(21 votes, average: 3.9 out of 5)
Loading …Rent Movie.com movie reviews presents The Wild movie review a 2006 film starring Kiefer Sutherland, James Belushi and directed by Steve ‘Spaz’ Williams Ryan (Greg Cipes) is a lion who wants to go to the wild, where his dad (Samson, voiced by Keifer Sutherland) once lived. When he gets himself shipped to Africa, his zoo friends (and Samson) work together to bring him back. When they get to Africa, however, the animals find themselves in a pile of danger. They have to fight an evil wildebeest called Kazar (William Shatner). But Kazar’s safe compared to the other danger on the island- a volcano that’s on the edge of eruption. Can the animals find Ryan and get out of Africa before the volcano erupts in so little time? A cuddly koala who wants to be fierce, a squirrel in love with a sarcastic giraffe, an addle-pated anaconda, and a lion with a secret set off from their cozy zoo to rescue the lion’s adolescent cub from an accidental kidnapping. After braving the dangers of the big city and stealing a boat, they find themselves in the African jungle, where a renegade herd of wildebeest have decided they want to change their position on the food chain (understandable, really). The Wild is hodgepodge–it’s never clear why these mismatched creatures are friends and plot elements seem haphazardly plucked from Finding Nemo, Madagascar, and Ice Age: The Meltdown (though the latter two were made at the same time as The Wild, so it’s just unfortunate for this movie that they came out first). Despite a general air of manic desperation, The Wild does have its strengths: The animation is richly realistic, leading to some gorgeous depictions of light (not exactly a selling point for kids, but adults can appreciate it). Several characters pop out–a pair of sewer crocodiles sound like NPR’s Car Talk guys; William Shatner (Star Trek, Boston Legal) is effectively scary as the cult-leader/choreographer of the wildebeest; and comedian Eddie Izzard lends some of his trademark smart and silly humor to Nigel, the disgruntled koala bear. Successful bits and pieces don’t make for a great movie, but they keep The Wild from the brink of disaster. –Bret Fetzer
Comment by JustTheFacts
# January 2, 2007,
Having sat through the horror that is Madagascar, this movie ended up being a real treat.
Madagascar had decent animation, but the dialogue was terrible. I tended to zone out and do other things while watching it, and that is extremely rare for me. Madagascar ended up being pieces jumbled together with no real coherence and the voice actors just weren’t performing up to par. I don’t even remember what the movie was about as there was nothing memorable about it.
The Wild, however, delivered all that Madagascar lacked. Good choice with the soundtrack, animation top-tier, and plenty of character development. I remained focused on the story and I knew exactly what was going on throughout the entire movie.
What really sealed the deal for me, though, was the look of the characters. I’m sure a lot of hard work was put into Madagascar, but the characters were just plain ugly and cheap looking compared to The Wild. I was extremely impressed with The Wild’s coloring and the fantastic job they did on the fur.
Too intense for children? Well, that’s just tough cookies. I can tell you right now that all the work put into this movie to make it so good looking is definately not for the benefit of a bunch of whiny offspring. I’m so sick and tired of seeing parents rate fantastic movies low just because their kids didn’t like the movie. The sooner people realize no one cares about their child or what it thinks, the better.
Anyway, great movie and a definate must see for a feel good experience.
Comment by Kid’s Movie Review
# January 2, 2007,
When Ryan runs away from his father Samson, he was accindetally shipped to Africa by mistake after he gets into one of many green boxes. For Samson, who tells him stories (that are just made up) about his experience in the wild, must find him. Ryan’s adventure in this movie is finding his roar in the wild, not in the zoo and just growls MEOW! Now along their other friends: Bridgette-the giraffe, Nigel-the koala who doesn’t wanted to be called “cute”, Benny-the bunny who’s in love with Bridgette (How could that possibly work out?), Larry- the snake who I think doesn’t care of the mission (because he said twice or once in the movie “Bye-bye Ryan! Will miss you” when the crate where Ryan is leaving), and 2 iguanas and 2 crocodiles who have just short roles in the movie—the 2 crocodiles show a little later after Ryan got lost, and the 2 iguanas just near the end of the movie.
If you compair (or match)this film to Disney & Pixar’s blockbuster of 2004 “Finding Nemo”, you’ll see both youngsters (Nemo and Ryan)are lost and the 2 fathers with no wives shown in the movies* are up to find their son (Samson and Marlin). Plus with the help of some friends (Dory, Crush, Bruce, Nigel and etc. for Finding Nemo & Bridgette, Nigel, Larry, Benny, and the 4 extras (2 IGUANAS AND CROCODILES) for this movie.
*In Finding Nemo, Marlin’s wife and Nemo’s mother Coral, was shown in the begining of the movie but soon got eaten by a big fish.
Now, to Lion King, no humans appeared, only animals (especially lions) are the only the stars appeared.
If to Madagascar (2005), (See the chart)
THE WILD - MADAGASCAR
Main Stars
Samson-Alex
(both are stars of the zoo in NY)
Bridgette-Melman
Nigel-no koalas appeared
Larry -no snakes appeared
no hippopotamus appeared-Gloria
(but extra character only)for WILD
no zebras appeared-Marty
Benny-no squirrels appeared
(but lemurs appeared) for MADAGASCAR
The animal-related movies might be babyish but all of them are fun to watch.