Against The Wild

Against the Wild, a 2013 adventure family movie, is directed and written by Richard Boddington with an outstanding cast that includes CJ Adams, Erin Pitt, and Natasha Henstridge. The story revolves around two young siblings and their loyal dog who are left stranded in the wilderness after a plane crash incident. Forced to rely on each other and their dog, the children have to navigate through various struggles and challenges to hold on to their lives and get back to their worried parents.

CJ Adams plays Zach Wade, a typical young teen full of energy and a brave heart, while Erin Pitt is his younger sister Hannah. Hannah has a strong spirit which complements her brother Zach, and together, the duo complements the perfect narrative of family, strength, and survival. The unequivocal star of the show, the hardy Alaskan Malamute, "Chinook," is every bit as significant to the plot, considering the numerous impactful contributions.

The movie commences with the siblings embarking on a plane ride on their uncle's small airplane. Shortly into their journey, the aircraft experiences mechanical problems, forcing an emergency landing. The propeller sputters and fails, and they crash-land in a deserted forest, devoid of any human population. Stranded with their dog 'Chinook', they are miraculously unharmed by the crash but are left alone in the wilderness with absolutely no means of communication.

Once they've assessed the situation, Zach and Hannah realize they must use every ounce of their courage and wit to navigate this untamed, unpredictable environment that they have suddenly found themselves lost in. Surrounded by seemingly impenetrable woods with wild animals lurking in the shadows, and harsh weather conditions, they know they have to rely on each other and their survival skills to make it out of the wilderness alive.

To complicate things further, the siblings have extremely limited supplies from the crashed plane. All they are able to salvage are an inflatable raft, some unsatisfactory tinned food, a lighter, and a Swiss Army knife. Despite these scarce resources, they dive head-first into the wilderness, braving each new challenge with determination, resilience, and a different kind of spontaneous teamwork that they all discover with each passing moment.

Paralleling this intense survival quest is a contrasting narrative of the angst-ridden parents, played by Natasha Henstridge and Ted Whittall. As they freshly grapple with the reality of their children's situation, they embark on a desperate mission to find and rescue their children. The inclusion of this narrative amplifies the emotion in the story, balancing the raw, visceral thrill of survival in the wild with the heart-wrenching emotional struggle back home.

As the story unwinds, viewers experience an edge-of-the-seat adventure that beautifully intertwines survival, courage, family bonds, and the endearing relationship between children and their faithful dog. The uncanny understanding that Chinook seems to have of the situation is both heartwarming and inspiring, strengthening the love for dogs in the hearts of viewers.

Shot amidst breathtakingly stunning landscapes, Against the Wild subtly communicates the dichotomy of Nature. On one hand, it is a realm of a frightening wilderness, packed with potential dangers behind every corner. On the other hand, it serves as a reservoir for life lessons about survival, teamwork, and courage, underpinning the beauty that lies in every challenge.

Despite being a survival drama, Against the Wild balances intensity with sparks of light-hearted moments, making it an ideal family watch. It's a movie that will have you rooting for the young heroes and their furry companion from start to finish. Their story is one of survival, but it’s also about growing up, building resilience, and understanding the profound bond that exists within a family.

The movie ultimately underscores the power of hope, familial bonds, and the unspoken language of companionship, making it not just an adventure film but also an emotionally stirring portrayal of survival against all odds. Against the Wild proves, without a doubt, that sometimes the greatest adventures are those we least expect and are forced to take on.