'Into The Wild' - High-Def Digest Review

[Attebery]

If 2008 made you want to head for the hills and into the wild, boy are you gonna love our last review of the year! Ken reviews the Blu-ray release of 'Into The Wild' on New Year's Eve morning.

Happy New Year everybody!

Full review here:
http://bluray.highdefdigest.com/1813/intowild.html

[ruckus81]

Into the Wild was gonna be my last HD DVD purchase but I held out and rented it off Xbox Live. I think this may be my first BD purchase of the new year. Good Review.

[Nicodimus22]

I couldn't stand this movie.







*SPOILERS*






It wasn't Emile's fault at all, I generally like his work. I just find it frustrating watching someone basically commit suicide for no good reason over the course of two hours. There are so many people who would have loved to have the advantages this kid had in order to feed their families or pay for their medical bills because they have a terminal illness, etc, and this brat just threw it all away. I just found the whole thing to be incredibly selfish, especially the way he cut off his family.

Some people see Chris's actions as selfless, trying to send a message to our society about materialism, etc, and I wonder if they were watching the same movie. He basically gave a big middle finger to his family, who had worked to give him every advantage, and then killed himself (wandering into a rugged, highly isolated area like the Alaskan wilderness with little prior research of the area, not telling anyone where you'll be, and bringing no means of communication IS basically asking to die, for those of you about to cry "but he ate the wrong plant by accident!") Ask a park ranger in Alaska if Chris was brave and selfless or just stupid. If he had wanted to do some good in the world, he could have done a thousand other things that would have been better, but hey, Darwin.

[HKMOVIESAREBEST]

Looks like I'll stick with my HD-DVD release.

[junglalien]

This movie sucks. Which lowlife will Hollywood try to glorify next? I can go downtown and find a homeless person with a more interesting life who probally is alot smarter and less selfish than McCandless. Someone who is a victim of bad circumstances that you could really have sympathy for. McCandless brought his pathetic fate onto himself. They should have tried to show him as a victim of mental illness or something... I don't understand one bit the point of showing this idiots life. Like he was some kind rebel with a righteous cause. He is not worthy of an almost 3 hour movie and not someone to be admired. Because Sean Penn did it it supposed to be good?
Into the Wild is an epic failure about an epic failure.

[Leterface]

I have actually pretty same opinions about this movie as Nicodimus22.

But I enjoyed the PQ, the wildlife, and pretty much every scene before the last minutes of the movie.

[HDuser30]

Originally Posted by junglalien

This movie sucks. Which lowlife will Hollywood try to glorify next? I can go downtown and find a homeless person with a more interesting life who probally is alot smarter and less selfish than McCandless. Someone who is a victim of bad circumstances that you could really have sympathy for. McCandless brought his pathetic fate onto himself. They should have tried to show him as a victim of mental illness or something... I don't understand one bit the point of showing this idiots life. Like he was some kind rebel with a righteous cause. He is not worthy of an almost 3 hour movie and not someone to be admired. Because Sean Penn did it it supposed to be good?
Into the Wild is an epic failure about an epic failure.

You took the words right out of my mouth, I have not seen this film and from what I read about it so far, I'll never see it. What's the point of watching some dude destroying his life for no purpose whatsover.

[reallyagi]

I just want to throw in my two cents. I think it takes some kind of bravery to do what McCandless did. We are all born in a society we didn't choose and an environment we couldn't predict. Sure he came from a wealthy household and good education. Many people would trade lives in a heartbeat. But if that's the life he has, doesn't he have the right to reject it. I don't feel pity for him. His own family didn't pity him. IMO, his choices sprout interest and need study, if only to assure oneself that our own choices are warranted. Besides, why make a movie about a truly miserable person and inspire pity. Pity never helped anyone, it just gives us a superficial gratefulness for the life we have without even knowing if we truly deserve it, or want it. Selfish? Maybe. Crazy? Like a fox.

[Josh Z]

Originally Posted by HDuser30

You took the words right out of my mouth, I have not seen this film and from what I read about it so far, I'll never see it.

Great job judging a movie without bothering to watch it.

What's the point of watching some dude destroying his life for no purpose whatsover.

What's the point of watching any movie? What's the point of watching Star Wars? Spaceships don't fly through outer space like that. That's just stupid. Or The Dark Knight? Some idiot dresses up in a silly Halloween costume and plays vigilante. I know 10 year-olds with more sense than that. What's the point of watching those?

[Cochise]

Originally Posted by HDuser30

You took the words right out of my mouth, I have not seen this film and from what I read about it so far, I'll never see it. What's the point of watching some dude destroying his life for no purpose whatsover.

Well, if you need a "point" to watch a movie, how about so others can see how foolish McMcCandless was and realize they shouldn't throw away their lives like he did?

But my reasons for enjoying the film was the fantastic scenery and filmography, moving music scores, the interesting mix of characters he meets along the way, and always spot on job of immersing himself into a role by Emile Hirsch.

[Emoney7]

I guess I'll have to respectfully disagree with some of those posts, although I can kinda see your points. I think McCandless is very relatable, although I myself have never been driven to those extremes I have entertained the idea of leaving the 'rat race' and finding something more fulfilling. And for someone to actaully have carried it out, is a fantastic story, especially when it was sacrificed and not taken away.

That's why I think this movie succeeds though, it can be interpreted as a cautionary tale or as a fantastic true story to find things deeper then the material.

I think the people to harsh on it missed some things in the story.

[HDuser30]

Originally Posted by Josh Z

What's the point of watching any movie? What's the point of watching Star Wars? Spaceships don't fly through outer space like that. That's just stupid. Or The Dark Knight? Some idiot dresses up in a silly Halloween costume and plays vigilante. I know 10 year-olds with more sense than that. What's the point of watching those?

I didn't mean to offend anyone who's a fan of this film. To answer your questions, I love Star Wars films, even the prequels and I watched them because they entertained me. Also, I love love The Dark Knight and again that movie entertained me. Oh by the way, I read the book Into The Wild and I couldn't stand it, I should've stated that before I posted my last comment. I guess reading or watching some dude killing himself is not my cup of tea.

[junglalien]

Originally Posted by Emoney7

That's why I think this movie succeeds though, it can be interpreted as a cautionary tale or as a fantastic true story to find things deeper then the material.

But there was nothing fantastic about it.... It was totaly boring and idiotic. What did he do?

Spoiler:

Hopped a train and got his ass kicked. Had some half ass romantic interest with an underage girl. Mooched off a senior citizen. Walked into the woods unprepared like a total jackass and starved to death.

. Lame. "Supertramp" what a joke.. The guy was a legend.... in his own mind.

[septim]

I enjoyed the movie and the performances were good. I thought the movie over-glorified Mccandless. I got a definite martyr vibe towards the end of the movie, it would have been better had it been more objective, just showing this kooky guy for what he was, rather than making him some hero of nature.

[junglalien]

Originally Posted by septim

just showing this kooky guy for what he was, rather than making him some hero of nature.

Exactly. Maybe I would have had sympathy if they potrayed him as delusional suffering from psychosis or clinical depression. They try to make him look like he had brains and was a hero that gave it all away for the greater good. Sean Penn blew it as far as I'm concerned.