The Wild Life

From the Beligium animation studios, Nwave Pictures, The Wild Life is a historical action-adventure film that tells the story of Robinson Crusoe, but from the perspective of the animals living on the island he became shipwrecked on.  The movie starts off before Crusoe’s unexpected visit with Mak the parrot,, and the other island animals carrying about their day as usual on the uninhabited island scavenging for food, playing, and enjoying the simple life.   Mak, with his extreme curiosity for the bigger world out there becomes determined to prove his friends wrong.  Enter Crusoe.  The animals try to make sense of this strange new human being that has intruded on their paradise.

Straight of the heals of the very successful Secret Life of Pets, Wild Life is a big misstep when coming to character and story line development.  We learn that the bad guys in the film are a set of ruthless, blood thirty cats determine  to kill Crusoe and his dog, his new animal friends and take over the island.  Most of the film is spent watching Crusoe attempt to make the island a home and fighting off those vicious cats.

With such a choppy and story line, it is really had to get hooked to this tale and emotionally connect with the characters.  While it’s enjoyable to watch the animals and their various abilities, there is much to the Crusoe character.  He is portrayed as a clumsy, prone to injury and not very handy with a tool.  The animals step up to help him build his huge treehouse shelter.

Quite frankly, this movie was my least favorite of the year.  There was no interesting characters, the comic relief was lacking in a trying-too-hard scenario, and the action sequences were bland and unentertaining.   I would say it’s a great babysitter for the little of littlest kiddos, age 5 and under.  Adults and older kids will most likely find little interest in it.

1 out of 5 stars.