Balto: Wolf Quest (2002)

Balto and his daughter Aleu embark on a journey of adventure and self discovery.

Director:

Phil Weinstein

Writers:

Dev Ross (screenplay by), Cliff Ruby (based on characters created by)

Stars:

Jodi Benson, David Carradine, Lacey Chabert

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview:
Jodi Benson	...	Jenna (voice)
David Carradine	...	Nava (voice)
Lacey Chabert	...	Aleu (voice)
Mark Hamill	...	Niju (voice)
Maurice LaMarche	...	Balto (voice)
Peter MacNicol	...	Muru (voice)
Charles Fleischer	...	Boris (voice)
Rob Paulsen	...	Terrier / Wolverine 2 / Sumac (voice)
Nicolette Little	...	Dingo (voice)
Melanie Spore	...	Saba (voice)
Kevin Schon	...	Muc / Luc / Wolverine 1 (voice)
Joe Alaskey	...	Hunter / Nuk (voice)
Monnae Michaell	...	Aniu (voice) (as Mone Walton)
Mary Kay Bergman	...	Fox / Wolverine 3 (voice)
Jeff Bennett	...	Yak (voice) (as Jeff Glen Bennet)

Storyline

Half wolf Balto has a litter with his full husky wife. Most puppies resemble her and are easily adopted by the Wild West villagers. Only one daughter, which has his lupine traits, must be raised by them and devoted goose Boris. She also proves a free-spirited rebel, drawn to the wild. Balto spares no effort to protect his stubborn, near-adult pup, which leads to both of them confronting and joining wise old 'wolf shaman' Nava's troop, which needs to make hard choices, requiring a strapping younger leader.

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Plot Keywords:

dream | 1920s | nightmare | balto character | direct to video | 

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Taglines:

The adventures of a true American hero continue

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Genres:

Animation | Adventure | Family | Fantasy

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Certificate:

G

Did You Know?

Trivia

"The Grand Design" is very similar to "Circle of Life" from The Lion King (1994). It is based on Alaskan Native theological beliefs rather than traditional African paganism.

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Goofs

As Aleu departs on the ice floe, Nuk changes color from brown/white fur to maroon/black.

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Quotes

Aleu: I know what I am, but not who I am.

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Connections

Featured in The Paul Behragam Talk Show: "Balto 2" R&T Part 10 (2015)

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Soundtracks

The Grand Design
Written by Michele Brourman and Amanda McBroom
Performed by David Carradine, Mark Hamill, Amanda McBroom, George Hall,
Roger Freeland, Ali Olmo, Lisa Harlow Stark and Rob Trow
Produced by Michele Brourman

User Reviews

A different kind of DTV sequel

This was a must see during my Balto obsession phase back in high school. Yes, it's crudely drawn TV animation and not one single person from the original Balto (that I am aware of) bothered to work on this movie released by Universal Toons as an attempt to copy off Disney's lack of originality. (Note: They ALMOST got Kevin Bacon to come back, ALMOST)

Any the movie...the one thing I remember was that I though it was terrible as soon as we heard Jenna I went nuts. (Why Jodie Benson? She's done terrible renditions of Anita (101 Dalmations 2) and Lady (Lady and the Tramp 2). Why Jenna?! Why couldn't they find someone who was much much closer to the personality of Bridget Fonda's character. Jodie Benson was great as Ariel and that is what she should stay. You know you're watching a video sequel when you hear Jodie Benson destroying an important female character and pushing her into the background. That's all Jenna, Boris, Muk and Luk were. They were gone before the second half of the movie and never returned. Actually this was a good thing because I could remember not being able to handle the torture of hearing and looking at these poorly done old characters.

My only other complaint was the CGI. I know it's kinda cool in the dream sequences but geez, couldn't these animators at least bother to make it more blendable with the animation?! Are they taking us Balto fans for suckers or just the kids?!

There are good things to like. As I said the movie for me actually got better and recovered from our character dissapointments. Aleu is voiced by Lacey Chabert who is also doomed to doing nothing but DTV sequels but I believe this character fitted her. (Yeah I know, Aleu should still be a puppy if only a year passed right? Oh well) And we cant forget how much of this plot was taking hmm lemme go down the list: Little Mermaid II, Lady and the Tramp II, 101 Dalmations II, and the big daddy: Lion King II. Yes the overprotective father and his rebellious daughter returns but don't worry folks, Balto's character isn't destroyed like Simba's was in the sequel. But some of the acting was lame. "Finding yourself," blah blah blah. Who cares?

OK the plot seems kinda pointless until we get to the wolves. now it all comes together and we actually have a plot. Niju's henchman however were unnecessary. I felt as though I was watching a Saturday morning cartoon with these guys. The wolves needed more character than comic relief. I say this is a different type of DTV sequel because well, check out the end...it's not your average DTV ending.

Last but not least songs, wow the songs. They're actually good. Still a bit DTV cheesy but still memorable. Someone needs to get on phone with Universal and say "Come on people! If Disney can chug out pointless soundtracks to their crappy DTV sequels, so can you!" This is really soundtrack worthy if there's four really good songs to consider.

So that's it. Here's to hoping that Balto 3 has the same, if not better beauty of Balto 2, but I doubt it.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 February 2002 (USA)

Also Known As:

Balto: Wolf Quest

Filming Locations:

Universal Cartoon Studios - 121 W Lexington Avenue, Glendale, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Cartoon Studios

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1