Emile Hirsch is fantastic occupying almost every frame of Sean Penn's latest directorial effort. Based on the novel by John Krakauer,
Into the Wild follows the journey of Chris McCandless, who abandoned all his earthly possessions upon graduation from Emory University and set out to return to the bare necessities. The story tracks McCandless's journey across country and eventually into the mountains of Alaska. The story is a little long and Eddie Vedder's soundtrack gets a little old at times, but all in all this is Penn's best work behind the lens. Hirsch is likely to finally break out, as has been promised more than a few times before. Admittedly, this is not a popcorn-chomping Saturday night at the movies. Maybe more of a Sunday matinee in my opinion. It's a bit heavy-handed, but ultimately a rewarding watch.
ReelzChannel Rating: 