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Into the Wild [2007] | ![Into the Wild [2007]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51c4v3n9qWL._SL160_.jpg)
 enlarge | Director: Sean Penn
Actors: Emile Hirsch, Marcia Gay Harden, William Hurt, Jena Malone, Catherine Keener
Studio: Paramount Home Entertainment (UK)
Category: DVD
List Price: £19.99
Buy New: £6.98
You Save: £13.01 (65%)
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Rating:  35 reviews
Format: Pal
Languages: English (Unknown), English (Original Language)
Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Region: 2
Number Of Discs: 1
Running Time: 143 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
EAN: 5014437942531
ASIN: B000YIAXJ6
Theatrical Release Date: January 31, 2008
Release Date: March 10, 2008
Shipping: Eligible for Super Saver Shipping
Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.co.uk Review
A superb cast and an even-handed treatment of a true story buoy Into the Wild, Sean Penn's screen adaptation of Jon Krakauer's bestselling book. Emile Hirsch stars as Christopher McCandless, scion of a prosperous but troubled family who, after graduating from Atlanta's Emory University in the early 1990s, decides to chuck it all in and become a self-styled "aesthetic voyager" in search of "ultimate freedom." He certainly doesn't do it by halves: after donating his substantial savings account to charity and literally torching the rest of his cash, McCandless changes his name (to "Alexander Supertramp"), abandons his family (William Hurt and Marcia Gay Harden as his bickering, clueless parents and Jena Malone as his baffled but loving sister, who relates much of the back-story in voice-over), and hits the road, bound for the Alaskan bush and determined not to be found. For the next two years he lives the life of a vagabond, working a few odd jobs, kayaking through the Grand Canyon into Mexico, landing on L.A.'s Skid Row, and turning his back on everyone who tries to befriend him (including Catherine Keener and Brian Dierker as two kindly, middle-aged hippies and Hal Holbrook in a deeply affecting performance as an old widower who tries to take "Alex" under his wing). Penn, who directed and wrote the screenplay, alternates these interludes with scenes depicting McCandless' Alaskan idyll--which soon turns out be not so idyllic after all. Settling into an abandoned school bus, he manages to sustain himself for a while, shooting small game (and one very large moose), reading, and recording his existential musings on paper. But when the harsh realities of life in the wilderness set in, our boy finds himself well out of his depth, not just ill-prepared for the rigors of day to day survival but realising the importance of the very thing he wanted to escape--namely, human relationships. It'd be easy to either idealise McCandless as a genuinely free spirit, unencumbered by the societal strictures that tie the rest of us down, or else dismiss him as a hopelessly callow naif, a fool whose disdain for practical realities ultimately doomed him. Into the Wild does neither, for the most part telling the tale with an admirable lack of cheap sentiment and leaving us to decide for ourselves. --Sam Graham
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| Customer Reviews:
 Ouch... March 17, 2008
MORTEN AASTAD (Oslo Norway)
19 out of 20 found this review helpful
I have to say at first I came to this film through Eddie Vedder (big Pearl Jam fan), and I'm very happy I did.
I just watched the movie on DVD, and I have read all the other reviews here, which are much better than mine as far as going into details about the film, great camera work, the history behind the story, Sean Penn's ultimate vision and so on. So I'll just convey what this film did to my emotions, while the bruises to my senses are still raw.
I was expecting to have a tough time watching this. Like most people who watched it, I knew the outcome, and felt I was prepared... I wasn't.
I really liked this kid, and I felt in a way, what he felt as he went along exploring, whatever it is he felt he had to explore. In getting me along for the ride, this movie works on every level. And the way it brings us back to that buss, little by little, while telling the story leading up to it, jerks you in and out of danger so to speak, so when the final breath is exhaled, you, or atleast I, felt like I was right there, helpess and unable to stop this from happening. And that's the crux of the whole thing to me, now, 12-15 minutes after the end credits. And when a movie does that to you... It's a work of pure art.
To me.
As for all the rest. I loved this actor, I loved the others, the hippie couple, the young girl, the old man, Vince Vaughn, the danish couple (I'm half danish, so thanks Sean, for having real danish people speak real danish in your movie!) and the sisters narrating.
And on top of it all, there's Eddie Vedder, and it's just so good!
Thank you for leaving my feelings raw like an exposed nerve. Feels good to be alive.
A proper film November 17, 2007
T. A. Underwood
14 out of 19 found this review helpful
Based on true events this film depicts the unique life of 23 year old Chris McCandless who turns his back on comtemporary society which he see's as greedy, materialistic, and cold-hearted. He instead chooses to live in the wild and live with nature rather than with fellow man. This see's him live with hippies, live in Dakota and finally live in the Alaskan wilderness by himself. He certainly comes across as an idealist, selfish and slightly nieve, but you can't help but admire his pure motives and desire to live a different kind of life.
It is a great movie depiction by Penn, as he no doubt wishes he was like this as a youth! Emile Hirsch gives a fantastic performance and the supporting cast are superb, especially Vince Vaughan's cameo apperance. The film is more like a documentary at times and the scenery is stunning and rivals any American scenery celebrated in films such as 'The Deer Hunter' and 'Deliverance'. Apart from a few self-conscious sentimental moments, which are a bit cringe-worthy, this film succeeds amazingly well in telling the inspiring and tragic life of Chris.
The folky - Americana soundtrack is spot on too (Vedder from Parl Jam).
I liked this film a lot, it was very thought provoking but the ending really is hard to watch and very gritty. You have been warned! The realisation hits Chris when he writes in his diary 'happiness is shared' and signs his real name as a symbolic gesture that he now, when it is too late, realises that happiness comes from other people and not from inward soul seeking.
This is without doubt one of the best films of the year, if not the 'noughties', and also raises alot of interesting issues about the world we live in today. Go watch it!
Happiness Is Only Real When Shared November 22, 2007
Omnipotent (The Tangent Universe)
11 out of 13 found this review helpful
Sean Penn's film 'Into The Wild', based on true events and a best-selling book, will haunt viewers long after the final credits have rolled. A recent College graduate, disillusioned by his parents' materialism and duplicity, Christopher McCandless heads off on a soul searching journey, with the goal of eventually reaching Alaska. Once he has officially removed himself from society, by abandoning his car, burning his money, and erasing his identity, he wanders into the wilderness to live off the land. The ensuing road movie details the various encounters that he has over the months and years, on his journey to self-discovery. Although Christopher has lost faith in human relationships, he meets and seemingly bonds with a number of people, all of whom take to the engaging, often charming, young man and try to help him. However, he unsentimentally severs his bonds with each, although they apparently have developed feelings and care for him. Rejecting friendship, Christopher seemingly has no romantic feelings or sexual desires either, and he rejects the one overture that is explicitly made.
McCandless's wanderings, eventually take him into the Alaskan wilderness, where he takes shelter in an old abandoned bus, and manages to survive on fish and game. The film flashes back and forth between this time and earlier episodes. Emile Hirsch fills the physically demanding role of Christopher and plays it exceptionally well, and among the people Christopher encounters, Catherine Keener and Hal Holbrook stand out as a mature earth mother and lonely widower, respectively.
With both the screenplay and direction to his credit, Sean Penn has fashioned an outstanding adaptation of Jon Krakauer's book, and will most likely receive an Oscar nomination for it.
 Pretentious February 27, 2008
B.
11 out of 15 found this review helpful
There are elements of Into The Wild that are stylistically brilliant. Take, for example, Emile Hirsch's portrayal of Christopher McCandless- a college graduate eager to shed his old life in an (extreme) quest to find himself. McCandless could have been an easy role to overact, but to Hirsch's credit, he delivered a subtle, refined performance. The supporting cast was excellent as well, with special kudos to Hal Holbrook as a lonely old man trying to guide McCandless (or is it McCandless who's guiding him?). Even the soundtrack (engineered by the always superb Eddie Vedder) is spot-on perfect.
So that's the good.
The bad? Sean Penn's heavy-handed approach to film-making. I was really expecting to like... no, scratch that... love Into The Wild. The book was excellent, and the concept of leaving behind life as you know it in order to live every minute - of every hour - of every day to its fullest is heady stuff indeed. Still, I couldn't get past the hauteur that permeated what would otherwise have been a great film.
Sean Penn (who likes to bill himself as 'everyman') is about as down to earth & average joe as Prince during his 'artist formerly known as' phase; resulting in Into The Wild... with its haikus to peace, love and freedom... feeling over the top and preachy.
In fact, at certain points the film had such a beatnik vibe that I felt pressured to don a beret & snap.
Into the Wild March 27, 2008
R. C. Palmer (England)
9 out of 10 found this review helpful
I've never bothered to review a film before but the powerful film, Into the Wild, motivated me to do so. One of the best films I have ever seen - powerful, thought proking, sad, beautiful.
Yes it is long, but you become lost in it and its meanings. Oh and it is a true story.
A*****
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