The Wild Life
Lionsgate | Release Date: September 9, 2016 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
36
METASCORE
Generally unfavorable reviews based on 17 Critic Reviews
Positive:
2
Mixed:
6
Negative:
9
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
70
VarietyPeter DebrugeSep 7, 2016
Whether dangling characters off the edge of a cliff or zooming around Crusoe’s rickety wooden waterslide, the story is constantly on the go, launching objects and characters along the Z axis — and out over the audiences’ heads. Read full review
63
RogerEbert.comSheila O'MalleySep 9, 2016
The film tries to pack in a little bit too much in its running time, and there isn't a comedic moment until well into the film, a strange choice in a movie for kids, but The Wild Life has its moments of charm, hilarity, and slapstick that worked really well. Read full review
60
The New York TimesHelen T. VerongosSep 8, 2016
The Wild Life is pretty to look at, with its skies and ocean, calm or stormy, and it has a driving soundtrack. But the story lacks that extra layer of complexity and meaning that parents can appreciate. Read full review
50
The Hollywood ReporterJordan MintzerSep 7, 2016
It’s all rather trite if easygoing entertainment aimed at the 6-and-under set, with A Turtle’s Tale creator Ben Stassen (credited as producer) and director Vincent Kesteloot delivering a colorful 3D adventure that lacks the sophistication of a Zootopia or Kung Fu Panda, but thankfully avoids some of their snark as well. Read full review
50
Los Angeles TimesKatie WalshSep 7, 2016
The Wild Life is a family-friendly take on the story of Crusoe, with a twist, and kids no doubt will be drawn to the colorful animal characters, but there's a lack of emotional connection that makes the film just another cartoon flick, not a special favorite or animated classic. Read full review
40
New York Daily NewsRaakhee MirchandaniSep 14, 2016
Felines, too often maligned as conniving and sly, get no love in The Wild Life, a tale that's inspired by Robinson Crusoe and perpetuates dangerous kitty stereotypes. And that's the best part of the movie. Read full review
40
The GuardianMike McCahillSep 7, 2016
Each helter-skelter turn throws up story and design elements you’ll have seen better programmed elsewhere. Read full review
40
Austin ChronicleSteve DavisSep 7, 2016
Any adult attending this film with a pre-K offspring may need to reassure the child afterward that little Tigger back home won’t devour him in his sleep. No kidding. They’re that scary. The Wild Life is an ailurophobe’s nightmare. Read full review
38
The Globe and Mail (Toronto)Andrew ParkerSep 8, 2016
It’s dreadfully boring to anyone over the age of 4, but at least it isn’t trying to sell kids anything. I guess that’s a plus. Read full review
38
Boston GlobeTom RussoSep 8, 2016
The Wild Life, while pleasant, is just too flat to meet the challenge. Read full review
38
Movie NationRoger MooreSep 8, 2016
The colors are vibrant, the sea, palm trees, birds, bird-feathers and Crusoe’s red hair are almost photo-realistic. But as a kids’ cartoon, Wild Life is a an utter dud. Read full review
37
Washington PostStephanie MerrySep 10, 2016
A few minutes of excitement can’t compensate for an hour and a half of unimaginative storytelling and dull characters. Read full review
25
The Seattle TimesSoren AndersenSep 9, 2016
All things considered, this pitifully plotted Belgian-French production represents the nadir of animated movies released so far this year, a farrago of frantic action and mindless cacophony. Read full review
25
New York PostSara StewartSep 8, 2016
So dull, the kids in my audience didn’t laugh until 45 minutes in — And that was at a coconut head-bonk, a gag so timeless it almost doesn’t count. Read full review
25
San Francisco ChronicleMichael OrdoñaSep 8, 2016
It’s bland. It’s benign. Read full review
25
The A.V. ClubIgnatiy VishnevetskySep 7, 2016
The sort of uninspired international pre-sales item that usually goes straight from a basement booth at the Cannes film market to a Netflix parent’s peripheral vision. The sole interesting thing about NWave’s animation is its use of the camera, which plays to 3-D’s pop-out factor. Read full review
15
TheWrapClaudia PuigSep 8, 2016
Nothing feels remotely fresh, let alone savage or zany in The Wild Life. It’s a dull, uninspired and frantically tedious animated re-telling of the Robinson Crusoe story, complete with a menagerie of ditzy, caterwauling beasts. Read full review
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