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Balto helped me when I needed it in my life and it helped shape the direction that I took in life. For that I will always be greatful to the movie and it will always have a special place in my heart. I have also made some really good friends as a result so all of that helps to keep my interest.

Steele is what keeps me a balto fan, mostly cause he still inspires me to try out new artistic skills ( mostly drawing).

Steele2

Old topic but I think I'ma comment cus I haven't on this-

I can't exactly say I'm still the hardcore fan I use to be years ago; like when I first joined BaltoSource. But I still do enjoy the movies and such.
I did go through a HUGE balto dry spell, where I sold off about 95% of my balto merch, didn't hardly even come on this site, or watch the movies. Heck for a while balto wasn't even a thought of mine. Till recently.

Its funny...my love for balto is sparking again, if anything just a little. I'll never be the die-hard fan I once was back in 03-06. But I will always remain a fan to some degree. I'll never DISLIKE balto ever.

The reason why I've been frequenting this place more recently is due to my love being rekindled. For those who know me really well, know I have 2 kids. My 4 year old son, was browsing through the Dvd collection here at home, since my husband told him to pick whatever movie he wanted to watch out, he ran across "Balto" and saw that it had "Doggies" in it, so he said he wanted to watch the doggie movie. My husband and I both laughed cus he'd never watched balto before, and me myself hadn't watched it in years.
So we all sat down and watched it, and of course that struck a few heartstrings deep down. So now not only am I a fan, but my son is one too. He loves watching balto and so far has watched Balto and WoC. We've yet to watch WQ but we will soon lol.

Like I said, I'll always be a fan, and my love for different fandoms tend to come and go like the wind. I love all the fandoms I have grown to be a part of, but you know how that is. I'm a fan of alot of different things. Balto will always stay though no doubt.
I suppose the thing that keeps me a fan is the simple fact that Balto was a HUGE part of my childhood. I was about 10 or so when balto came out. I remember wanting to buy it so badly. And of course my father pre-ordered it for me back in the day on VHS. And well I have been a fan ever since. I'm now about to be 29 so the love for balto has been an ongoing thing for quite a while.

I sold off alot of my balto stuff, I had at one point a rather impressive collection...but now I'm reduced to just the 2 balto plushies, the CD, Press Kit and a few of the books.
Though I am on the market now for a few of the things I miss.

So the fact that the movie has been a part of me since childhood is what keeps me hooked, I recall alot of fond childhood memories watching it and playing with the toys that I got in my hardee's kids meal.

So theres my book on the matter...do carry on ^^

1) Nostalgia.

2) It's one of the few animated films that took the time to animate characters at appropriate dramatic angles.

3) I feel pain for the people who had to hand draw those harnesses.

Notice the sequels have nothing to do with my liking the first movie.

I've loved this movie since it first came out. I was 5 at the time. I'm in my 20's now. I think the reason I continue to love it is (1) the fact it's based on a true story, (2) nowhere near as violent as a lot of cartoons today, (3) very well made, and (4) its a wonderful story. It's about this guy who likes to help people for the simple fact that he WANTS to help. No ulterior motive. (Plus, who doesn't like a good love story that isn't really sappy?)

I tend to quote the original thread opening so I stay on point. Please excuse me for doing this. Thanks. Um, I have always been a fan of all mammal movies: horses, dogs, wolves, cats, lions, tigers, leopards, etc. I love them all. Doesn't matter whether it's animated or real life, I take them all and this just happens to be one of the best. The first animal movie I ever watched was The Lion King, and I grew up with it, it was my first official favourite movie. Balto kinda reminds me of TLK for some mysterious reason.

One of them is when I try drawing the characters I see in the movie and thinking of what story lines I can create by drawing them in my sketchbook. And lastly, is simply just watching the film over and over again.

Nostalgia. And the fact the are truthfully very good movies.

I like that answer. Short and to the point.

Hmm, why do I still remain a Balto fan, even now being in the fandom for nearly 18 years? [Yes, I'm that old. XD]

I have a few reasons that I should mention:

- The movies are actually GOOD! Yes, I did say 'MOVIES'. I believe all three films in the Balto saga are generally good, despite their awful, awful flaws [the first lacking more truth, the second with some cheap animation and the third for being unbearably unoriginal and boring as tar]. After years of many watches of each one, I've found myself liking them more and more compared to some other series, even compared to the Disney series that have sequels. I love animated movies with a passion, and I can't help but to enjoy myself while watching these three... even to the point of quoting scenes word-for-word!

- The characters are relatable. Every character follows some obvious personality tropes that actually make them interesting, and I'm sure everyone can find themselves growing attached to one or more characters throughout the series. Balto is the outcast that overcomes the impossible to save people that despise him, then soon becomes an overprotective father that learns to let his child live her own life, and then helps his son understand that even though change will come, one can still be needed to save a life. Rosy is the kind heart that sees good in those that are persecuted and disliked while her dog, Jenna has hope and faith even against all odds. Steele is the proud villain that hates purebreds or anyone better than him. Boris is the supportive father figure to the outcast, always there to lift his spirits with words of wisdom. Even the sequels have likeable characters with Aleu searching for her purpose in life and Kodi wanting to follow in his famous father's paws. I love the characterizations and the writers did their best to make them likeable... and most of them are.

- The animation... is very nice. This is especially true for the first movie, given the budget and all. The animators really seemed to care for what they were bringing to life and the story that they were telling, even if the true story was changed some to work with the "wolfdog" differences. The sequels.... or at least the second sequel, WoC, had some really amazing animation for a sequel budget, as did WQ, but WoC was much better overall. The story still blew, but I digress.

- The atmosphere is amazing, especially in the first two films. The fact that the feel of the world created was nearly realistic for a "near-true story" movie was so good for the first film. It was so detailed and just mind-blowing when I first saw it as a kid that I watched my VHS copy over and over again. I especially loved the action scenes and how well choreographed they were. The addition of Inuit spiritualism was a nice touch of culture and made the second movie much better than I first thought it was after more watches. In all three movies though, the score was wonderful, especially the first film's "Heritage of the Wolf" and any of the second film's native-sounding music.

- Also, WOLVES. I really am a fan of animal movies, but dog and wolf films that make a wolf [er, wolfdog] as someone GOOD is something very rare in today's time. Maybe this is another reason why I love WQ more than both of the other films combined? I dunno. Also, I really like Aleu. <3

So yeah, I'm still a fan and despite that there's no more movies in the series and no other official things for Balto in the near future, but I'll still be a fan that writes fics and makes art for my favorite series. Hopefully all three films will be released in a three-movie [DVD and/or Blu-Ray] set in the USA soon!

Always stay strong, my fellow Balto fans!

- Juuchan17

It's definitely nostalgia in my case. I was living in Alaska when I first saw the movie, and many times after. Because the movie was set so close to home, it was an instant favorite. About six years after I moved away, a dear friend of mine moved up there, opening a floodgate of memories, including those of Balto, and the Iditarod. With those memories came a desire to see the movies again. It was this first nostalgic trip that made me a true Balto fan. Since then, the movie has held a special place in my memory. My fandom went cold again for another few years. Then, whilst searching for the latest scoop on the Iditarod (which I follow every year), I found Balto Source, and once again, all the fond memories came back.

Now that I'm older, my appreciation of the movies has expanded to other aspects as well. Notably, the beautiful animation scheme (for the first movie) and the soundtrack. The soundtrack is AMAZING!

Finally, the fact that it is a very clean, very child appropriate movie that I, as an adult, still truly enjoy watching is a testament to its quality and lasting value. Most other movies from my childhood pale in comparison.

What keeps me a fan? Or a dedicated fan? Probably this smashing site, same as with other fandoms. If I couldn't share my love for Balto movies (and anything else) with other people, I'd probably get bored of it and wouldn't care that much.

To be honest I dropped Balto for a long time, up until now. It's mainly nostalgia, like many others before me have said. It reminds me of my childhood, and how I've always loved wolves, huskies and sled racing. Not to mention the story is heart-warming and touching. Braving the wilderness to save a town that didn't accept him? I admire Balto for that. True, he only seemed to be interested in Rosie's health because of his attraction to Jenna at first... But then it grew to be more than that, he honestly cared about what happened to all those sick kids.

I'm also completely in love with the characters. They're loveable and memorable, even the 'bad' ones like Steele. To be honest my favourite character has always been Steele (probably due to my love of villains) but the thing that keeps me a Balto fan is Balto himself. The sequels weren't as good as the first, but were still enjoyable and watchable. I'll definately be introducing these films to my nephews... I don't know why I haven't already!

So that's what keeps me a Balto fan I guess; nostalgia, the story and the characters. I only hope these films will be remembered through many generations to come, as well as the true story of the real Balto.

The story , charecters , Animation , and music. I can Also relate to some of the charecters and the story.