 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Into the Wild
- Review Date: March 2, 2008
- R
- Genre: Drama
- 2007
Common Sense Media says
Powerful, tragic true story is too heavy for kids.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this long (140 minutes) drama is based on the true story of a college graduate who decided to live off the grid for more than two years, culminating in a fatal four-month solo journey to the Alaskan backcountry. The tragic nature of his death might be too heavy a theme for younger kids, but teens -- some of whom may read the best-seller on which the film is based in school -- could be drawn to the story of a young man who seeks beauty and truth. There's some language (including "f--k") and social drinking, some bare breasts, a non-sexual glimpse of star Emile Hirsch's penis as he floats naked in a river, and another fleeting shot of a couple making love (no sensitive body parts shown).
What's the story?
Based on Jon Krakauer's nonfiction best-seller Into the Wild, Sean Penn's adaptation martyrs Christopher McCandless (Emile Hirsch) as an intelligent, idealistic, 24-year-old college graduate who gives his trust fund to Oxfam, burns the remainder of his cash, and takes off on an extended journey into the wilderness. Chris makes a life-changing impression on everyone he meets, including two hippies (Catherine Keener, Brian Dierker); a grain elevator foreman (Vince Vaughn); a 16-year-old folk singer (Kristen Stewart); and, most touchingly, a lonely elderly man (Hal Holbrook). Despite the seemingly deep human connections he fosters throughout his tramping days, Chris is single-mindedly focused on one goal: getting to Alaska and living off the land for a few months all by himself. In fact, he arrives there early in the film, camping out in a "magic" bus that had been parked long ago as a crude base camp; flashbacks fill in the two years leading up to that point. The back-and-forth between Chris' days in Alaska and his time as Alexander the hitchhiker is effective, poignantly reminding the viewer of the kind of big-hearted man he could have resumed being had he been able to walk back out of the wilderness.
Is it any good?
In real life, the cult of Christopher McCandless has little meaning to critics (mostly Alaskan) who believe that the idealistic 24-year-old wanderer basically committed suicide. Those who don't consider McCandless praiseworthy probably won't enjoy this film adaptation.
Whether or not you agree with the accuracy of the portrayal, it's fascinating -- beautiful, even -- to see a young man embark on his own hero's journey. Every performance in Penn's film is noteworthy. Hirsch, who's in practically every scene of the two-and-a-half-hour film, gives a startling, career-high performance--he fully embodies Chris. The excellent soundtrack features several songs by Eddie Vedder. But one of the most impressive triumphs of the movie is its gorgeous cinematography. The "simple beauty" Chris so cherishes in nature is perfectly captured. Even in his final moments (at least in the film), Chris -- now starved and emaciated -- has nature's beauty to comfort him. If only he could have told his story himself.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about whether knowing Chris' fate ahead of time affects the impact of the movie. If so, how? If not, why? Are movies based on real lives/true stories more interesting than those that are pure fiction? Families can also discuss how you feel about Chris after watching the movie. What honorable/admirable things did he accomplish? How did he impact the people he came to know on the road? On the other hand, did he treat his parents and sister fairly? Should he have contacted his family?
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AGE
Primary Message Probably Lost on Most Viewers
I know that my review is contradictory, because my concern is about the message of the film, and one of the highlights is also the message of the film. This is because it is clear from the reviews above that one of the primary messages of the film is lost on people who are watching it.
I think one of the most powerful messages that this story teaches is that while there is beauty and adventure to be found in nature, the real natural world is even harsher and more unforgiving than the industrial world, and the same struggle of power and greed repeat themselves--to and even more astonishing degree--in the natural world. In fact, Chris' assertion towards the end of the the film that true happiness is not found in human interactions is quickly dashed to pieces after 4 months in the Alaskan wilderness, at which point he writes that happiness is only possible when shared, or something to that extent.
The film truly highlights the power of human interaction, and that enjoying nature fully can only be achieved when we have the support and love of other humans around us.
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AGE
LOVE IT
awesome movie. i watched it when i was 11 and it did not effect me but this movie is for older teens. love it so so much i love the song kristen sings in the movie again love love love love love love love love love this movie
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AGE
One of the years bests
For starters this is a great movie probably the best of 2007. It wont be very appealing to younger teens because the movie seems very slow at points but in the end it makes it that much better. This is also one of the few movies that lives up to the book.
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AGE
lovvvvvvvvve it
i abosutley loooooooooovvvvvveeeeedddddd this movie it was sad tho
icried through like half the movie
but overall it was a great movie
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AGE
100% Fantastic
Great movie. One the the best and most inspirational movies I have ever seen. Chris's story is amazing and very unique. The people he meets and the places he visits are very interesting and really make you see the beauty in our world. The music by Eddie Vedder fits the movie perfectly. I loved watching Chris as he transformed and saw all these things that impacted him like the God mural out in the desert. It is a joy to try to figure out how his mind works and what you would do if you were in his situation. It makes you wonder "Could I ever do that?", "Would I ever do that."
This movie just makes you want to follow our beloved Supertramp "into the wild."
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AGE
A powerful and tragic movie
Wow. Wow. Wow. These are the only words that my lips could produce after seeing this beautifully tragic and altogether moving film. (I'm terrible with names and haven't seen this for a while, so I'll try my best) It tells the story of Chris (?), a 20-something college graduate who is destined for Harvard (or was it Stanford?). He has outstanding grades, seemingly endless money, and stuffy parents; the perfect Harvard (Stanford) formula. When his parents give him a arge sum of money as a graduation present, he is apalled. He sees it perfectly fine to drive an old car and is happy with the diploma he has, to his parents' strong disapproval. As his Harvard (Stanford) days near, Chris (?) decides to burn his money, destroy his credit cards, take off his license plates, and change his name (though not legally). He starts out for the Alaskan wilderness, and meets many friends along the way. These include a flamboyant hippie couple, a dutch couple who long to see Mexico and a farmer (Vince Vaughn) who is in trouble with the law. As many know, Chris's journey ends tragically, with him dying of starvation, but that doesn't make the film feel depressing or gloomy. My only complaint is this: Chris (?) never forgave his parents,and acts in an EXTREMELY immature matter toward them, though he advises others to forgive and forget, making him something of a hypocrite. As far as content, there's really nothing TOO suggestive here: there's some non-sexual nudity (full frontal, though) and brief strong language. So, 12 year-olds, probably not (I was fine) but anyone older should be fine and to those of you older, SEE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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AGE
Great movie but tragic
I would not recommend it for my age. I only watched it because I love Emile hirsch and i did really well in school. Very sad movie but Emile hirsch is an amazing actor
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AGE
Really good and thought provoking movie but not for kids
This movie is very, very good, but it is very mature and has some dark undertones. There is some pretty strong language that is used throughout and some nudity several times as well. There is also some thematic material that may be too heavy for younger kids to handle. However, it is an excellent movie, and I think you really get more out of it when you are old enough to understand it.
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| Studio: | Paramount Vantage |
| Director: | Sean Penn |
| Cast: | Emile Hirsch, Marcia Gay Harden, William Hurt |
| Genre: | Drama |
| Run time: | 153 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | September 21, 2007 |
| DVD release date: | March 3, 2008 |
| MPAA rating: | R |
| MPAA explanation: | language and some nudity. |
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