The film repects the true story as expressed in Jon Krakauer's book. I can't overstate how good Emile Hirsch is as the lead. Every supporting actor plays their part to near perfection. Sean Penn is as good a director as he is an actor. The music goes really well with the film.

This is one of those rare films which leaves a profound impact on you. The beauty of the landscape, the compelling acting from all, the terrific music and Penns great work in the director/writers chair make the film as engaging as can be. It really makes you want to enjoy the simple things in life and get out there. spellbinding stuff indeed Mr. Ebert.

Fantastic. a story that grabs your heart and makes you think.

It's an amazing story about an usual character who finds himself over his head in the wilderness. Poetic direction and excellent acting by the brilliant Emile Hirsch make it one of the best films of this year.

The trailer suggests this is an inspirational and uplifting film. It struck me as more melancholy and kind of a depressing. Overall it was a bit too long, in my opinion. But it didn't completely suck. Worth a rent at least. If you've got 2 hours to kill and feel like watching a quasi-hippy, skinny kid do some deep and introspective soul searching, then this film is for you. Hal Holbrook's character is worth the wait, by the way.… Expand

A privileged middle-class white kid with a college degree decides his life sucks, so he does the only logical thing: burns his money, turns his back on his family, and heads to Alaska for self-enlightenment. Meanwhile, the rest of the world struggles with real problems like hunger which isn't self-inflicted. A tedious, self-absorbed, adolescent fable.

This film is painful to watch and, once seen, hard to forget. Both of the perspectives visible in the user reviews--McCandless as fool AND McCandless as visionary--inform Penn's directorial choices, from the retrospective structure of the film to its dense, emotionally complex episodes, each a gem of casting and ensemble acting. Emile Hirsch so inhabits McCandless that it's almost spooky, and, though the entire cast is strong, Holbrook and Keener give performances of exceptional sweetness and dignity. "Into the Wild" is, on one level, about a young man who starves to death amid abundance, and so is the story of an idiot. At the same time, it is the story of a man beginning to see the psychic and social costs of abundance and to yearn for a time when enough was enough, a true idealist who walks his talk. His tragic flaw is not his longing for vanished frontiers but his attempt to recreate them in his own mind, believing individual ignorance a fair approximation of their mysteries. Those who have lived in Alaska (or any extreme environment) may ridicule or condemn him, but McCandless grew up in Virginia, where nature is more pastoral theme park than "red in tooth and claw." Moreover, he is exactly the age at which many of us indulge in foolish, life-threatening behavior, as the cost of auto insurance for 20-somethings attests. What's sad is the waste: though his folly is more principled than the average youth's bender or car crash or fall from a Daytona Beach balcony, he doesn't get the second chance that most of us enjoy, the chance to learn, say, the difference between independence and isolation. Or--and this is for the users who profess simple amusement at the film--the difference between ignorance accepted as a cognitive stage and ignorance celebrated as a cognitive goal.… Expand

Into the wild is a story of an inspired, adventurous young man who grows tired of societal customs and relationships around him as he sees them to be insincere and unnecessarily comfortable. He leaves behind the comforts society has offered him and begins an unpredictable, yet passionate journey into the wild. After many lessons learned from being so intimate with nature and it's habitants he learns that "happiness is only real when shared" making this expectedly cynical story a heartwarming perspective of the importance of intimacy with everything and everyone around us.… Expand

After graduating from Emory University, top student and athlete Christopher McCandless abandons his possessions, gives his entire $24,000 savings account to charity and hitchhikes to Alaska to live in the wilderness. Along the way, Christopher encounters a series of characters that shape his life.

Loved it. Very thoughtful, inspiring and scenic. You will like the movie depending on whether you sympathize with or criticize the main character? There's something to be said for both sides. But remember this is just one person dealing with his struggles. Great soundtrack too

Great movie and great insight into the different characters.

I understand Sean Penn was not on a fact-finding mission, but the numerous discrepancies with the book (okay, maybe the book was wrong) make me question his motives. To wit: Chris abandoned his car because it would not start after a flash flood. When park rangers (not people out searching for wild flowers) found it, it started after being jumped and ran for years. Chris traveled the lower Colorado River, not the rapids, in a canoe, not a kayak. The couple he later met in the Grand Canyon were German, not Dutch (or Danish; I forget what the movie said), and I doubt they were such giggling twits. He got lost in a maze of irrigation ditches and would never have reached the ocean had not Mexican hunting guides carried him and his canoe in their truck. He abandoned the canoe; it did not blow away. He was never beaten up by a railroad guard. When the manager at McDonald's asked him to wear socks, he wore socks. "Ron Franz" (pseudonym) did not hit the bottle after his family was killed; he mentored young Asian people and sent two through medical school. Chris almost certainly knew the difference between wild potato and the poisonous sweet pea; his notes say his decline is the "fault of pot. seed." Moldy potato seeds can be poisonous. Why overly romanticize that which is already dramatic?… Expand

The movie is well-done. The life it's about is not as well-done, but lets not confuse the two. You can't take a measure of someone else's emotional pain: they feel it so its real enough to them. Not the first and not the last to kill themselves trying to heal.

Never before has a film touched on so many levels; in particular man's journey through young adulthood. Sean Penn's ability to capture raw emotion and transcend it through seemingly "real-life" experiene has left me breathless. For anyone who wants to take a journey which may help re-define your own life, you must see this film:) Thank you to all who played a part in the making of this masterpiece.… Expand

Into The Wild is not just a movie, it marks the arrival of Sean Penn into the league of Eastwood, Beatty and Redford as actors who have found their niche as writer/directors. Into The Wild is cinematic poetry with enough heart and soul to inspire everyone who sees it. You can go ahead and put Sean Penn on your Oscar Ballot for Best Director and Adapted Screenplay, he's moved up to the Big League now!… Expand

I couldn't wait for this movie to end. The dialog was awful, the acting was uninspiring. I can't believe this movie is getting such good reviews. I haven't disliked a movie this much in a long time.

I thought the movie was excellent. And how about giving some of the credit to Emile, I couldn't have asked for a better leading character than him. Emile plays Christopher in such a way that I felt as if I knew him. It was spectacular, and incredibly moving because I could feel Emile's emotion while in character.

While I may not have agreed with the way this movie says is the best way to find happiness, it makes you think, which is what humanity is all about. Other than that it was funny at times, daring, and a fun journey to watch.

A very well acted and directed film. Emile Hirsch plays a character who is likable yet strange. He is a consummate conundrum -a loner, yet at times the life of the party. The movie evoked a wide range of emotions from me, part of me wanted to be like him and part of me thought he was crazy. His interaction with Hal Holbrook was especially touching.

Lovely film, given most people know how it ends. I was thinking it was going to be sappy from the get-go--but it wasn't---only towards the end, when the inevitable starts to creep in. Emile Hersh was excellent--as was Hal Holbrook. Their scenes together were some of the most heart wrenching moments in film I've seen in awhile. I admire how Penn directed this film--both in landscape and feeling regarding the main character. Bittersweet is possibly the best adjective for it. You both want to knock some sense into him and cheer him on--and you're left feeling the loss of his life at the end. Very good movie.… Expand

This is the best movie I have ever seen. I could not go ten minutes without crying. Thank you so much.

Money means nothing, find yourself is the only way.

An interesting story of a young guy disgusted and repulsed by our modern world and our selfish ways who wanders out to Alaska to find solace and insight. Although I never lost interest in the storyline, it plodded along with the speed of a sleepy elephant. And with a running time close to 2.5 hours, I felt some additional editing would have helped make this movie feel less aloof and more focused.

It was an amazing and inspiring movie that changed me forever.

A triumph! Lyrical.

The film is not "spellbinding" as the Chicago Sun-Times claims. But it is interesting, especially as it's based on a true life case. It reminded me of "Grizzly Man", by Werner Herzog except this one is more happy. I have to say, I think Sean Penn is really growing as a director - great job.

Even better than the book. Great acting, great story.

For 2.5 hours could not hear a pin drop. Read the book and thought the movie was excellent. Movie was very true to book.

I read this book several years ago...a few comments... The movie leaves you with a distinctly different impression than the book. The book for me was sort of a cautionary tale about romanticizing the whole high minded spiritual view of Chris. In the movie he was an idealist, living life on his terms, and died tragically when he found the TRUE meaning of life, touching many along the way. The book was a little bit more sort of cynical of these types...Nature is harsh, maybe civilization is not such a bad thing...it exists so we don't starve/freeze to death, so quit your whining about the ills of society and learn to live with those around you...running away is not an answer. Maybe it is this interpretation of his life that was needed to get the cooperation of his family, I don't know. At least for me, I left the book with the "wanna be hippy dumbass over-estimates himself and under-estimates nature" and you took a sort of perverse thrill in reading about him getting his due. The main actor was ok, but to me didn't convey the character I read about in the book. He is pretty light in the charisma department, but his gig seems to be walking around with a wide-eyed smile and then losing a bunch of weight..ehh. The character in the book came off more 3-dimensional than was pulled off here. Ok movie, but if you are like a lot of people and have this notion of throwing it all away and living an idyllic life, read the book...it still gives you a lot to think about but filters in a certain grim reality this movie seemed to miss. The Movie itself is entertaining enough..you can enjoy it on it's own merits or you could also choose to read the book, but be warned, you will walk away with two different experiences.… Expand

The movie took some liberties in comparison to the book. The book was much more focused on how Chris was a loner, wanted to escape from society, and how ill-prepared he was for nature's elements. The movie really tried to make Chris look like a hero including all the people's lives he touched - a MUCH different story than the book. The movie was also somewhat irresponsible in showing someone like Chris who had no whitewater experience going through some very serious white water which in all likelihood he might not have survived had he tried to go through it. The book showed him as a loner kid who hated his parents for providing him with the best opportunities they could - much more than many of us could ever hope to have been given. The movie was overly harsh on the parents. It lost a lot of credibility when trying to make the parents out to be these uncaring people. The movie was inconsistent in that it portrayed this kid as someone who touched many lives, but yet did not want to be a part of society - also inconsistent was someone who apparently adored nature but disregarded the efforts to try and manage open spaces (as he disregards the lottery system in going down the Colorado). The movie does have some great scenery and I noticed a few wet eyes so it must have 'touched' some people.… Expand

The description of this movie says it all. I heard about this rice-packing genius about a year ago, read the book and laughed all the way through. The movie has it's side-splitting moments but just doesn't do justice to it's real life brain-dead hero. A classic hippy reads Walden then decides to throw away his life savings and die alone in misery story. I loved it!

This movie is very simple. It's a 2 hour and 20 minute glorification and romanticization of a guy who wasn't playing with a full deck, mentally speaking, who (perhaps somewhat inadvertently) committed suicide in the wild. He died ONLY because he didn't bother to take basic provisions like a map. Sean Penn admitted on Charlie Rose that if he simply had a map, he easily could have walked out of the area where he died instead of dying. But he was too crazy to take a map or basic survival provisions, or learn basic survival training, and thus wasted his life for no reason. His death was completely senseless, stupid and unnecessary. He was not a hero. He was not an inspiration. Therefore this movie has no reason to exist, because glorifying and romanticizing a guy who committed suicide is bad for society and mankind as a species. If you really are desperate to see a glorification of suicide then it's much cheaper to watch the old clip of Dr. Jack Kevorkian from the news show "60 Minutes" instead of buying a ticket to "Into the Wild".… Expand

Like me, if you didnt know the story beforehand youll probably love it. The twist and turns in the journey are enjoyable, but moreso the characters on the journey and the dialogue are what kept me entertained till the end.

This was a well done realistic movie that got to all your emotions. He was immature in many ways. Not contacting his parents. Many young people rebel against their parents usually earlier than 23 just after graduating from college. He showed his non acceptance of the norm and carried it too far and led to his death. It was haunting and a movie that will stay with me for a long time.

I read this book 10 years ago during my senior semester of college. It validated a lot of feelings I was having at the time that are impossible to examine in a film. Yet Penn's film still succeeds in telling Chris' story uniquely and beautifully IF you can avoid the basic human need to judge a person living life in ways personally hard to imagine or fully understand. I'm impressed with Penn's screenplay, including the scrolling passages from Chris' journal and the way Penn avoids a strictly linear telling, more in line with the way the book's author (Krakauer) pieced the story together during several years of research. There were a few lines of dialogue that bothered me ("If you want something, reach out and grab it!" for example), but otherwise I can't praise Penn enough for his vision here.… Expand

The story is good though I found the direction a bit distracting and self indulgent at times, with needless slow motion, unnecessary narration, and other such repetitive techniques.

Great movie. Really followed the book well. Also some great shots of Alaska. Highly recomend this to anyone. Little slow, but leaves a lot to the imagination.

i've watched the movie few days ago but until now i still can't stop thinking about the movie, mccandless, emile hirsch... everything. i still cry about the loss and inspiration that one person can give. he would never have thought during those dark, silent nights in the magic bus, alone and yet free that he could have an effect though sad but beautiful understanding of one';s need to find hapiness and freedom to conform and yet realizing also in the end that God did not create only one person because "happiness is only real when shared". Thank you to all those involved on this, appreciate it! Great Job Emile Hirsch, Sean Penn...… Expand

outstanding film which takes away day to day hassles in the modern world and shows it that money means nothing its the experiences that last with you forever its quite sad at times, and its a very well made film and jumps from highs to lows throughout. Enjoyed every minuite of this relatively long film.

Penn ruined the man's life story. What a sappy, predictable liberal-ass treatment of something deeper than Penn could ever comprehend. We know that father never beat his wife - hwe do know he was jerk - not a beater, though. Chris never rafted the upper Colorado - never siad he did - but Penn has him super staring doen Clss 4 rapids - didn't happen. Chris did not ever say he climbed the peaks near bus 142 - Penn, of course, showed us otherwise. Penn lies you int the Supertramp myth that even Chris denied in the end. Read the book and believe. Avoid the movie.… Expand

Like a godawful cross between Forrest Gump, Catch me if you can, rambo and, I don't know, Psycho? A truly appalling filum.

Pointless nagging story about a selfish boy and his struggles to find "his own way" in the world. The irritating voice over by his sister ruins the film with her idolizing of her brother. The cinematography could have been great, but the constant close ups wrecks the images in a futile attempt to get a more personal view of the character. Eddie Vedder's soundtrack is only useful to the audience who falls asleep in the middle of the movie so they can wake up and hear Vedder sing something like "I'm crossing the river... I'm alone, so alone" when the protagonist is walking over a river - alone. Instead of seeing the film, send the admission fee to Oxfam or something. That will give you a greater happiness than Penn is able to provide.… Expand

i loved this movie - it moved me in ways i didn't know were possible - maybe because it captured the spirit of a 22 year old and the freedom that was possible then... and the indestructible nature of youth - Emile was amazing as was Hal Holbrook- I truely cared about the characters - and enjoyed the journey and people along the way - Sean well done!!

I rated this a 5. 5 out of 5 for the scenery and all I can say is youth is wasted on the young so 0 out of 5 for a story about someone pissed off and running away from home. Doing his research while running to the wild, ie. how to gut a Moose, good plan. Also shooting the animal with what seemed to be a rimfire 22, another good plan. I wonder how short his stay in the bush would have been if he had not come across the bus. Woodstock and Haight Ashbury come to mind. " Yeah man gonna disconnect from society and live free", until the money runs out or the bullets run out. No man is an island.… Expand

One of the best and most underrated films of last year! Emile Hirsch is brilliant as Christopher McCandless, and really captured the essence and spirit of the character. Sean Penn's screenplay and direction were wonderful, and was completely snubbed through all award season. The ensemble in this film is outstanding! Catherine Keener was perfect, Hal Holbrook was heartwrenching and sweet, and Jena Malone, Vince Vaughn, and Kristin Stewart all help round out the performances which help make this film so great. I can't believe that this film only received a few Academy Award nominations, and barely won any awards through out the award season. This is such a beautiful film, from the cinematography to the acting to the script, and needs to be seen by everyone!! The spirit and the chemistry of the film will captivate audiences, and will surely make people appreciate the beauty of the world.… Expand

By far, one of the most gripping film adaptations I've ever seen. McCandless' story will inspire and anger you.

The unbalanced perspective works against the movie even though it was compelling to watch. A deeper view of a complex personality is possible in a movie form, just watch 'Grizzly Man' by W. Hertzog. My view is summed up by this: Alaskan Park Ranger Peter Christian wrote: “I am exposed continually to what I will call the ‘McCandless Phenomenon.’ People, nearly always young men, come to Alaska to challenge themselves against an unforgiving wilderness landscape where convenience of access and possibility of rescue are practically nonexistent […] When you consider McCandless from my perspective, you quickly see that what he did wasn’t even particularly daring, just stupid, tragic, and inconsiderate. First off, he spent very little time learning how to actually live in the wild. He arrived at the Stampede Trail without even a map of the area. If he [had] had a good map he could have walked out of his predicament […] Essentially, Chris McCandless committed suicide.”… Expand

I was deeply moved by Penn's film, and believe it to be one of the best of this decade. The story of McCandless is not so easily reduced to 'stupidity' as so many continue to believe. By all accounts, McCandless was bright, driven, idealistic, deeply troubled and flawed. But what makes his story compelling is the contrast of a modern human being and primal forces. For McCandless' the most powerful primal forces were inside his mind, not the elements surrounding him. We may never know what happened psychologically to him out there in an intensely unforgiving wilderness, but only 22 miles from help. But Penn doesn't try to know. Instead, he celebrates the messy business of being a human being seeking enlightenment. McCandless was committed to finding it in nature, but along the way he found love, forgiveness and friendship. His commitment cost him his life, but this beautiful film honors the journey there.… Expand

Captivating story, acting, directing, filming, etc... A MUST SEE!

Gorgeous filming of the Midwest and Alaska and good pacing, but Chris was as flat as a run over cat as a sympathetic character. Not believable as a deeply affected young man whose parent's "ruined" his life, I felt no connection with him whatever. He seemed about 13 years old in appearance and nto very handsome. It was a relief to see him face up in the "magic bus" staring at Jesus. A waste of good money.… Expand

I think it is the best film i have seen this year. i love its honesty, for some reason it confronts you with the choices you make in life, in your own life.... which film does that? The film must also speak to Mr Penn, because it answers what that kind of detachment leads to. It would have been tempting to dive into the psychology of the the main character, but the true beauty of the film is, i think that it doesn't and there with it resonates for hours, days and as i notice now, even weeks after i have seen it. a true masterpiece… Expand

Overlong, self-indulgent and pretentious. The central character was selfish and patronizing beyond belief. Wank of the highest caliabre. 'Art' for people who think that Jerry Maguire was 'Drama' akin to Hamlet. Only watch if you want to spend 2 and a half hours of your life wishing you were somewhere else, namely (the beautifully shot) Alaska.

This is one of those movies that most critics love and many customers dislike. Main objection: the movie treats McCandless as a sort of heroic pilgrim, when he really is a selfish, irresponsible, world-class naif, who runs out on anyone who shows him caring, love and affection. Who but a jerk would subject his sister and parents to such pain because the old folks aren't perfect. I hated this guy, hoped the bear would eat him.… Expand

A savagely beautiful, poignant masterpiece. Strong and emotional, and yet subtle as well. Excellent!

Sean Penn at his finest.

With this film, Penn vaults himself into the head of the pack. Nothing in his oeuvre heretofore (well, really just two movies prepared you for this. Sure, he wears his influences on his sleeve (Inarritu in particular) but there is nothing derivative about this beautiful, deeply felt film. Penn consistently swings for the fences and connects with almost every attempt. The scenes with Holbrook are among the most deeply affecting in recent memory. If Holbrook doesn't win the Oscar for best supporting actor, call your senator.… Expand

Stunning movie - excellent acting from Emile Hirsch, breathtaking cinematography, and terrific directing from Sean Penn, who knows when to let the images speak for themselves.

I was deeply moved by this film. I saw it as a chance to live vicariously through someone who made an extreme choice motivated by a desire to break free of an identity he felt was put on him and to truly find himself. Yes he was narcissistic, but he was also brave, brave in a way I wish I could be. And come Oscar time Emile Hirsch and Hal Holbrook deserve nominations. Hell, they should just give the Supporting Actor Oscar to Holbrook right now. He was heartbreaking.… Expand

Dramatically powerful, this portrait of a morally earnest, troubled young man shows that he could have been one of ours. Hal Holbrook's performance captures loss with intelligent dignity. The protagonist's death serves as an indictment of our culture, and the gulf that separates generations.

Good acting and a unique story. If you have a free soul this movie will reach you. Pretty good book as well.

Great, Awesome, Spectacular rendition of the book that capturers the very essence that Chris McCandless was all about. See this movie. Please!

Emotionally gripping. Hirsch is exceptional, and Holbrook in a stunning cameo.

Unusually emotionally powerful. One of the most memorable movie-going experiences in recent memory.

Beautifully photographed, interesting direction, but ponderous, romanticized and tonally inept. This movie takes itself so seriously that it lands in the absurd. Oh Society! indeed. Come on.

The best movie I've seen all year. Heartbreaking, beautiful, frustrating, and true. How sad that some viewers can't accept that some people march to a different drum--Christopher McCandless is not Jack Kevorkian. There is no comparison. McCandless' story is about a young, hurt, hopeful man's search for something greater than himself. And Sean Penn has turned my favorite book into my favorite film. In anyone else's hands, "Into The Wild" might have failed--Penn clearly understands McCandless' struggle. His direction is superb, as is his screenplay. There are so many Oscar-worthy performances--chief among them Hal Holbrook's and Catherine Keener's--it boggles the mind. But it is Emile Hirsch's fearless, doe-eyed McCandless that is the heart and soul of this exceptional film. Don't miss it.… Expand

This movie was worse than Gus Van Sants' Gerry. Anyone who considers this kind of crap art needs to put down their macbook and starbucks and step into a museum.

Sometimes heroes inspire something unreachable... an extension of fisical and mental faculties unexpected to any mortal. In this movie Sean Penn show us a character worthy of admiration: how many of us will have the courage to leave all behind to just follow the unusual path, to just follow the essence of being? We are in front of another kind of hero: more real, nevertheless unreachable. Unforgettable movie... Impressive sountrack and cinematography!!!… Expand

A great film. even though i loved penn's other three films i wasn't that excited about this; but its a masterpiece.

As somebody facing a similar journey in 2010, I was Awe-struck by this film as I preparing to trek the appalachain trail for similar reasons. this at that first sitting became my favorite film.

Unbelievable performance by Emile Hirsch. A true star turn.

This movie is a story of how most people want to live there there lives, yet vary few have the courage.

This movie is much too long. The lead character's exuberance was intermittently engaging, but none of the other characters came to life. There was no plot; the story of the rambling adventures of Alexander Supertramp went repeatedly to Alaska but didn't arrive anywhere else. The movie sorely needed a script-writer and an editor. I wish the bear had killed Chris/Alex and brought an end to this tedium sooner.… Expand

Beautifully filmed, with outstanding characters that are so well defined and developed. The film has substance. It is deep and moving. The acting by the entire cast is superb, standing out is Emile Hirsch, Catherine Keener and Hal Holbrook. Director Sean Penn does an amazing job. Great score, excellent editing and the writing is outstanding. Certainly of of the best films of 2007.

Wow, what a great movie. I read some of the negative reviews above and below and think "man, these people need to open their minds a bit." It's those people exactly that Chris was trying to get away from. A long movie that I wish would have lasted 2 more hours!!!

Incredibly filmed and acted. One of the most stunning films I have seen in a long time. There were some scenes that were a little too long, but it quickly picked up. Awesome soundtrack by Eddie Vedder too!

Well made, ultimately sad story about an idealistic young man who eventually realizes his mistaken assumptions.

Disjointed, dragging, lifeless,.The most exciting thing in this wildlife adventure is a Grizzle sniffing Hirsch's crotch then moving on. I wasted 21/2 hours for the pay off: "Happiness is only real if it is shared." I could have saved everybody $15 million bucks. If they had just called me, I would have told them: "Happiness is only real when it is shared." I'd save them the price of admission and 21/2 hours.… Expand

Had Christopher McCandless(Emile Hirsch) forgiven mom and dad before that fateful nature hike and returned to civilization, his experiment in ascetic living would've been exposed as merely an extreme adventure disguised as a protestation against materialism. Like the woman in Pulp's "Common People", Christopher, at any time, could've returned to his upper-middle class roots, once came to terms with his crummy childhood. Real poor people, however, if you asked them, would love to have a crummy childhood like Christopher's. But because this young man died, horribly, these projected criticisms about his so-called heroism, fall by the wayside. "Into the Wild" demonstrates how literature, not just populist music, can influence young people to make bad choices. What's the difference between Silverchair and Jack London if you're the sort of person who turns to external forces as the culprit each time tragedy strikes somebody down prematurely? Since "Into the Wild" uses a lot of flashbacks and voiceovers, the depiction of Christopher's death, albeit somewhat distasteful and exploitative, finally captures the isolation and loneliness that this young man encountered. It's hard to watch.… Expand

The first bit of the film I felt a bit bored with but the last 2/3rds of it I dug a lot. The narration done by his sister is at best brief and at worst melodramatic and intrusive to the film's flow. Thankfully these narrating bits were left alone for a long while in the film, and allowed the story to progress without her weepy interjections.

A brilliant movie. Wonderful scenery, acting, and heartwrenching story.

Slow and boring.

A beautiful movie - tragic, though. I'd never heard of Emile Hirsch before, and I must say his acting astounded me. Call a thing by its right name....

I guess if you can see yourself in him (McCandless) you would like the movie. I like it alot.

This movie was in my thoughts for months after seeing it. Amazing.

The protagonist is obnoxious in his college freshmen philosopher hat. By the end, I didn't feel I had learned anything. I was just glad that it was over. The direction is spotty and awkward in all the zooms and ugly titles and cheesy slow motion. The candid shots are contrived. The only thing positive about this film is the supporting cast and the beautiful scenery. Other than that, it's just kind of annoying.… Expand

A bit slow at first, too long as well. The acting was good. I found it hard to be sympathetic to Chris. I was more sad for the people he encountered.

I did not sympathize with the main character at all. He was unusually cruel in his view towards the ones closest to him, his family, yet all the time created these holier than thou ideals about what man and society should be like. Probably the smartest "character" in the movie was nature, which in the end coldly dispatched of this boy and his silly, overstuffed ideals.

this movie is right on target on the hipocrisy all around us and how somwtimes nature is the answer to bring a man's soul down to earth and realised what's really important.. I think Sean Pean capture this message brilliantly. I think those who critizice this message have obviously never been in a situation of extreme discomfort and have life a secure, rouitine, and danger free life. book smart "intelegent" people who are scare to live and who have played it safe all their life.… Expand

This film is so much more than something meant to entertain the audience. The film is filled with conflicts that everyone deals with. Philosophical ideas and views are filled throughout. Why are people so cold to each other? Human adventure is through travel and meeting new people not simply standing still living in society. You see how cold the world can be. But at the same time you see how good people can be without living in the "American Dream" with a house and job. The main character has parents that were not happy even though they were very wealthy. This impacted his life heavily and help cause his adventure. With an outstanding lead performance by Emile Hirsch along with an amazing supporting cast. Beautiful direction by Sean Penn and the enviroment is breathtaking while it takes an older style of film. The film will leave you inspired and heartfilled while part of you may feel some depression. If you don't enjoy the film maybe you should watch it again because you probably missed it.… Expand

All Sean Penn's unforgivable portrayal of this story lack's is twelve disciples and a cross. The lead character is entirely undeserving of the sympathy, respect and philosophical status he is granted. The Alaskan climax aims to serve as an indication of the freedom he has achieved but in actuality just demonstrates his lack of respect for the wild. Meanwhile the justification for this pilgrimage remains as the void between himself and his parents, a problem he has run away from, a problem his sister has equally endured and yet he, not she, is portrayed as the hero. Accompanied by uninspiring and tedious cinematography and a narrative so forcefully littered with imagery that it constitutes nothing more that a painfully transparent attempt to promote the poetic nature of the lead character, this has to be the worst film I've seen this year.… Expand

Even after two hours I was wishing this movie would never end. This story will lift you higher than you've been and then break your heart.

Started out OK but never really gathered speed, apparently relying on the beautiful cinematography to tell the story. The central character never felt fleshed out enough to sympathise with, and his constant 'deep and meaningful' conversations with strangers began to drag by half way through. Not having read the book (or ever heard of McCandless before) I was almost relieved that his naive spirit of adventure eventually proved to be his downfall and wasn't rewarded with a miraculous escape (after the ridiculous rapids trip). Still made me want to drop everything and go traveling though!… Expand

Beautifully shot and well-directed. The character, however, confuses self-actualization with simple selfishness. At his core, McCandless was weak-minded and sought to flee rather than face his problems; everyone has a childhhod with difficulties, many far, far worse than poor Supertramp's. Forgiveness is a truly arduous challenge that he never bothered to face. What a shame.

This movie was inspiring and made me too want to take a chance and explore my wild side.

This is the best movie of the year. Who cares whether or not it is faithful to the book. Judged on the merits of the movie only it deserves the highest rating

The movie is enjoyable and follows the book faithfully. Chris McCandless does what we all dream about - leaving our lives behind for adventure. But, most of us are smart enough just to take a few weeks of vacation to shake-off that urge. Everything gets old after a while and adventuring is not immune. McCandless is a good example for the saying, "be careful what you look for, because you just might find it." He wanted the ultimate getaway and he got it. He was so far away from humanity, that he lost touch with the very thing that societies provide: guaranteed subsistence (nearly) and mutual experience. The subject of the movie is great in it's idealism and escapism, but you have to temper those feelings with the mistakes and the unnecessary risks the protagonist takes to be our martyr. And let's be honest, the story of his conception (the supposed source of his angst) was hardly tragic. It's the upbringing that most of us had, without all the privilege.… Expand

I just got back from the movies and have definitively decided Into the Wild is my kind of movie. It was intelligent, thoughtful, well acted stimulating the viewer to look within and ask all the right questions. Into the Wild is so needed and down to earth real that it was an extra joy and surprise to see this type of movie come out of Hollywood. I cannot recommend seeing this movie enough. In fact I plan to buy it and lend it out to all those who are interested. This movie had real soul. And if we only have but a glimmer of wakefulness within we will see the beauty and the healing this film can bring. The less you know about this movie before going the better. What I can tell you though is that there are some insightful revelations and lasting bonds that are made along his journey that can only be created by being truly in the present.… Expand

A fantastic film about true freedom and spirituality, finding oneself. So beautiful, meaningful and exciting!