Into The Wild
Reviewer: Lee Griffiths
Issue 101 March 2008
(2 votes, average: 8 out of 10)
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An awfully big adventure.
The Lowdown: Based on a true story, Into The Wild recounts the fateful journey of University graduate Christopher McCandless, a man who abandoned all his possessions in order to achieve independence from modern society. After changing his name to Alexander Supertramp, the young traveller makes his way to Alaska in order to achieve ultimate freedom.
Review: In 1992, young Christopher McCandless was found dead in an abandoned bus in the Alaskan backwoods. He weighed 67 pounds and had been dead for two weeks. Left behind was a journal containing entries covering a total of 113 days. While the ensuing novel, ‘Into The Wild’ (by traveller Jon Krakauer), may have depicted young McCandless as a confused figure of arrogance, the on-screen McCandless is much more likeable, and his story is retold with great affection by writer/director Sean Penn. Wanting full approval of the McCandless family, Sean Penn apparently waited 10 years to make this movie, and his unwavering patience and dedication has now paid off. The wait was most certainly worth it.
Playing out like a haunting traveller’s journal, Into The Wild is by far Penn’s strongest directorial effort yet, and certainly one of last year’s most memorable and affecting flicks. The much-welcomed DVD release provides further opportunity to savour McCandless’ extraordinary journey in greater detail, and the troubled young man’s remarkable voyage looks stunning on the digital format.
Like a collage of picture-perfect postcards, Into The Wild chronicles McCandless’ journey in non-chronological fashion, flitting between the fated Alaskan backwoods and the gorgeous locales of the American wilderness. The structure provides an ever-present reminder of the protagonist’s doomed fate and achieves a sense of foreboding as the downbeat finale forever looms in the near distance. It makes for an absorbing if unsettling experience; inspirational yet heart rending, with Hal Holbrook’s teary-eyed proposition/plea at the film’s end providing one of the most profoundly moving scenes we’ve witnessed in a very long time.
And all of this is held together by a moody score from Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder, some astonishing cinematography and a collection of outstanding performances. The aforementioned Holbrook, Catherine Keener, Vince Vaughn and William Hurt all provide solid support to Emile Hirsch’s cocky but charming McCandless, who transforms from wide-eyed optimist to a withered shadow of his former self with impressive results.
Worthy of a purchase? Absolutely, and while the two bonus featurettes don’t add a huge amount to the experience, the additional 40 minutes of Into The Wild related chitchat is very much welcome, as McCandless’ story is one which you’ll find difficult to let go of. Breathtakingly beautiful, emotionally charged and deeply moving, Into The Wild is a journey well worth taking, and one you’ll not forget in a hurry.
FILM: 8 EXTRAS: 5
DVD Info:
Certificate: 15
Starring: Emile Hirsch, William Hurt, Vince Vaughn, Hal Holbrook
Directed By: Sean Penn, 2007
Distributor: Paramount
Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1
Visuals: 2.35:1 Anamorphic Widescreen
Running Time: 140 mins
Price: £19.99
Film supplied by:
Shine Communications
Special Features:
‘Into The Wild: The Story, The Characters’ Featurette
‘Into The Wild: The Experience’ Featurette
Theatrical Trailer
Scene Selection
