A film that I consider “wild” is Journey 2: The Mysterious Island, starring Dwayne Johnson, Josh Hutcherson, Vanessa Hudgens, Michael Caine, and Luis Guzmán. Released in 2012, the fantasy/adventure film captures director Brad Peyton’s vision of the word “wild” while also incorporating the themes of trust in others and courage. In the film, Sean Anderson, accompanied by his stepfather Hank, a helicopter pilot, and the pilot’s daughter, ventures onto The Mysterious Island in hopes of finding his lost grandfather. On the island, they find themselves battling strange animals, racing against time as the island sinks, and revealing more secrets the island holds. Reflecting on its elements, I find this film to reflect multiple definitions of the word “wild”. Most evidently, the characters are placed in a natural, uninhabited jungle where the animals and plants grow independently of people. Additionally, the obstacles on the island faced are “wild” in a sense that elements are unexpected and unusual. For instance, the massive volcano present on the island spews out gold rather than lava. Because of the film’s natural setting and inclusion of unusual, abnormal objects, I can describe this film as “wild”.
The movie scene that most reflects the wildness of the 2012 film occurs when the adventurers find themselves running from an abnormally large lizard after stepping on, and breaking, its egg. The scene first pans away from a natural scenery that includes a waterfall, tree-covered mountains, forest floor greenery, and birds soaring. Along with the background music, the sounds of water, trees rustling, and birds can be heard. With these natural elements, the scene depicts the plants and animals as “wild”. Furthermore, the main characters are seen to be walking and jumping on large “rocks” which are soon discovered to be abnormally-large lizard eggs that lead to an enormous mother lizard. Since this animal would be expected to be much smaller than a human, but is horrifyingly not, I would describe this scene as wild as it diverts from the norm and what is expected to entertain the audience.
Journey 2: The Mysterious Island Trailer
Vivian Nguyen
I haven’t watched this film, but I liked your analysis of this film is wild. This seems to be a movie based on the physical aspects of wild and the wilderness in general. This seems like a very interesting movie and I might have to watch it for myself!