THE WILD

Year: 2006
USA: Buena Vista Distribution
UK: Buena Vista International UK
Cast (voices of): Kiefer Sutherland, James Belushi, Greg Cipes, Eddie Izzard, Janeane Garofalo, William Shatner, Richard Kind, Patrick Warburton, Dominic Scott Kay, Jonathan Kimmel, Joseph Siravo, Jason Connery, Don Cherry, Colin Cunningham, Chris Edgerly, Bob Joles, Carolyn Lawrence, Clinton Leupp, Nikki Payne, Kari Wahlgren
Director: Steve 'Spaz' Williams
Country: USA
USA: 85 mins
UK: 82 mins
USA Rated: G
UK Certificate: U contains mild language and violence
USA Release Date: 14 April 2006
UK Release Date: 26 May 2006


UK Distributor

Synopsis

An odd assortment of animals from the New York Zoo - including a lion, a giraffe, an anaconda, a koala, and a squirrel - discover what a jungle the city can be when one of their own is mistakenly shipped to the wild and they embark on a dangerous mission to rescue him in "The Wild," presented by Walt Disney Pictures. This wild and outrageous computer-animated comedy-adventure boasts an impressive vocal ensemble - Kiefer Sutherland (as the respected lion leader, Samson), Greg Cipes (as Samson's son, Ryan), Jim Belushi (as Benny, the street savvy squirrel and Samson's best friend), Janeane Garofalo (as a quick witted giraffe), Richard Kind (as a dim-witted anaconda), William Shatner (as a wicked wildebeest), and Eddie Izzard (as Nigel, an acerbic koala) - along with cutting edge animation, and a story filled with hilarious situations.

THE WILD is directed by Steve 'Spaz' Williams, an Oscar®-nominated visual effects veteran (THE MASK), who helped to pioneer CG character animation through his work at ILM on such films as THE ABYSS, JURASSIC PARK, and TERMINATOR 2: JUDGEMENT DAY. He also directed the popular series of Blockbuster commercials featuring the computer-animated characters Carl the rabbit and Ray the guinea pig. Adding to the film's fun and entertainment is a spectacular score by multi- Oscar®-nominated composer Alan Silvestri (BACK TO THE FUTURE, POLAR EXPRESS), and a soundtrack filled with new and familiar tunes by such popular recording artists as Coldplay, Everlife, Lifehouse, and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. Former "Monty Python" member Eric Idle and fellow songwriter John Du Prez, the team responsible for the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, "Spamalot," wrote and performed the song, "Really Nice Day" for the film.

Characters

Samson (Kiefer Sutherland), the legendary lion and turtle-curling champion is the "mane attraction" at the New York Zoo and loves to regale his zoo-mates, and teenage son, Ryan, with hair-raising stories about his days in the wild. But beneath these tales of magnificent bravery lies the real truth that Samson has never set a paw inside a real jungle in his entire life. With a heart of gold, and a genuine love for his son, Samson lives up to his roaring reputation when he ventures beyond his familiar territory and leads his friends on the journey of a lifetime to rescue Ryan. Kiefer Sutherland, the superstar of TV's hit series "24," adds humor, emotion, and entertainment to the voice of this parent whose pride is showing.

Benny (Jim Belushi) Samson's best friend and moral sounding board is a street savvy New York squirrel. Despite his puny size, Benny is a big thinker when it comes to love, and he certainly has a tall order when he sets his sights on a twelve-foot giraffe named Bridget (Janeane Garofalo).

Ryan (Greg Cipes), Samson's rebellious teenage son is bored with zoo life and living in the shadow of his famous father. Longing for the excitement of the untamed jungle that Samson is always boasting about, and looking to find his roar, Ryan sets out to experience wild life for himself. When he escapes from the zoo, he sets into motion a wild adventure that turns the animal kingdom on its ear.

Nigel (Eddie Izzard) is a koala bear but beneath the cute and cuddly exterior of the Zoo's merchandise megastar is a tormented fellow with an acerbic wit. Tired of his reputation and the abuse he gets from his zoo-mates, Nigel longs to escape his cute image encouraged by his teddy bear likeness. A whole new life awaits this unsuspecting bear when he discovers that he has been chosen to lead the wildebeests as "The Great Him."

Bridget, a quick-witted and fiercely independent, graceful giraffe lends invaluable help to Samson and the rest of the animal rescue team with her towering height and persistent pragmatism. Not only does she have to cope with the physical demands of the concrete jungle, but she also has to fend off the advances of her amorous eight-inch tall squirrel suitor, Benny.

Kazar (William Shatner) is the fanatic leader of a cult of wildebeests who want to be the hunters rather than the hunted, Kazar finds himself dancing to the beat of a different drummer as he makes his move to the top of the food chain. A darn good choreographer in his own right, this beastly character rules with an iron hoof, and pins all his hopes on the arrival of "The Great Him."

Larry (Richard Kind), all twenty-one feet of him, as an anaconda lays claim to having the greatest length of any animal in the zoo, but he's a bit short when it comes to common sense. Always flexible and willing to pitch in, Larry comes in handy throughout the adventure as a pulley, a pole, a steering wheel, and a slingshot capable of firing a lion a considerable distance.

Blag (Patrick Warburton) is Kazar's clumsy wildebeest aide-de-camp is a gigantic brute who secretly harbors resentment for his boss.