Far From Home: The Adventures of Yellow Dog

From Old Yeller to White Fang, boys and their dogs have helped each other survive exciting wilderness adventures. Far From Home: The Adventures of Yellow Dog doesn't really take the theme into virgin territory, but Jesse Bradford and Yellow have an easy rapport, and their forest ordeal abounds with memorable critters, including a hungry wolf pack, a hungrier bobcat, and a poor little rabbit who gets sacrificed to stave off our heroes' starvation. Neither too savage nor too cute, this kidflick didn't find the theatrical audience it deserved last winter. But for parents who've overdosed on Beethoven-type cuddles, such a natural and unsweetened dog story should prove a welcome change. B+