The Wild (2006)

There is some debate about "Madagascar" having plagiarized this movie. I don't know if that is true or not, but it really doesn't matter. If they did, sincerely, I hope they steal more material from other studios, because "Madagascar" is an amazingly funny movie. My mother, that doesn't like animated movies, loved that one! No one stays more than a few seconds without laughing while watching "Madagascar", even on the more serious parts! Oh, for sure, this IS a comment about "The Wild", but it is very important to realize that the same basic idea, runaway animals from a zoo park, can become a wonderful movie or a complete disaster! Straight to the point, here is what you will (or would) get in "The Wild":

1) The story is boring: some people claimed that in "Madagascar" there was no reason for the animals to run away. If that's true or not, is really up to each one to decide (as a wildlife veterinary, I know most non-domestic animals do have a "wild instinct" built-in and do resent confinement, even if born in a cage and never knowing what it is to be free). In "The Wild", there was an explicit reason... Do you know that saying about never making a movie with animals and children? Well, that fits perfectly for "The Wild", for it has a character that is both an animal AND a child! At some points, I really wished the baby lion dead (oh no, I never worried, I knew it was a Disney Co. story, he would never die). Later in movie, the animals get involved in another plot that has absolutely nothing to do either with their escape or with being in the "wild".

2) It's a musical: while in "Madagascar" there is a reason for the animals to be singing, there is absolutely no one in "The Wild". They sing because it's a Disney Co. movie, period. I don't care if the songs are original, what really matter is that they are boring! If a movie is a musical, the songs must be really good. They were worst than the score of "Anastasia" (you know, songs thrown in just to extend the length of the weak plot and to cover bad lines).

3) The characters have no charisma: in "Madagascar", the animals cared about one another, for they were friends. In "The Wild", they barely knew each other's names. Somehow, the writers thought the more animals they put in, the better. Well, all those animals are flat (they couldn't be flatter if they were made in 2D...)

4) The voice casting stinks: the voices simply don't match the characters' looks or personalities! For example, the little squirrel's voice is stronger than the lion's! Besides, the baby lion complaining got on my nerves, but that's personal, you may ignore this... Perhaps...

5) The animals stole a nuclear powered boat: that's the only explanation I could find for a tugboat to be able to go to Africa and then come back without refueling...

6) The direction is reckless and mindless: in the first, say, five or ten minutes, we get a thousand animals running aimlessly, screaming nonsenses, doing meaningless things and finally playing a game in a really stupid way. Well, the rest of the movie is just the same, running for nothing, screaming for nothing, doing dumb things for nothing. I blame the direction. Too many (useless) things happening at the same time, at the wrong moments and for the wrong reasons (like using a small snake to lift something that weights a h

Fmovies: I was lucky enough to get tickets to a preview of this film last week. I also initially wondered why they would copy Madagascar (which I didn't find very good)...I came away with the realization that it's a very different and way better movie with only the basic premise bearing somewhat of a resemblance (not unlike many kid's films and the "formula" that seems to be used).

I found the film hilarious and had a great time watching my kids get such a kick out of it as well. The animation is absolutely incredible and this was a great escape for me and my kids (10 and 7)...if I could only get my 7 year old to stop continually quoting Nigel the Koala then all would be well...

I read a few reviews which panned this flick. I wondered if they saw the same movie we did and/or why an adult who wants to bring a kid for a few laughs would listen to some of the negative crap that's been written?! I would suggest that there is many a jaded movie critic out there who may not appreciate this for what it really is (perhaps they're taking their own "grown-up" opinions too seriously?)...a kid's flick which just happens to appeal (thankfully) to the adults who are brought along in tow. Either some of these reviewers have a different political agenda or they're really out of touch with the audience demographics a film like this is geared toward. You watch...You decide...

This film was quite simply a blast! We hope you enjoy it as much as we did!

Yet again we judge things Disney produce a little to harshly. The comparisons to Madagascar are completely insane. The wild completely eclipses yet another over budgeted dream works atrocity. Think about the crud that has emerged from that studio which seems to coast along on the perennial favourite Shrek to hype up it's latest meagre offerings. Shark tale for instance suffered i think because they spent too much money on people like will smith, Angelina Jolie jack black etc... and seemingly paid two illiterate laundry boys peanuts to create the script. I mean honestly what can you remember from shark tale or Madagascar besides the songs? Case rested. The wild is a competent and balanced film that does not need to be compared to the half stale confection of a rival company who seem to be peddling an even staler product as time goes on and budgets go up. Long live the wild

The Wild fmovies. I have heard mostly bad reviews for this movie so when I was told to rent it for my preschool movie day I was wary. Boy, was I surprised! This movie was awesome. The writing and characters were well done ( I loved the Hindi Pigeons) and the song Really Nice Day was stuck in my head for weeks. But what really got me was the graphics. The characters actually looked like the animals they were supposed to represent instead of bad caricatures. I do not know how anyone could not love this movie. I watched it with roughly fifty children ranging in age from 3 to 8 and they all loved it. They were laughing and singing along it was a great experience.

I have learned a valuable lesson from this, Disney rocks. I used to know that but I had begun to doubt it because of such negative press they have been getting. The Wild reminded me of how creative Disney can be and the amazing skill they bring to the table In short, give this movie a chance and it will not disappoint you. And to all of those who didn't like it, I feel bad for you. You missed out on a great movie. To those of us who know a good movie when we see it We're havin' a REALLY NICE DAY, REALLY NICE DAY, REALLY NICE DAY!!!

The Wild was advertised as a movie for kids, and it lived up to it's billing. I saw it this past weekend with my 5 year-old. It had a good story line and enough action and music to keep him entertained. He has already asked can we buy it when it comes out on DVD. Since it is a clean movie I will happily get it for him. I didn't have to cringe or be on edge because of suggestive dialog or foul language like Ice Age 2 has. I don't enjoy exposing my son to entertainment that contains language he cannot repeat. If you want to treat your kids to a real kid's flick, take them to see this. It's not a contender for an Oscar, but you'll enjoy it, too.

I would have to say I personally thought this movie was wonderful. The animation was superb, the characters were amusing, and the dialog and banter was fabulous. I laughed throughout the movie, sometimes so hard I thought I might hurt myself. My husband also enjoyed it.

And I have to say, I disliked Madagascar immensely. I never laughed once during that entire film. The humor in The Wild was much more believable. And I thought that the plot in Madagascar was much more predictable than that of The Wild.

Overall I would have to give The Wild a 9 out of 10. The only thing that could have made it better would have been if it was longer. But you know, you really can't go wrong with an all star cast.