Film Reviews

Wilderness

• Rating:
• Director: Michael J. Bassett
• Starring: Ben McKay
• Details: UK / 110mins (18).

If you think about a group of unruly and violent teenagers deserted and fighting for survival on an island, the first thing you probably think of is Battle Royale, and director Bassett uses this as his jump off point. But where Battle Royale's protagonists were innocent school kids are forced to murder to survive, Wilderness' kids are convicted drug dealers, murderers, rapists and armed robbers. Not exactly Just Jennings then. After bullying a fellow inmate to the point of suicide, these unkempt youngsters are shipped off to an island in the hope that they will bond and work together. Of course, things don't go according to plan because if they did, there would be no film. Soon, the offenders find that they are not alone on the island and it's not long before things get gruesome. Although it boasts a roll call of recent British horror aficionados (Pertwee was in Dog Soldiers, Alex Reid was in The Descent and the director's previous outing was Deathwatch), it's the cast of unknowns that really impress. With such a huge ensemble cast, it is forgivable that character development is minimal to say the least and the dialogue is clunky at best. There is also no one to get behind and root for since all the characters are detestable from the off. But that's not why we're watching Wilderness, is it? We want to see blood, gore and, if there's time, more blood. Wilderness delivers in spades even if the severed limbs and intestines look less than authentic. The film's only strong point is its graphic violence and in that there is plenty to get in a lather about. Don't go down to the woods today. You've been warned.

Review by Gavin Burke