Wild America (1997): Dir: William Dear / Cast: Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Devon Sawa, Scott Bairstow, Tracey Walter, Frances Fisher: Idiotic contraption regarding the enthusiasm these kids have towards American wildlife where they foolishly put their lives on the line due to contrived plot details. They purchase a camera and are granted the rest of the summer to shoot wildlife. They are nearly eaten by an alligator, encounter sleeping bears in a cave for which they sing back to sleep after a near tragedy, one of them rides the antlers of a moose in a totally stupid sequence. One of them injures his leg during a squabble. Yet this is suppose to be family entertainment. Director William Dear displays more skill than the cast, and he does deliver on great shots of wildlife. Jonathan Taylor Thomas is the film's star who, in opening scenes, allows himself to be part of stupid stunts that no kid needs to be encouraged to participate in. He is joined by Devon Sawa and Scott Bairstow and together they prove to have more guts than brains. Tracy Walter is featured among the locals as well as the stereotypical strict father who learns to lighten up and encourage his children to get eaten by animals. Parents like this really need to be educated on the dangers of wild animals and the potential for curios kids to wind up as lunch. Its wildlife message is side tracked by idiocy leaving it as nothing to go wild over. Score: 3 / 10

I really truly disagree. I have this movie and watch it frequently. (yes i spelt it wrong) I watch it all the time because it's an amazing movie. The director chose the actors wisely and they all fit their character perfectly. I can't understand why anyone would give this movie a bad rating. Scott Bairstow, (Marty) plays the eldest brother who decides to move out and buy a camera to film America's wildlife. Devon Sawa (Mark) goes with them. They take the truck and head off. 20 miles past Matazuma, Jonathan Taylor Thomas (Marshall) pops up from the back of the truck. Mark had a book of Wild Animal Attacks, and Marshall couldn't take it anymore. The three bothers headed off. They were looking for a cave of bears. That sleep together during the winter. They're not sure if it's real or not. Everyone keeps telling them that bears sleep alone. They stop at a stream, Marty and Mark taking a rest stop, and Marshall down stream filling up the canteens. Funny how that works out. An eagle flys by and snatches up a fish. They run to the van to get the camera, but the doors are locked. This time, they're not taking any chance's. They go to a place called Alligator Hell. The man was telling them about how the alligator ate his dog in one swallow, then took of his leg. They went out into the bog and Mark threw out the bait, but it got stuck on a branch. Mark put on wet pants and went into the bog. By the time he got to the bait, the bog was up to his neck. Suddenly, he's pulled under. Marty starts the boat, but hits a log and Marshall goes in with the flashlight. He sees Mark under the water, his pants are stuck on a branch. Marshall comes up and Marty tosses him the knife. Marshall cuts Mark free and then they swim to the surface. But Marshall drops the flashlight, so he goes down to get it. He gets it and in front of him is the Alligator! Does Marshall get out? Well of course he does because the movie doesn't stop there. But do they find the cave? Do they become famous? Well watch the movie to find out!

This movie is HORRIBLY made. I don't know how low a budget this movie has,but it looks low. Hard ice is made of sheet plastic and when it tears, looks like sheet plastic, with frayed edges. I have yet in my life to see ice with frayed edges. The acting? Let's see: formula for a good movie....1) hire the worst of the 3 sons on "Home Improvement", (2) hire the most inexperienced screenwritersyou can find (David Michael Wieger has written nothing but this movie--checkhim out) and (3) the most incompetent director--his career highlight being the amazing "Harry and the Hendersons".The only reason I watched this movie was at the request of my two incrediblytheatrically unknowledged roommates. Boy, I wish I had my night back.

Spoilers herein.This is the `Blair Witch Project' except from the other end and as if it were done by the scooby gang. It is an absolute excrescence, except for the amazing visage of Francis Fisher. If only the woman could act, it would be great because the camera loves her so. ... And those aerial shots are always a nickel's worth of pleasure.But it is on my list because it is a (bad) movie about the making of a (good) movie.Ted's Evaluation -- 1 of 3: You can find something better to do with this part of your life.