LONG WAY NORTH

(2015) Sasha would make an awesome Disney princess.  Set in 1882 Russia, Long Way North is about the young aristocratic teen whose family's reputation was sullied when her grandfather set out on an expedition in a great ship - the Davai - commissioned by the king to find the North Pole ... and never returned.  Sasha has counted her grandfather out, and after finding new information that suggests he may have traveled a different route than where the search party looked for him, to save her family and their reputation with the palace and community, when her father rebuffs her claims she sets out on a quest to find passage to the same are of the sea alone, to learn what really happened to the man and his great ship.  Simple animation and a story of bravery, love and loyalty all sounds corny, but this is a beautifully-constructed, heartfelt film that doesn't (to the film's credit) have the Disney gloss and marketability - though (again) Sasha has the independent spirit, courage and fire of the best of the Magic Kingdom's heroines (and would never wait for some prince to come and save or marry her, either).  Sweet film, lovingly told.  (rated PG) 8/10 stars