laura_macleod

(2012-04-30 01:17:50)

A testimony to a very human dilemma and the true land of America

First of all this movie is fantastic and Sean Penn and his team haveexcelled. The acting of Hirsch and all the actors in this film isfaultless. Into the Wild is a magnificent film on many levels. It dealswith the fundamental problem of many young people in modern societythat are over indulged and have everything at their fingertips as faras being 'successful' yet their mental problems and dysfunctionalfamilies leave a stain on their psyche that leads them into severedifficulties. This young man could have just as easily gone in tocrime, drugs or alcohol with his hang ups and inability to deal withhis problems but instead he choose to leave society and become a hobotravelling around the magnificent land of America and surviving formonths on end. Of course it could have been seen as a selfish act andyet it was a young man coming to terms with himself and finding natureas the only thing that could help him. He did form relationships withpeople along the way but he was not able to really commit to anyone andI did not see that as a fault but something admirable. He did carry aspecial energy in himself - whether it was his vulnerability that madepeople love him or his strength it is hard to say; there was acombination there for sure. Into The Wild is so beautifulcinematographically; Sean Penn is a master film maker and the movieexcels in every visual way as well as never making anything thathappens trivial or without sensitivity. This film portrays the realbeauty of the land of America and also shows the banality of city lifeand the fruitless existence that humans can carve out for themselves.By the time the young man comes to terms with himself he has puthimself into a very dangerous position and this is portrayed in a wayto make the viewer understand everything about this young man withoutwords and merely using scenery and the power of the directing and theacting - it is marvellous. This a rare film and a must see testimony toAmerica, the dilemma of our human frailty and the superb acting anddirecting deserved awards at the Oscars which unfortunately it missedout on.

Jay Harris

(2012-04-29 05:24:23)

There is good & bad in this movie.

Maybe its because I am much older than many film goers.I cannot overlypraise this film , as some have.The good things first. The production, IT IS EXCELLENTBeautiful cinematography,excellent settings,costumes etc.A very good song score & marvelous acting by all concernedNow the other side of the coin. It is overly long, 148 minutes is about40 minutes too long.The lead character -Chris- is not a likable young man. He is a selfishlad who doesn't even let his parents or his sister know if he is OK.Granted the parents were dysfunctional BUT at least care enough to letthem know you are OK every so often.Emile Hirsch does a superb job as Chris, I just did not care about himor that he perishes.Sean Penn, wrote & directed in his usual fine style. The acting isexcellent by all.This is enough to give the film a passing grade, I expected MORE.Ratings *** (out of 10) 84 points (out of 100) IMDb 7 (out of 10)

bruce-129

(2012-04-28 17:33:58)

Real art is not a form, it creates its own form

I have never seen a movie like this before. Just to be clear, this is aunique amazing movie, but mostly it is the story and the man that makesthe movie. One can wonder about the reality of this movie and this man,but something amazing happened in this guy's life in his short 24 yearson planet Earth.Go see the movie before you read the rest of this or any of the mostlyidiotic posts always present on IMDb, this movie demands it, and youcertainly deserve it. Even if it rubs you the wrong way, it is a veryhuman movie, and a very human experience to watch it.Christopher McCandless was a puzzle, obviously, at least to us theviewers of this presentation of his life. He has a pull towardsconfronting nature and reality in the form of nature. Probably hisphilosophical side, and probably his disappointment in people, thepeople closest to him, his family, the people who gave him theirreality.Christopher apparently wanted to make his own reality, and this iswhere I can relate to him as a human being. He got caught. It was toomuch for him ... just so barely though it looks like. What would he belike today if he had lived? Does the myth and the meaning to the restof us only have power because he died? He died so alone, and yet heknew love and life and had the courage to live like few people.Very great movie, all the great contributions from everywhere cametogether to create a really powerful movie. This kid gets in your headand you share his life with him, he becomes part of all of us ...thepart we do not have the guts to live, and the part that led to hisdemise too, or might have led elsewhere.The picture of Christopher at the end shows what must have been areally great human being. Thanks for existing, and thanks to all whobrought this man to life for the rest of us.

Cavachee

(2012-04-28 12:24:28)

Great movie

This was truly an incredible movie, and carried many things I've foundlacking with recent movies. I only had two real problems with thisfilm; 1. The ending, which over looked the fact that It wasn't the berriesthat killed him, but mold that grew on them, from being stored in theplastic bag. It's a small detail, but it didn't make much sense to methat he would read the book 'after' he ate the berries.2. It wasn't playing in any local theaters. With some of the moviesthat have been coming out lately, it's a real shame that they couldn'tfit this into more. Mostly because this movie was by far one of thebest I've seen lately, and I wouldn't want people to miss out on it.So If you haven't seen it yet, It's WELL worth the drive to a theatershowing it... And I really didn't spoil that much, considering the bookSTARTS with his death

Tiago Rosa

(2012-04-27 14:09:53)

My favorite movie

Hello, this is my first review.I'm not American, i am Portuguese (From Portugal, not Brasil), so sorryif you don't understand my English.This movie for me is the greatest film ever, i think the actor wasperfect. And i've to congratulate Sean Pean for directed this one.I watch myself in this movie, cause the point of the "boy" is to befree, liberty.I think the final is brutal but awesome, it's different.I can't read the book, because doesn't exist in Portugal.The story it's perfect, i don't understand why this movie doesn't havewon an Oscar...I'll love it forever and see it so many times. :D By by

(2012-04-26 15:54:29)

The True Great Escape

This movie is a great look at the rebellion and confusion of a person out of college and tired of the pressures and conformity of society. It brings a beautiful and in-depth look into the mind of a young man not sure what he wants to do with is life, but pretty sure what he doesn't want. I thought it was phenomenal especially if you wonder if the grass is greener on this other side of untamed life. A young male's mind will relate with his stuggles and envy his passion for pursuing his "truth." A bit long for some, I absolutely enjoyed this wonder film and at this point in my life, I couldn't relate more.

shaungreenly

(2012-04-21 23:56:41)

One of best movies I have ever seen.

This movie is truly wonderful for so many different and significantreasons. First of all the dialogue is well put together and the actingby Emile Hirsch is superb. Sean Penn did a masterful job in bothdirecting and partially writing this film. I love how Chris is willingto take life outside the box and truly be whom he wants to be. Thisyoung man had it all so to speak, a university degree, driven parentsand athleticism. However, deep inside his sole this was not hisdestiny. This film is a groundbreaking piece and is very inspiring andengaging. It makes us truly ponder about what really makes us contentas human beings. The film teaches us to follow our own hearts and notto be pushed by what we think is right by outside influences. My adviceis take this film for what it is, not for what you want it to be andyou will enjoy it immensely, that I assure you.

rraffertyjeremy

(2012-04-21 12:58:22)

So excited to see this movie!

I have been waiting for this! I was so taken by the book and hopedthere would be a movie. There is just something mysterious about Christhat makes you want to get in to his head and understand more abouthim. He was someone who had a dream and had enough courage to go afterit. LIke many of us never do. Its just a shame it couldn't have had ahappier ending. Looking forward to see this. ITs looks like it wasamazingly done. Its looks as though it will capture everything I feltwhen reading the book. Honestly I coudn't book that book down. I wantedto bad to know what happened in the end. I still sometimes can't fullygrasp what was so intriguing about Chris.His passion for life and toexplore and learn and see more ahd like I said, having the courage thatmost of us don't, to actually get out there and do it. I hope hisfamily is happy with the movie.

(2012-04-21 08:56:29)

Great movie, two problems

First and foremost, the scenery, story, and acting in this movie is top-notch. From Sean Penn's vision of how Christopher McCandless lives his life and searched for his goal, to Emile Hirsch's protrayal of the man's life, it's very compelling.As for the movie, Christopher (Hirsch) is a young man with the hubris of youth, the free-spirit of someone without responsibility, and the wherewithal of a privileged family. Because of a slightly dysfuncational family life, a strong disdain for much of what contemporary society has become - something with which I can strongly related, and the desire to find the aesthetic quality in every day life, Christopher leaves it all behind. He eschews money (he actually sets fire to his last few remaining dollars), possession, and just about every other modern convenience in search ofAlong the way he changes his name to Alexander Supertramp in honor of not only the lifestyle but also his desire for anonymity. His voyage to Alaska was full of adventure, finding random jobs, kayaking the entire Grand Canyon into Mexico, and meeting some interesting people along the way.Eventually he finds an abandoned school bus and calls it home. It's just enough shelter for him to make it base-camp, where he can forage and hunt small game. He spends the rest of the time reading, writing, and reflecting. The first major problem I have with this movie is the fact that he was so nice to so many, but had such an irrational hatred of his family. I can understand his hesitancy to be close to his father, but he tortured his mother and sister out of pure ignorance and selfishness. The second problem I have with the movie is the message. The majority of the film is a buildup, a message, an insight into his joy and freedom. And then, in the end, the message changes. Not only was his original concept foolhardy, but the lesson he learned was that he was completely wrong. The essence of what he wanted to escape from was eventually the precise thing he craved. It's easy to picture Alexander Supertramp as the free-wheeling, nature-loving, soul on a quest for enlightenment if he didn't end up looking like a utterly naГЇve young man who lost his life unnecessarily.

valadas

(2012-04-20 22:14:24)

Happiness only real when shared

That's what the movie hero writes in his diary in the end. This movietells the story of a young man who after graduating in university withvery high marks decides to abandon home, family and everything and goto live into the wild in Alaska like if it was his promised land. He ispushed into that not only but what they call the lies of moderncivilized life and social hypocrisy but also because, thinking likethat, he is particularly hurt by his parents lies about their pastprivate lives. While the movie progresses we hear his sister's voiceoff stressing the most important moments and aspects of his life. In myopinion the message the movie wants to pass is that there is a mistaketo show revolt against society by running away to live with Nature andalone. In his course to Alaska our hero (who walks and hitch-hikes allthe time) stops sometimes here and there to get occasional works thatcan give him a little money to enable him to support himself on hiscourse. In those moments he creates bonds of friendship and love withlots of people but always rejects any possibilities of staying withthem in his stubborn march to Alaska where he wants to spend at least agreat part of his life in contact only with Mother Nature. He leaveslots of people who have become very fond of him, very unhappy with hisabsence. Mother nature is not always paradisiacal and may also be verycruel sometimes and even violent. And for instance the wild food itprovides can be poisonous. Adding to the movie's credit are thebeautiful landscape images and the splendid background music and songsof the country type.

tonymurphylee

(2012-04-07 08:23:26)

This film is fantastic

As much as I want to, I don't want to say exactly what makes this filmwonderful to me. It's tough, but I can only say that it is perfect in away that I can't explain. INTO THE WILD is the kind of film I just wantto cherish and admire and keep to myself all at the same time. It's thekind of film that really just gets me in a much more personal way thanusual. It's the kind of film that I don't want to just spend timepraising for fear that it may lose effect just from thinking about howgood it is. It's the kind of film that I only want to share with peoplewho are close to me. I loved this story about a guy who decides toescape from it all just so that he can be one with the world. It issuch a haunting and beautiful story. One that I just want to take homewith me and share.

(2012-04-07 04:14:32)

above average

Overall the DVD was in great condition, and was shipped in good time. The only thing I wasnt really a fan of is the library stickers all over the case and one one the DVD. Other than that, thank you.

pc95

(2012-03-31 01:34:50)

Brilliant Photography, interesting story, very POOR music

I doubt most people made a fuss about this; had non-obstructive musicbeen chosen for this film, it would've been a much better movie. As itis, it's a compelling narrative with exceedingly colorful photographyand some excellent stop-motion interspersed. Characters of the filmseem plausible, simple, and down-to-earth. The lead character "AlexSuperTramp" is stubbornly determined. Also Dialog was succinct,sometimes poignant....and actual narration expository. However It'sbecoming more and more disappointing to declare movies problematic dueto music. Not all the music in Into the Wild was gratingly irritating,but many of the interlude cuts were totally subtractive. The last thingI wanna hear is MTV-type framed folksy stylized singing littering overa film like bad garbage. At least half a dozen interludes wereinterlaced with it - enough of a problem that the fast-forward wasbutton got used. Why cant directors, stick to real dialog? Or employmusic as an enhancement rather than a forced interpretation. Melodiesduring motion pictures are fouled by lyrics - these aren'tcommercials!! Anyway, somewhat of a letdown for how good it should'vebeen minus the music cut-overs.

(2012-03-30 03:22:03)

Good Condition

I received the product just as described by the seller. I was pleased with the condition.

bobsgrock

(2012-03-25 12:34:15)

An inspirational piece of work.

Sean Penn, one of the finest actors of this decade, has put together amasterful work filled with incredible images and a touching story thatspeaks to us all about the basic essentials of life. Into the Wildtells the story of Chris McCandless, a successful college graduate whogives his money away to charity and goes on a journey heading towardsthe wild, beautiful nature of Alaska. His thinking stems from his homelife, which was not that stable as a child. His parents foughtconstantly, and the alienation he felt from them only drove him toalienate himself from everybody else. He thrives by himself and doessurvive quite well for awhile. While traveling across the Americanwest, he encounters a married couple of hippies, lovingly played byBrian Dieker and Catherine Keener, a young girl who falls for him,played by the remarkable Kristen Stewart, a corrupt farmer played byVince Vaughn, and a lonely old man, portrayed by Hal Holbrook in anOscar-nominated role.All these people influence Chris and he influences them. Penn pacesthis just right and constantly moves back and forth between the climaxof the journey and the events leading up to it. By the time Chrisactually plans to head straight for Alaska, we feel he's seen enough.He feels he hasn't. Chris is a young, idealistic, headstrong young manwho wants to follow in the steps of his heroes: authors Tolstoy,London, and Thoreau. He wants to live off the land, alone, with no needto have contact with society, which he basically shuns. Us beingsociety, it is hard at times to agree with him, but we also are drawnto him, as are most other people in the film. We want him to succeed,but just like Chris, we don't quite know what he is looking for outthere. It may be peace, or freedom, or maybe simply God. Whatever itis, it's something bigger than himself, and he dies in the process.Despite this downcast ending, Sean Penn has made a remarkable film. Thescreenplay goes on a bit too long at times, but the direction isperfect. The cinematography is gorgeous, perfectly capturing theawesome beauty of nature not just in Alaska, but wherever Chris goes.This is a powerful piece of work that is nothing short ofinspirational. If there is any film from 2007 you look up, it should bethis one. It will motivate you to live life to the fullest and findthat, "Happiness is best when shared." Just like Chris.

(2012-03-25 06:53:39)

wild about this movie

This review is from: Into the Wild (DVD) This movie will make you ask yourself two questions. First is Would I go to such extremes to escape my reality/life? and Second Am I this delusional about my dreams of living in the wilderness? If both answers are yes then somebody needs to lock yourself up and throw away the key. Seriously the film will show you the downward spiral of a young guy's hopes and dreams. Sean Penn is a genious when it comes to choosing his projects, this one is no exception.This story will make you think about your own life and how you plan to live it after you've seen this movie, mainly think about the value of human life in regards to wasting it with crazy dreams. I say crazy because I imagine the real life guy whose this movie is inspired/based on was, or probably was, mentally disturbed. This is just my opinion of course.Now in regards to the acting in the film all I can say is Emile Hirsch was superb. Marcia Gay Harden and William Hurt are both Oscar winners and they never dissapoint, their acting was spellbinding, cringeworthy and mindblowing.I bought the movie to check out Kristen Stewart's small albeit beautiful role. She portrays perfect innocence and wild allure in her character. Kristen never dissapoints when it comes to her indie films long career.

sonick_yooth

(2012-03-22 07:42:18)

Happiness only real when shared

Have you ever felt stifled by society, weary of your mundane, routinelives, of that constant paradigm of modern life: finish school-find ajob- earn money so you don't starve. Then earn some more money, butnever quite enough. Then have a wife and kids and be supposedly happy.And then die and that is it, no second chances sailor. Have you everbeen a Supertramp? At least inside your mind and your imagination? Everwanted to burn all the bridges that weigh you down to society, likebricks tied to your legs, to give up on all of the pain and irritationof steel and glass cities, on mind numbing television, on stupid peopleand their stupid, pointless lives? Have you ever wanted to do it?Follow him then, let him show you the way, let your mind free and breedin Alaskan air, get high on life with old hippies. Just don't forget:happiness only real when shared...

cbernz

(2012-03-21 09:27:27)

Penn takes tedium, predictability, cheese, and rhetoric to new heights

Having read many excellent negative reviews of this movie, I figured Ishould try to come up with a positive one. While I hated the moviemyself, I can honestly highly recommend "Into the Wild" to certainpeople under certain conditions."Into the Wild" would make an excellent teaching tool for filmprofessors to show their students what not to do when making a film. Itturns out to be a pretty comprehensive survey. The egregious overuse ofalternative camera techniques is a good cautionary tale. Folks who wantto see some nostalgic camera angles that haven't been used since theoriginal "Batman" series might be particularly pleased. Also, sincethere is at least 60 minutes of unnecessary footage left in the film bythe editors, you could use this as an opportunity to have students editthe movie themselves.There are endless opportunities for party games you could invent aroundthis movie. Have your party guests take a drink every time there's acheesy camera shot or redundant voice-over or caption. You can alsoplay "mute the film and guess the dialogue." Whoever comes closest tothe actual dialogue wins, and whoever can't predict what is being saidat all gets thrown out of the party.Other reviewers have already mentioned the movie's potential as a sleepaid. I don't know if I would go that far, but I think "Into the Wild"would make a great background to working out. There is something aboutwatching a movie make the same point over and over for over 2 hours, tobad music, that reminds me of the rigors of exercise. Repetition, pain,fatigue, and ultimately relief that it's over.

Lizzy

(2012-03-13 03:05:16)

Shocked

I don't usually watch movies like this, but I walked into a room lastand it was on. I honestly had no idea what I was looking at except thatI saw Vince Vaughn and Emile Hirche (I'm sure that is spelled wrong).Into the Wild was spectacular, breathtaking and compelling to say theleast. I sat and watched it with my home girls and we were all threeenthralled by it. The messages behind the movie, the acting done byJohnny Truelove, it was outstanding. The only thing I'd ever heard ofthe movie is that older gentleman was nominated for an Oscar, and it'sa shame he didn't win it, I was pushed to tears at the end of hisperformance. I highly recommend this movie to anybody, its a movie tomake you think about your life. I was shocked.

Noah Kadner

(2012-03-12 23:16:49)

Arrogant, selfish, myopic and stubborn.

As a parent who's reasonably liberal and open-minded I was neverthelessrepulsed by the incredibly self-serving main character and directorSean Penn's unsubtle and cloying anti-government/anti-commercialistbent. McCandless may have been a straight-a student but he didn't learna bloody thing in college. The writings of Byron, London, Tolstoy,Thoreau i.e. are taught as a jumping off point towardself-determination and adulthood. They are not meant to be literallyemulated as lifestyles.And the ridiculous conceit of a 24 year old lecturing an elderly man toopen up and go live his life underscores the primary issue with thismovie, a misanthropic and deluded main character. Acting was decentenough but I could not for a moment get into the story or theperformance due to my disconnect. In scene after scene, I wasconstantly reminded of the agony McCandless put his poor parents andsister through. Sure they made some mistakes in bringing him up butwho's perfect in this world? It would have cost him nothing to simplylet them know he was still alive and on 'walk-about' or whatever hethought his pointless odyssey signified. Or at least given them thechance to say good-bye.Ultimately, I found "Into the Wild" irresponsible because McCandless ispresented as the rebellious anti-hero rather than a fool who caused hisown senseless death and the deepest sorrow of his loved ones. Sean Pennis a talented somehow but choosing the right sorts of role models topresent on film is not one of his skills. Oh and I will definitely notbe sending my kids to Emory College if this is the sort of minds theyproduce...