INTO THE WILD

"We'll talk when I get back from Alaska"

After graduating college, the whole world was at Christopher McCandless' (Hirsch) feet. Instead of continuing his studies at one of America's most prestigious universities, he decides to part with all his worldly possessions and donate the remaining $24,000 of his college fund to charity and disappear into the wilds of the US. Planning to make it to Alaska, Chris travels across the country living off the land and meeting people who will help him define himself along the way but as can he cope with the loneliness and the solitude of the wilderness.

When an actor makes the transition to director there can be mixed results but when it comes to one of the greatest actors of his generation making that move, we get something special.

The acting and personal career of Sean Penn has always made headlines. From his turbulent marriage to Madonna to his transformation into one of the greatest method actors working in cinema today, the Oscar winning actor commands your attention. When Penn first stepped behind the camera in 1991 with 'The Indian Runner', he caught the attention of critics and film fans alike. He then followed this up in 1995 with 'The Crossing Guard', gathering together an all-star cast with Jack Nicholson leading the line and this worked with the charismatic actor again in 2001 for 'The Pledge'. Now with 'Into the Wild', Sean Penn gathers together all his experience to produce a movie that will stay with you for a very long time.

Based on the novel by Jon Krakauer and on the real life exploits of Christopher McCandless, Sean Penn adapts the story for the screen and creates a tale of discovery, passion, tragedy and a showcase of the human spirit. This is a journey of one young man's life, his passion for the wilderness of the United States and people he meets and affects alone the way. Travelling from Emory University, across the country by hitching, walking and even canoe, Chris stops only when he needs money for food and this is when he gets the chance to meet some of the people that will define his journey and make an impact on his life. All this time away however comes at the determent of his own family who don't know where he is or whether he is even alive.

Again Sean Penn has gathered together a superb cast of established performers and actors that are given the chance to shine. Marcia Gay Harden, William Hurt, Catherine Keener, Brian Dierker, Vince Vaughn and Hal Holbrook play the adults that define Chris's outlook on life and his drive to push himself to Alaska. Marcia Gay Harden and William Hurt are the parents that drove him to do what he did after his unsettled upbringing, and the pair is driven in their roles. Catherine Keener and Brian Dierker introduce him to the travelling, hippy lifestyle. Vince Vaughn makes him believe in working again and becomes almost a father figure and Hall Holbrook's amazingly touching performance as Ron Franz, the old man who becomes Chris's friend and teaching him a few lessons about life. Kristen Stewart continues to shine as Tracy, the young girl who falls for Chris. The movie is all about the performance of Emile Hirsch as Chris McCandless and it is exceptional. After making a splash in 'The Girl Next Door' and showing his acting credentials in 'Alpha Dog' and 'The Lords of Dogtown', Hirsch produces a defining performance of his very young career and one that draws you into Chris's story completely.

'Into the Wild' is a movie that will stay with you for a very long time. Beautifully shot, fantastically played and with an outstanding acoustic soundtrack from 'Pearl Jam' front man Eddie Vedder, this is a film that will fill you with happiness and joy and take you on an emotional roller coaster that makes you care what happens to this character. When you realise that this is based on a real person's life, you will become even more attached to Chris McCandless. What this proves is that Sean Penn is just as good a director as he is an actor.

PICTURE & SOUND

Presented in Widescreen 2.35:1 Anamorphic with a Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack, the transfer is good and with the film been in black and white, the movie looks fantastic.

BONUS FEATURES

None

OVERALL

The complete lack of extras for 'Into the Wild' is a travesty, especially when the US version is a double disc set filled with bonus features. Fans of the movie will be extremely disappointed.

DVD

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2007