300 Second Movie Review/Rant

Wednesday, 10 October, 2007, 23:38 - Random Thoughts, Movie Reviews

Today's subject: Into The Wild.

Going into this movie, I expected to love it. Jon Krakauer has been one of my favorite authors for years, and this is his best book. So despite the film being directed by Sean Penn, I simply had to see the film. And I tried not to judge the film solely on the politics of its director.

First off, the film is, as it should be, rated R. However, much of what gives it that rating was entirely unnecessary. The gratuitous nudity and graphic sex were entirely inappropriate and took away from the message of the film.

That message? Apparently that by living alone in the wilderness, Christopher McCandless discovered that happiness can only be truly enjoyed when it is shared. Duh! I could have told him that, and saved him getting his butt kicked by a railroad security guard and dying at the age of 23...

A kid Chris's age should have been out trying to save the world. And instead he is out trying to find himself. What a waste. And what a waste of film to glorify the selfish end to an incomplete life. Chris figured out the first part of a complete life as he lies dying from eating a poisonous plant.

Step one: realize that life/happiness is only complete if shared. Step two: find someone to share your happiness with. Step three: carry on sharing that happiness with that person forever. Yeah, it's that simple...

So, much like Sean Penn's politics; this film is incomplete. It will leave you wishing for more. It lacks what makes for a great film, which is the optimism of an ending where the main character(s) can go on leading their life completely (see: Good Will Hunting, Stardust, Mallrats, Amelie and even Shrek)...