On the other side of the dramatic scale from cautionary horror is inspiring animal drama, another convention that dates back at least a century.  The bond that can take hold and become so powerful between people and their favored animals has been celebrated and exploited countless times and in countless movies.  Yet when they are told well such stories can be rewarding and even unforgettable.  Arthur the King is very rewarding because of the bond demonstrated between man and beast, one so powerful that most hearts will be melted at the sight of it.

Based on a true story, Simon Cellan Jones’ shaggy dog story (literally!) takes place in the Dominican Republic, where a bunch of “adventure racers” spend several days running, climbing, bicycling and kayaking some 435 miles to win some crazy competition.  One team, led by stubborn Michael Light (Mark Wahlberg) in what will probably be his final attempt, finds a furry friend along the way, a very helpful mutt he names Arthur.  Gradually the four-person team gels together as a group and Arthur helps them do so, as well as providing them local knowledge and inspiration.  But can Arthur really help them win the race?  And what after, for he really needs some help of his own?

Location shooting provides incredible scenery and a real sense of place, conveying the relentless exertion and pain that every racer must be feeling.  The relationships that grow amongst the four-person team (Wahlberg, Simu Liu, Nathalie Emmanuel, Ali Suliman) are woven into the race very nicely; this is what a team-building exercise ought to be.  One sequence, involving a zip line over the Dominican jungle, is incredibly tense.  And the bits of humor that find their way into the mix are not just welcome but organic and heartwarming.

Heck, this whole movie is heartwarming — when it isn’t questioning how batty someone must be to participate in such an epic adventure.  One wonders what the dog is thinking as these people run away into the jungle in their colorful clothes, carrying all that gear.  And no one ever explains how the meatball-eating dog finds its way to the team halfway through the course.  The real story, however, is Michael’s efforts to keep Arthur after the race has finished, and that part of the story is most rewarding.  So is this movie, fit for the whole family.  ☆ ☆ ☆.  2 January 2025.