River Wild

Pretty standard action/thriller survival movie set in the mountains near Canada.

Things this movie has going for it: location is beautiful (entire film is outdoors), some solid acting and directing on scenes that are logistically challenging (rapids, fights in water, etc)

Things this movie struggles with: plot holes, some really stupid character decisions and other things that just didn't make sense, overall pretty lame plot that doesn't really add up.

In the end it was entertaining enough, with enough tension in act 3 to pull it off and keep me interested. Some of the action shots are pretty dope and leighton meester does a great job as the doctor sister role. 5.7/10.

IN A NUTSHELL:

Two siblings fight to survive deadly rapids while on a river rafting trip with a small group of strangers, one of whom has a dangerous past.

The film was written and directed by Ben Ketai with writing help from Mike Nguyen Le.

In case you're wondering, this movie has nothing to do with the 1994 movie The River Wild starring Kevin Bacon and Meryl Streep. The stories are completely different, although this one was released on the 29th anniversary of the first one.

THINGS I LIKED:

The cast includes Adam Brody, Courtney Chen, Eve Connolly, Matt Devere, Taran Killam, Leighton Meeter, Olivia Swann, and Nick Wittman.

Adam Brody and Leighton Meester are a couple in real life.

It must have been difficult to keep the camera steady on the river during the day and the night. The cinematography was very good. The various shots of the waterfalls were gorgeous.

It's good to be a doctor or, at least, to know some First Aid in an emergency!

THINGS I DIDN'T LIKE:

Sometimes, the camera goes out of focus during action sequences.

I've seen the movie listed as River Wild as well as The River Wild. Which one is it?

There are some plot holes and a serious escalation of bad choices.

I hate watching characters make stupid decisions.

It's really hard to see what's going on in the dark, night scenes.

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

Profanity and crude expressions People flip the bird.

We see blood.

People die.

Various weapons are used in several fights.

The characters in this film make some of the dumbest decisions, and the main motivation for the "villain" really doesn't make a whole lot of sense. Also for a film about rafting it doesn't have very many intense rafting scenes like the 94' film has. The storyline doesn't make a whole lot of sense and isn't written well at all. Plus the movie just ends abruptly.

The River Wild from 1994 is a much better film, and I just recommend watching that instead if you have never seen it. The new film is supposed to be inspired from it and not actually a remake, but it does take certain plot points from it. The original plot though is so much better in every way.

"River Wild" is a great movie made with a small budget. I give it a 5-star. The acting is okay, not amazing but not bad either. The best part is how well it shows the beautiful landscape.

The movie takes you on a journey through stunning scenery. The actors move through forests and along rivers, and it all looks amazing. The way they show the landscape makes you feel like you're right there with them.

Even though it's not a big-budget movie with fancy effects, it still manages to capture the beauty of nature in a way that feels real and authentic. It's like taking a trip to the great outdoors without leaving your seat.

Overall, "River Wild" is a good watch, especially if you enjoy movies that showcase the beauty of nature. It proves that you don't need a lot of money to make a great film, as long as you have a good story and know how to capture the world around you.

I don't know why people compare this to the 1994 movie. It is completely a different movie. Only thing in common is water.

The script was average. Very predictable. But as someone else explained, you end up yelling at the TV. There are things happen that cause you to wonder why did they film it this way.

Other times it just doesn't make sense to film it that way. I try not to give things away so you can make up your own mind.

I like strong characters, this had too many weak ones.

Not sure why it got a 5.7 but it wasn't a bad put together film.

I do wish the cinematographer used more for what the landscape had to offer.