possibly contaminate their fragile minds and only the trusted House of the Mouse knows what's best.Set in 1917 the story follows Will Stoneman (Mackenzie Astin, looking like Sean Patrick Flannery) a boy who dreams of saving the family farm and going to college. But his only chance of doing so is by winning $10,000 in a cross country dog-sled race. With little training and overwhelming odds against him he throws himself head-first into the race despite the adversity.It's a great movie for those who love adventure, escapism, choo-choo trains, period settings and Huskies. I'm not keen on dogs in the slightest but Huskies are lovely.Kevin Spacey and Brian Cox (as old then as he is now as the man was born middle-aged) provide good support but the movie belongs to Astin, who somehow hasn't achieved the level of fame his brother has. His acting skills are certainly not in doubt and this movie proves he's a good lead.Iron Will is a perfect example of how far Disney has fallen in the past decade. Made in 1994, it's a solid adventure film with strong characters, lovely scenery and an uplifting story. Flash-forward to January 2002 (a mere 8 years) to the pile of rubbish Disney movie Snow Dogs starring Cuba Gooding Jnr. A very similar movie in terms of story but a WORLD apart in tone. One is serious and respectable, the other features multiple clichés and fart jokes.What would you rather expose your kids to?

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.

How much of this story is true is up for dispute. I suspect most of it is highly exaggerated. Nonetheless, it is inspirational and fun to watch: an excellent adventure tale.The movie reminded me of "White Fang" with the winter scenery and the young hero, played by MacKenzie Astin, looking and sounding much like Ethan Hawke. The story was simply about a dog-sled race in the early part of the 20th century.The picture is beautifully shot, especially the train scenes, and looks very good on DVD. The villains in here aren't as despicable as in other films, so it's more pleasant to watch. I enjoyed the entire story except for the whistling at the finish line which was a bit stupid, but that's minor.This is one of Disney's better efforts.