On DVD: Into the Wild

 

 

Directed by Sean Penn

Starring Emile Hirsch, William Hurt, Marcia Gay Harden, Catherine Keener, Hal Holbrook

 

“The core of mans' spirit comes from new experiences.”

Christopher McCandless, played by Emile Hirsch

 

This was one of those films I wanted to see, but missed it when it played my local multiplex. Paramount Home Video recently released Into the Wild on DVD and I gave it a spin.

 

The Movie

 

Christopher Mc Candless (Emile Hirsch) graduates from college and has a few ideas of what he would like to do. Across the table at his graduation dinner, he tells his parents and sister Carine (William Hurt, Marcia Gay Harden, Jena Malone) that he might like to go to Harvard to law school. They seemed pleased but Christopher isn’t telling the truth. The truth is that he is about to burn all of his identification, get rid of all of his belongings except for his car, donate all of his money to charity and become Alexander Supertramp, a nomad that travels the world, living off of the wild and relying on his brain and braun to survive. He doesn’t speak to his parents or sister again.

 

Into the Wild tells the true story of Christopher McCandless. McCandless, a charismatic young man that definitely marched to the beat of his own drummer, and his adventures in the wild and those that he met in his life and those he affected.

 

 

The film does start off idyllic. After he abandons his car recently damaged in a flood, he meets a very nice hippie couple (Catherine Keener and Brian Dierker), who take him under his wing, and share some laughs. He has a profound affect on them and in turn, they affect Christopher.

 

He then winds up working for a grain farmer (Vince Vaughn) who can’t help but love the guy because he is a hard worker and a charming young man that simply wants to earn enough money to get some camping equipment so that he can make it to his dream adventure on the road: Alaska.

 

Christopher ambles the United States like a leaf blown on the breeze, coming in and out of people’s lives, sharing insights and good books read, maybe sharing a few laughs, drinks and some meals before he is trekking on down the road again.

 

He meets Ron Franz (Hal Holbrook) , an older man, retired from the military and now living alone and working with leather to pass the time. He sees Christopher as the son he never had and Christopher views him as much more sympathetic and understanding replacement for his conservative parents. The two learn a lot from each other until Christopher decides it is time to move on. Ron gives him some camping equipment and drops him off near a wildlife park in Alaska. It is the last time anyone will see Christopher.

 

 

The wonderful thing about this film is that it is not overly sentimental or sugar coated. It doesn’t present Christopher as a modern day hero or a starry eyed or misguided fool. It simply follows Christopher on his adventure and quite lovingly blends in Christopher’s own writing and thoughts about his adventures by inserting text seamlessly throughout the film.

 

The cinematography is breathtaking and the performances are all very subtle and nuanced. Emile Hirsch as Christopher is of particular note. Also, Hal Holbrook, who received an Oscar nod for his portrayal of Ron, is also first rate.

 

I can’t recommend this movie enough. The movie is a bit long and pacing can be a problem but there is so much here to love, it makes up for it. Into the Wild is a beautiful, insane, serene and sincere movie experience that you can’t miss.

 

8/10

 

The Video

 

Into the Wild is presented in anamorphic widescreen. It is simply a first rate transfer with vibrant colors, impressive black levels and no instances of grain or artifacts.

 

9/10

 

The Audio

 

Into the Wild is presented in Dolby Digital 5.1. The dialogue is crystal clear throughout and the soundtrack and ambient sounds of the wilds of Alaska sound great.

 

9/10

 

The Packaging and Bonus Features

 

The Two Disc Special Edition is presented in a two disc amaray case with a cardboard slipcover with a simple image of Emile Hirch’s portrayal of Christopher McCandless.

 

There are no special features on the first disc. On the second disc, there are two featurettes that run for a total of around 40 minutes. “The Story, The Characters” and the second featurette, “The Experience” provided interesting behind the scene interviews with cast and crew, discuss the sometimes difficult shooting locations and Emile’s dramatic performance. There is also some footage and photographs of the real Christopher McCandless and his family.

 

While these are entertaining and the audio and video presentation of the film is first rate, the two disc isn’t the most necessary of all purchases. You could be happy with the single disc version that is also released.

 

6.5/10

  

Overall (Not an Average) 8.5/10

The Review

The Movie 8/10

The Video 9/10

The Audio 8/10

The Packaging and Bonus Features 6.5/10

Overall (Not an Average) 8.5/10

 

Suzie Lackey