Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, January 15, 1994                   TAG: 9401150116
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: C-12   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: By MIKE MAYO CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

`IRON WILL' IS BEST SUITED FOR A YOUNG AUDIENCE

The story sticks close to proven formulas involving a long race, and a boy and his dog. It's so simple and predictable that most adults will probably become impatient. At the same time, it's too involved for very young viewers. (The preschoolers in a Friday afternoon audience didn't last ten minutes before they were exploring the aisles.) But older kids and teen-agers, particularly those who like dogs, will really enjoy the movie.

It's 1917, South Dakota. After his father is killed in an accident that's unconvincingly staged, 17-year-old Will Stoneman (Mackenzie Astin) decides to win $10,000 in a 500-mile dog race. His mother is against it but he has to prove himself, etc. etc. . . . you know the drill. Off he goes to Winnipeg where Harry Kingsley (Kevin Spacey), a cynical journalist, gets him into the race, hoping to create a sports hero and sell papers.

At the same time, our evil villain is introduced. The bald Swede Borg (George Gerdes) is such a deft scene-stealer that our hero with his carefully moussed haircut fades into the woodwork every time he shows up. And when Borg finally gets his comeuppance, it's a wonderful bit of comedy that may or may not be intentional.

The script by longtime Alfred Hitchcock-collaborator John Michael Hayes ("Rear Window," "To Catch a Thief," "The Man Who Knew Too Much") and two other writers certainly has some effective moments, but it also has some real howlers. Toward the end, it gets unbelievably shameless, and just when you think it could stoop no lower, it does!

Actor turned director Charles Haid makes an impressive feature debut. The film was made in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Haid fills the screen with a series of spectacular snowscapes. He also made good use of some vintage steam engines, and got believable performances from his cast. Mackenzie Austin holds his own against Gerdes and the photogenic lead sled dog, Gus (Beau).

"Iron Will" isn't Disney's best - far from it - but it is well-made escapism that should appeal to young audiences.

Iron Will: *** for kids; ** for adults

A Disney release playing at the Salem Valley 8 and Valley View Mall 6. 107 min. Rated PG for some violence and a little strong language.