River Wild

The characters in this film make some of the dumbest decisions, and the main motivation for the "villain" really doesn't make a whole lot of sense. Also for a film about rafting it doesn't have very many intense rafting scenes like the 94' film has. The storyline doesn't make a whole lot of sense and isn't written well at all. Plus the movie just ends abruptly.

The River Wild from 1994 is a much better film, and I just recommend watching that instead if you have never seen it. The new film is supposed to be inspired from it and not actually a remake, but it does take certain plot points from it. The original plot though is so much better in every way.

The movie is fine, a little overly dramatic, but altogether a fine watch when there's nothing else to watch. I did wonder if the actors and filmmaker were friends because there are a lot of connections between actors.

But the thing I'm taking umbrage with is the number of people on here trying to say this isn't a remake. It IS a remake in the actual sense. The end credits specifically say: Based on the film "The River Wild" written by Denis O'Niell. So, even though it's been rewritten and all, it's factually a remake.

And AS a remake, it's actually quite good in that they took a story and recreated the dynamics but still deliver on the same dread as with the original. Similar to the 2022 Wrong Turn remake.

River Wild 2023 is a fairly thrilling Netflix movie. There are definitely some parts where it lingers too long on dialogue and stock footage of northern American wilderness but otherwise its fast pace keeps your attention. There's plenty of action, combat, and white water rafting.

The story is fairly standard, an unhinged ex-con gets into trouble on a camping trip and goes on a crime spree trying to avoid jail. You only really care about the two main characters, Gray and Joey, because they're the only ones with character arcs. There are a few plot holes here and there, a couple really dumb decisions that'd give a cheesy slasher a run for its money. So if you're easily frustrated by dumb people in horror movies, best to avoid River Wild. I didn't mind it as a fan of shlocky horror.

All-in-all, the stunts are good, pretty scenic shots, well-choreographed fistfights, thrilling life or death situations. I wish they spent more time white water rafting, but otherwise it's an enjoyable high-stakes thriller netflix original.

I don't know why people compare this to the 1994 movie. It is completely a different movie. Only thing in common is water.

The script was average. Very predictable. But as someone else explained, you end up yelling at the TV. There are things happen that cause you to wonder why did they film it this way.

Other times it just doesn't make sense to film it that way. I try not to give things away so you can make up your own mind.

I like strong characters, this had too many weak ones.

Not sure why it got a 5.7 but it wasn't a bad put together film.

I do wish the cinematographer used more for what the landscape had to offer.

This movie is a classic case of stupid decisions being made to further the plot.

The acting is serviceable, Brody doing the heavy lifting.

But the plot suffers from cliches and tropes. The script is, at times, painful. With clunky, stilted expositional lines that just can't replace the solid script theory of "show don't tell."

it gets ridiculously "I am woman, hear me roar" towards the end.

I appreciate a good attempt at something indie. It has promise. It kept my interest. I actually did feel invested.

They did a lot of things right.

But at the end of it all, stupid people doing stupid things is what keeps this movie moving forward.