Review: Jungle

(imdb.com)

Danger brings out plenty of the human spirit. When a life is threatened, the distance one would go to save others and survive is often surprising. From mothers lifting cars to save children to those lost in the woods surviving on nothing but a few drops of water, humans are harrowing creatures. That's why extreme survival films are so intriguing. People are compelling by others' insane feats. It's a shame, however, that the latest journey of human accomplishment in dire situations, Jungle, underwhelms.

Based on a true story, Jungle finds four friends tasked with surviving in the Bolivian jungle after an accident, this film attempts to blend thriller and adventure genres for something that never quite goes far enough to be interesting. Following the account of Yossi Ghinsberg, played in this film by Daniel Radcliffe (The Woman in Black), Jungle also stars Alex Russell (Chronicle) and Joel Jackson (Mother's Day Evil) as Ghinsberg's close friends, and Thomas Kretschmann (King Kong) as their mysterious tour guide.


Each of the men does a great deal of legwork to make the most of a pour script and shallow character development. Between Radcliffe's intricate accent and ability to convey he pains felt by Ghinsberg, and the perfectly acted out bickering of Russell and Jackson's supporting characters, you'd think these characters would feel more realistic. But, something simply doesn't connect. Each feels unreal and bland outside of their listed qualities. Then there's Kretschmann, who makes a valiant effort to be realistic, but comes off as pure fiction. He's a caricature of expedition guides, even wearing typical, costume-like attire.


One of the biggest disappointments in Jungle is its bland execution. With plenty of sequences that should induce gasps from the audiences, one would think the film would be more thrilling. But, in an effort one could only surmise as trying to stay realistic, the horrors of the Amazon feel timid. The adventure flick Jungle could have been and the horrific survival plot it should have had, all culminate into one missed opportunity. Sure, Jungle is visually stunning, but that's about it.


Jungle has flickers of inspiration. It does. But, it also never follows through with those, instead committing to a wide variety and plethora of minute mishaps like quicksand and animals scared off by a single burst of flames. All of this diffuses any tension built; creating a product that is less fantastic and more mediocre. 4 out 10.