THE WILD

US, 2006, 94 minutes, Colour.
Voices of: Kiefer Sutherland, James Belushi, Eddie Vizard, Janine Garofalo, Richard Kind, William Shatner, Greg Cipes.
Directed by Steve ‘Spaz’ Williams.

In 2005 with Madagascar, we had a group of animals in a New York Zoo (with comic voices by prominent stars) who were discontent with having to perform for humans and who yearned for getting away to the wild.

In 2006, we have a group of animals in a New York Zoo (with comic voices by prominent stars) who are discontent with having to perform for humans and who yearn for getting away to the wild.

In 2006, this was partially funny, partially too hip for a genial comedy adventure. In 2005, this is partially funny but not quite so hip.

Ryan, a meek young cub, listens to stories of bravado and adventure in the wild from his Lion King father – who in fact is just throwing him a line. Poor Ryan can’t roar, is mocked and bullied – and runs away. The container has him bound for Africa and the wild. Dad (voice: Keifer Sutherland), squirrel Benny (James Belushi) and his girlfriend, giraffe Bridget (Janeane Garofolo) and very British (of all things) koala (Eddie Izzard) go in pursuit and finish up in the wild doing great deeds of derring-do and rescuing Ryan.

A bit take-it-or-leave-it.

1. The popularity of animation films in the first decade of the 21st century?

2. The popularity of animal stories, in the tradition of Madagascar? And lost children seeking their father of the father seeking them, as in finding Nemo? Finding Nemo?

3. The style of the animation, the drawing of the animals, the backgrounds, New York and the zoo, African locations? The action sequences?

4. The voice cast, the humour of the screenplay, eccentric characters, interactions? Musical score?

5. The setting in the zoo, Ryan as a young lion, listening to his father’s stories, over and over again? His relationship with the other animals? The liking
him, wanting to find him when he was taken?

6. Ryan, taken, going to Africa, in the wild?

7. Samson, wanting to find his son, getting help from his friends, Benny with his squirrel style, Nigel and the oddball koala, Richard, Larry, the flamingo? Nigel taking over the conversations and his incessant patter, comic character?

8. Going to Africa, a different land and landscape, the action, the adventures, the dangers?

9. Kazaar, the villain, voice and style? Confronting Samson and the others? With Ryan?

10. The different tone of the film in Africa, the encounters with the animals, the talking crocodiles? The attempts at the rescue?

11. The volcano, eruption, dangers, compounding the difficulties?

12. All is well with a happy ending, families reunited, going home?