 | 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. |
The Wild
- Review Date: September 5, 2006
- G
- Genre: Family and Kids
- 2006
Common Sense Media says
Unoriginal, sometimes scary animated animal movie for kids.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that film includes some scenes where the lion cub is frightened by noises, darkness, and a storm at sea. The primary villains are hostile, shadowy wildebeests who perform "African" ritual dances and chants, with comic choreography, and announce an intention to seize power by becoming "predators" and "carnivores." Their efforts to eat the other characters lead to a conflict. The wildebeests live in a volcano cave, so lighting is red and fiery; eventually the volcano explodes and the friends barely escape (some tension created). A squirrel with a crush on a female giraffe makes a couple of sexual references (he rides a goose "bareback" and uses this moment to make a sexual advance toward her; he considers his size in comparison to the giraffe). The father lion lies to his son about his own past, and must eventually confess and be forgiven. Characters are stereotyped by nationality or ethnicity: a Canadian goose says "Eh"; an "East Indian" pigeon speaks with accent and dances as if in a Bollywood movie; a British koala bear is snobbish.
What's the story?
In THE WILD, Samson (Kiefer Sutherland) and son Ryan (Greg Cipes) live in a NYC zoo, fed every day and surrounded by friends -- a squirrel named Benny (James Belushi), sensible giraffe Bridget (Janeane Garofalo), a koala called Nigel "from the streets of London" (Eddie Izzard), and goofy snake Larry (Richard Kind). By day they perform for human visitors; by night they leave their cages and head to the ice rink. Ryan brings on a life-changing crisis when he hides out in a container used to ship animals. Arriving at the gate just in time to see his son being hauled off and screaming "Help me!", Sam decides to find out where the truck is headed, threatening a pigeon, the jittery and heavily accented Hamir: "Just tell me where the green boxes go!" he hisses. The friends make their way to an island jungle, where they are threatened by a tribe of real wildebeests, led by the ambitious Kazar (William Shatner in full-on bluster).
Is it any good?
The Wild follows yet another animated father and son, both wanting earnestly to win over the other. In fact, every element of the movie is recognizable from another, better one: The father must rescue his missing son (Finding Nemo). A group of city zoo animals travel to a jungle (Madagascar, not exactly better, just first). The bad characters perform "tribal" rituals and threaten violence (take your pick, including The Lion King and King Kong).
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the ways that both father and son learn from one another. How do the friends each contribute a talent or specific energy to the adventure, so the movie can offer lessons in diversity and generosity?
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AGE
BORING!
I think this movie is just dumb. I was just really bored! The story
is about penguins skating on ice. This movie is pretty dang dumb.
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AGE
Not Worth It
Pros: The animation was spectacular, there were maybe 6 funny moments.
Cons: Copied plot (Madagascar), very frightening imagery, animals were constantly wacking each other on the head/face. Lack of humor.
My biggest surprise was to see that it took four screenwriters to construct this horribly boring, poorly written script. We took our 4 and 7 yr old girls and couldn't wait until it was over. The antagonist creatures are scary and while the animation was great, it just lacked cute moments and fun dance sequences that Madagascar included. Not even worth renting.
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AGE
Boring
Well this movie is just OK. It's mostly like Madagascar adn Lion King. The only good part about this movie is the animation. I was watching it w/ my mom becuz she likes these kinds of movies and I lost everything that happended it got really boring and when someone is lost it's just not like panicing enough like you would do if one of your family is missing. But this is a good kid's movie and family. I would recommend this to 4 or older.
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AGE
super funny for kids who arnt scared and can enjoy the humor!
I personally thought it was a gig of that really annoying Madagascar film. It turned
to be extremely funny with the squirrel hitting on the giraffe and the koala was absolutely hilarious. When they got to the jungle, there was no stupid singing bush-babies to make your retarded kids laugh and you sit there in embarrassment. The only Thing that I was concerned about
was it was to short. It ended way to soon and i was hoping for them to do more silly stuff. If the children are not too scarred they can enjoy the wildebeests humor. FUNNY FOR PARENTS. Let the kids have a laugh.
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AGE
super-super funny
i mean this is the best movie on the planet i mean the whole family enjoyed it aspecialy my little brother he was like "this is a amazing movie let's see it again let's see it again" and it's completely appropriate exceptt for the part when the koala say's uh guys i've got popcorn up my bum and when the dungbeettle say's dung makes strong buns.i think that that is crude and obnoxious.but anyway this is one for the whole family
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Kid, 12 years old
July 28, 2011
AGE
It's a cute underated movie
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AGE
we waqlked out
my kids, age 11 and 8, both wanted to leave this film in the middle of it. It was very uncomfortabale for them to sit thru. I do not recommned this film for anycild under the age of 13. Do not waste your money.
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Kid, 12 years old
April 4, 2011
AGE
Another stupid talking animal movie!
Does this movie even look good? Terrible! I am totally sick of movies with talking animals! But I do like madagascar. This movie just ruins disney! I hate the story. I fall asleep whenever I see this movie, do you know why? It is so stupid and it is a very boring movie!
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AGE
Good "Don't Lie" Message
There is some consumerism; with stuff like Toys R Us and Kodak, but the father learns that lying is not the best thing in the world.
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| Topics: | adventures, wild animals |
| Studio: | Buena Vista |
| Director: | Steve Spaz Williams |
| Cast: | James Belushi, Janeane Garofalo, Kiefer Sutherland |
| Genre: | Family and Kids |
| Run time: | 94 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | April 14, 2006 |
| DVD release date: | September 12, 2006 |
| MPAA rating: | G |
| MPAA explanation: | all audiences |
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