The Wild
| The Wild | |
|---|---|
 New York, Samson, and his friends are going to The Wild to find Ryan, Samson's son | |
| Directed by | Steven "Spaz" Williams |
| Written by | Ed Dector |
| Produced by | Clint Goldman |
| Starring | Kiefer Sutherland Jim Belushi Greg Cipes Eddie Izzard Janeane Garofalo Richard Kind William Shatner Patrick Warburton Bob Joles Chris Edgerly Don Cherry |
| Distributed by | Walt Disney Pictures Buena Vista Pictures |
Release dates | April 14, 2006 |
Running time | 89 Minutes |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $70,000,000 |
The Wild is a computer-animated film directed by Steven 'Spaz' Williams, produced by Clint Goldman, assistant produced by John Burton and C.O.R.E. Feature Animation, and was released by Walt Disney Pictures on April 14, 2006. The story was written by Ed Dector.
Story
After the New York City zoo closes, some animals play a game of turtle-curling including five, Samson the lion, Benny the squirrel, Bridget the giraffe, Larry the anaconda, and Nigel the koala and the co-captain. However, during the game Ryan, Samson's son, makes a stampede of gazelles and set the game in havoc. After shaming Ryan, Samson tells Benny his feelings and tries to find Ryan to apologize to him. However, Samson immediately learns that Ryan was accidentally shipped to Africa. Samson decides to leave with Benny, leaving the rest of his team behind. However, right when Benny is giving directions through NY, Bridget accidentally pushs him off with her tail. And all four, without Benny, must make it through NY with their instincts.
While going through the city, Samson sees an ad with him and his son on it. He starts to get anxious to find him. Meanwhile, Bridget falls in love with Geoffrey the Giraffe from Toys R Us ads. Soon, they wind up on the streets, and Samson tries to keep the furry group calm and collective. However, dogs soon appear onto the scene and the gang run through the Serengeti Slip to get away from them. However again, Nigel's taunting brings them back to the catastrophe-based group. Soon however, they decide to go into the sewers to get away from the homicidal dogs. There, they meet Stan and Carmine, two once alligator pets now in the sewers, crocs that decide rather than eating them, they will help them get to the dock they so richly desire. As soon as they get out of the sewer, Nigel sighs with relief and Samson knows they're getting closer than ever to his son.
Shortly after, Samson spots the boat where Ryan is and goes toward. However, it leaves and they find another ship. After scaring off the captain, Larry is on the captain's wheel, and soon everyone's in panic. However, Samson takes control and all is happy until Bridget points out that they have lost sight of Ryan's ship. Meanwhile, however, Benny is on a flying goose over the Atlantic Ocean and spies both Samson and Ryan's ships. He then plops on Bridget's neck and tells Samson that he saw Ryan's ship and introduces Samson to his geese flyer, Nelson. Nelson tells Samson that he'll lead them to Ryans ship and where it's headed. However, after days without food, Nigel starts to go delirious and says he'll jump ship. He then lands in some sand. Benny relizes they have it: the real wild. Bridget tells Samson it must feel like a lifetime since he had been here. Samson gulps and says yeah.
A bit after the furry gang land, Larry spies a burning valcano and finds out why all the animals are being put in crates. Samson then spies Ryan in the crowd and runs after him. Soon, he his face-to-face with a deliberate hyrax and this is when it comes true... Samson isn't from The Wild. He tells them to go to the boat and he has to find his son. Soon, the gang is being protected by Benny The Squirrel and they find out they just might die out in the wild. Benny reluctantly tells them that Samson needs their help and then Nigel disappears. Almost immediately afterward, they meet a herd of wildebeests. They knock Benny unconscious and one reveals that he's Blag. Then, they take Bridget and Larry hostage. Meanwhile, Nigel is returning to consciousness and asks Blag where they're going. They enter a volcano and the wildebeasts do a little dance for Nigel.
Then, another wildebeast enters the room. He also reveals his name is Kazar and says with the help of Nigel, they'll all become carnivores! Nigel looks down at the creatures and sees them bowing down to him. Right at that moment, Samson is still looking for Ryan. Soon, he starts to hear voices and see strange colors and ordinary objects and follows the voices' orders. Not too far off, two vultures named Scab and Scraw found Ryan and decided to tell Kazar about it. Scab comments that the volcano where the beasts lived will blow that afternoon! Kazar then tells Nigel that they want to become carnivores because they are at the bottom of the food chain and Nigel was brought their by the omen, a "I'm so cuddly, I like you" stuffed toy. Nigel finds out they call him the great him and scowls at the plush. Scab and Scraw then tell Kazar about Ryan. Nigel tells them he brought that lion and another one. Kazar then moves his attention to Blag and tells him not to screw it up like his dance number. Right then, Nigel was starting to like the word, king!! In another part of the cave, Bridget and Larry were being kept hostage. After Larry's dumb plan, Bridget just knows they're doomed. Meanwhile, the vultures grab Ryan, he gets free and Samson finds him. He then tells him what he really was, a circus lion. After the story, Ryan is furious, but he still runs with his father. Just then, Samson falls off a cliff and lands with a thud! Benny meanwhile was feeling a lot better and soon found Samson, unconscious. Ryan, though had found Bridget and Larry when he was taken to the prison of the mighty beasts. Larry hugs Ryan, and then Ryan tells the awful truth of what happened to Samson and then apologizes for getting them into this. However, Blag was apologizing for only bringing the cub and Kazar kicked him in the head. He tells Blag to get Ryan. Benny was still trying to find a way to be happy, when Samson spoke and stood up. Soon, they know where to go to find Bridget, Larry, and Ryan. Samson tells Benny how he lost to the wildebeests and how he won't be able to save his son. Benny coaxs him to go find Ryan and soon, they follow Samson's instincts again. Samson and Benny make it to the volcano being guarded by wildebeests. Benny then finds out that chameleons, named Cloak and Camo, were the voices pretending they were his instincts. Cloak tells Samson that the wildebeests have his son and worship a koala. After giving Benny the "no more", Samson gets an idea.
In the volcano, Bridget, Larry, and Ryan are being taken to Nigel, who tell them they're dinner. He then tries to distract them with things he thinks would make the dinner better. Then Benny tells the capturers he has a plan. Suddenlly, Samson comes out of nowhere and Kazar is thrilled to see another lion. Nigel then acts like he's killing Samson, although the cover is broken by Ryan's cheers. Ryan then tells his dad to show who's really at the top of the food chain. Kazar decides to eat Ryan first. While Samson is protecting his son, Larry says they should use what they did to almost win the turtle curling championship, the secret play! Kazar then says that Samson and Ryan are going to be at the bottom of the food chain. Larry then piles a rock, and the secret play begins. The rock shoots like a missile from Larry. The rock hit Kazar on the nose and Samson escaped. As Samson and Kazar battled, they loaded Ryan in the secret play and Ryan roared loud. Just then Kazar is upon the two lions and is about to kill them when the wildebeest herd banishs Kazar from their minds. Samson then roars at Kazar and the volcano rumbled. Everyone except Kazar left. While the valcano exploded, Kazar was killed. The gang makes it to the boat and the koala plush from Kazar spewed in front of Nigel. Suddenly, all the beasts danced and Blag made a new dance. Meanwhile, Cloak and Camo had made Larry a secret agent. However, everyone was too busy dancing to notice. Cloak, Camo, and Larry soon joined in. Benny sighed and muttered it was going to be a long ride home as the boat rocked through the deep and vast ocean.
Characters
Samson the Lion
Samson is a male lion whose son Ryan is lost after yelling at him for not being wild. While he has been always known to be wild, he is really a circus lion cub, and mature zoo lion at heart! Even though he brags about knowing a lot about the wild, his secret is that he's never really been, and is making all of the stories up. Samson is a good lion though, and doesn't mean to fool his friends.
Benny the Squirrel
Benny is a street-smart squirrel with great knowledge. Of all the animals who help save Ryan, Benny is Samson's favorite. He also has a crush on Bridget, and is not afraid to admit it.
Bridget the Giraffe
The only female in the group, Bridget can easily be pampered, and she feels insecure. According to Benny, she's the most beautiful and exotic animal in all of the Big Apple.
Nigel the Koala
Nigel is a koala with an British accent who's tired of being "cute," and never leaves his little plastic torch on the ground! His life is somewhat changed, however, when he's worshipped by the wildebeests.
Larry the Anaconda
A dim-witted anaconda who tries to keep up with Samson and the gang, but it's tough with no hands or legs! Though he does help, being the stretchiest animal in the U.S., he can be many things, such as a turtle shooter at turtle curling! Since he is also a Disney character, it's not surprising that he bears a striking resemblance to Kaa the python.
Ryan the Lion Cub
Due to his father accidentally saying he's worthless at being wild, Ryan is accidentally shipped to Africa. Now, because of him, the greatest rescue mission since Finding Nemo is taking place.
Kazar the Wildebeest
A wicked wildebeest, who no longer wants to dwell at the bottom of the food chain.
Blag The Wildebeast
Kazar's poor assistant is always in trouble for the tiniest things, though during Kazar's combat, he gets his sweet revenge he has always desired.
Additional Characters
Cloak and Camo The Chameleons
Covert agents or not, they were caught by Benny and shown to Samson, since they might know a thing or two about where Ryan is.
Scab and Scraw The Vultures
Two vultures who make quick cameos while finding Ryan out in the jungle, however, disappear, during Samson's mini combat.
Donald The Turtle
The turtle used for turtle shelling at the zoo.
Team Penguin
The competition team for turtle shelling at New York.
The Pigeons
Plays a major part in telling where Ryan is headed, to the lady with the spikes.
Stan And Carmine The Crocodiles
Looking ferocious, they might be deadly, but when settled, they can help. And so they do, while helping Samson and the gang get out of the sewers.
The Canadian Geese
New friends of Benny that help at sea to find the ship that's holding Ryan.
Duke And Eze
Ryans friends at the zoo who try to make him go wild!!
A rip-off?
The Wild received some harsh responses even before the trailer premiered. One site (1) described it as "Madagascar meets Finding Nemo with The Lion King thrown in for effect."
The movie has many similarities to Madagascar including its setting in New York, similar animals as characters, and the primary plot of introducing zoo animals to the wild. The name of the film and the tagline, "Start spreading the newspaper", a play on the opening line from the "Theme from New York, New York", were both used as integral plot points in Madagascar. Because of this, some people believe that the movie is a possible rip-off or plagiarized version of Madagascar, a Jack Bauer-meets-Madagascar film. [1] [2]
This would not be the first time two films with a similar theme were released in close proximity. In the fall of 1998, Dreamworks released its talking bug film "Antz" mere weeks before Disney/Pixar released "A Bug's Life."However, there is strong evidence to show that The Wild was in production first. Animators from the film have come forward on internet communities and stated openly that they had been working on The Wild already when they first saw the trailer for Madagascar. Several even believe that Marty's line "I want to go to the Wild!" is a direct mocking of their own efforts. When released in 2005, Madagascar was criticized by some critics for its underwhelming story and relatively shoddy animation. Director Steve "Spaz" Williams has said he first received the script in 2001. His contract with Disney stated that C.O.R.E would animate, and this contract was green-lit in 2003. The Wild has reportedly been in some form of production for a decade, first being called "The Big Break", then "Wildlife", and finally The Wild. [3]
The very few things it has in common (the tagline "Start Spreading The Newspaper", the lion and giraffe, dancing animals etc.) have been pointed out by others, although saying that hundreds of movies did this before 'The Wild. However, in the Reuters' review, their film critic wrote that the movie was "lacking distinctive personality or humor and unfortunately coming across as an all-too-soon remake [of Madagascar]."[4]. On the other hand, Michael Wilmington of the Los Angeles Times preferred the Disney film, writing it was better "mostly because it has some truly spectacular animation and because the cast is just as likable — even, in some cases, preferable."
Soundtrack
The musical score is by Everlife, Real Wild Child, performed by Lifehouse, playing Good Enough. The song "Really Nice Day" is performed by Eric Idle and John Du Prez, Big time Boopin' is performed by Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, scores Tales From The Wild, You Can't Roar, and Lost In The City are only a few of the scores on the soundtrack, and "Come Sail Away" is performed by Sting. The soundtrack is available from Walt Disney Records. For more, go to The Wilds soundtrack website here.
Video games
A video game for Gameboy Advance based on The Wild is already out. Players get to play as Benny The Squirrel and Samson the lion as they go through New York, the sea, and Africa to find Ryan, while battling a wicked wildebeest by the name Kazar.
The video game is rated E for Cartoon Violence.
The games on the official website are Alliagator Alley, Turtle Toss, and Benny's Lunk Dunk.
Trailers And Clips
What A Jungle (Teaser Trailer)
We Could Have Taken You To A Disco!
Who Put That Bar There? (The Zoo Is Ours, or Dude!)
Box Office and Merchandise
The Wild opened in 2,854 theatres and according to Box Office Results, the film is at 4 at the box office and have 9.5 million dollar weekend at the box office. It's promotion might have to do with walk in thetere buisness says another weeked box offcie predicting site.
It's promotion is small, with only the following it promotioners, Kraft, McDonalds, Amazon (selling the products and mini promotions on its site), BVG (Buena Vista Games), Walt Disney Records, Walt Disney Book Publishing Worldwide, consisting of 4 books full of postcards, novels, pictures, and magnets stick on pages books, and thetere standees and stickers.
Cast
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Kiefer Sutherland | Samson the Lion |
| Jim Belushi | Benny the Squirrel |
| Greg Cipes | Samson's son, Ryan |
| Janeane Garafalo | Bridget the Giraffe |
| Richard Kind | Larry the Anaconda |
| Eddie Izzard | Nigel the Koala |
| William Shatner | Kazar the Wildebeest |
| Bob Joles | Cloak The Chameleon Covert Agent |
| Chris Edgerly | Camo The Chameleon Covert Agent |
| Patrick Warburton | Blag The Wildebeast |
| Don Cherry | Turtle Curling Penguin MC |
| Lenny Venito | Carmine The Sewer Alliagator |
| Joseph Siravo | Stan, Carmines Pal and Sewer Alliagator |
| Miles Marsico | Duke, Ryans friend and a hippo |
| Jack De Sena | Eze, A kangerooo and another one of Ryans friends |
| Collin Hay | Fergus Flamingo |
| Eddie Gossling | Scraw The Vulture |
| Jonathon Kimmel | Scab The Vulture |
| David Cowgill | Hamir |
Crew
- Directed by [5]]Steve "Spaz" Williams
- Written by Ed Decter, Mark Gibson and Philip Halprin
- Produced by John Burton
- Co-producers Jane Park and John J. Strauss
- Music by Alan Silvestri
- Edited by Scott Balcerek and Steven L. Wagner
- Production designer Chris Farmer
- Art director Chris Farmer and Michael E. Goldman