The greatest aspect of "Wolf Totem" is the gorgeous, sweeping cinematography that captures the landscape in breathtaking aerial shots and crystal-clear color. The story has its touching moments but dissolves into disjointed melodrama.

Something ends up lost in translation. Its aspirations of looking and feeling recognizable end up uncomfortable and embarrassing.

There's no denying the beauty of the film's imagery, violent and tender, or the emotional power of the final moment in the boy-and-his-dog love story.

This attempt to say something about the struggle between humans and wild animals is too bombastic and unfeeling.