Into The Wild Review

The Case

Into The Wild is a film based on the book and true-life story of Christopher McCandless, a young college graduate who gives up all of his possessions and takes an alternate route in discovering the joys that life has to offer. Sounds pretty good, huh? Yep, that's what I thought, which is why I went to see it this weekend. And it wasn't good. It was phenomenal.

The Good

Leaving out the origins of the story for a moment, I'd like to give props to the separate elements that made this film so wonderful. First, the locations. This production traveled across the entirety of North and South America to capture all of the places that McCandless actually experienced, and the movie is stunning because of it. From the deserts of Mexico to the mountains of Alaska, this movie will leave you breathless.

Second, the filming technique. The movie feels like it's alive, and that's due in part to the amazing camera work. There's a lot of handheld shots, a lot of bright light and camera flares, and you'll even see actors looking directly into the camera, which threw me at first, but really helped me become a part of the story instead of just a bystander. It all added an emotional intensity that might not have been there otherwise.

And last, but definitely not least, the acting, which was amazing - the cast was totally spot-on. Supporting actors such as Jena Malone, Vince Vaughn, and Hal Holbrook all light up the screen, but the big award goes to Emile Hirsch (The Girl Next Door), who plays Chris McCandless. He gives an almost flawless performance. It's real, raw, and very inspiring.

Of course, on top of all the technical film aspects, you also have to remember the fact that this is a true story. It's all about one young man's life and adventures, and it's fantastic. It covers the broad spectrum of emotions, from terror and revulsion to awe and wonder. It's real, and it's gut-wrenching, and it's unbelievably touching.

Go see it.

The Bad

I liked most everything about it. I just want to give you a fair look at what you're getting into, though. It's a raw story, and the ugly details aren't hidden away behind the scenes. You experience every piece of this film - the good and the bad. The beauty of the land and the hearts of the characters are balanced by the monstrous selfishness of people in today's world and the harsh, unforgiving wilderness about us. There's life and death in this movie, so be prepared.

The Verdict

Five stars! Get your tickets at the theater and brace yourselves - you're heading Into The Wild!