Strange Wilderness

NEW YORK (CNS) -- A road movie that goes nowhere, "Strange Wilderness" (Paramount) is as vulgar as it is pointless.

Having inherited a popular wildlife TV program from his father, pot-dazed slacker Peter Gaulke (Steve Zahn) has rapidly caused the show's ratings to plummet. Even in its new 3 a.m. time slot, "Strange Wilderness" seems headed for cancellation.

When his dad's old buddy offers Peter a map that will locate the legendary Bigfoot, Peter figures that capturing the beast on tape will build his audience numbers. This hoped-for coup, however, will require him to travel to the South American jungle and compete against a better organized and better financed competitor, Sky Pierson (Harry Hamlin).

The technical crew Peter assembles turns out to be every bit as clueless as he is. In addition to long-standing sidekick Fred (Allen Covert) and truculent intern Cooker (Jonah Hill), his colleagues include confirmed stoner Junior (Justin Long) and a beer-swilling car mechanic turned animal handler named Whitaker (Kevin Heffernan). Amid this motley crew, travel adviser Cheryl (Ashley Scott) promises good sense as well as prospective romance.

Meeting the team nearer their destination will be their gruff but well-intentioned guide, Dick (Blake Clark). Will these misfits beat Pierson to Bigfoot's cave? Can even Sasquatch footage save Peter's show?

Co-writer and director Fred Wolf's feeble attempts to find humor in a bloody shark attack, Whitaker's alcoholism and another character's dependence on Lithium merely register as puerile. As the movie reaches a crescendo of obscenity during a climactic scene in a crowded restaurant, a little girl asks plaintively, "Why are they using so many bad words?"

Well might we all ask the same.

The film contains brief but graphic sexual activity, full-frontal male nudity, upper and rear female nudity, drug use, pervasive rough and crude language, including nearly 70 uses of the f-word, some crass and profane language, and sexual humor and imagery. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is O -- morally offensive. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R -- restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.

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Copyright (c) 2007 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops