Strange Wilderness Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A bunch of lovable losers try to save their terrible animal show by finding Bigfoot, but mostly they just stumble into increasingly bizarre situations, proving that incompetence can sometimes be entertaining.

🍿 Strange Wilderness: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Inheriting ‘Strange Wilderness’

Peter Gaulke inherits his father’s wildlife TV show, ‘Strange Wilderness,’ but struggles to maintain its ratings. The show’s low budget and Peter’s lack of expertise lead to humorous and often disastrous filming situations. The network threatens to cancel the show, giving Peter and his crew only two weeks to improve their ratings.

The Bigfoot Expedition

Desperate to save the show, Peter and his crew embark on a journey to South America to find Bigfoot. They acquire a map from a mentally unstable source and set off in an RV. Along the way, they encounter various comical mishaps and challenges, including a shark attack, a nitrous oxide-fueled road trip, and run-ins with border patrol.

The Hunt for Bigfoot and Its Aftermath

After losing their map and facing numerous setbacks, the crew eventually reaches Bigfoot’s supposed location. They encounter their rival, Sky Pierson, and his team, who have met a grisly end. Finally, they find Bigfoot, but their encounter ends in chaos and accidental violence. The ending is chaotic, filled with dark humor as they try to cover up their actions.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Peter Gaulke (Steve Zahn): The somewhat inept and eccentric host of ‘Strange Wilderness’ who inherits the show from his father and tries to save it.
• Fred (Allen Covert): Peter’s loyal friend and soundman who is always by his side and adds to the chaotic nature of the show.
• Junior (Justin Long): The perpetually stoned cameraman whose laid-back attitude and questionable decisions contribute to the crew’s misadventures.
• Cooker (Jonah Hill): The lazy and unenthusiastic crew member who provides deadpan humor and often finds himself in bizarre situations.
• Cheryl (Ashley Scott): The public relations agent hired to help improve the show’s image, but ends up embroiled in the team’s ridiculous quest.
• Sky Pierson (Harry Hamlin): The better-funded rival wildlife host who is also on the hunt for Bigfoot, creating competition for Peter’s crew.
• Ed Lawson (Jeff Garlin): The network executive who is constantly on Peter’s case about the declining ratings and threatens to cancel the show.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Peter Gaulke: “Luckily, we caught that on tape so that man will be honored.” – Peter says this after filming an alligator attack, showcasing his clueless approach to wildlife filmmaking.
• Peter Gaulke: “Bears were named after a Chicago football team” – Said in a nonsensical wildlife TV show commentary.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $20,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $6,575,282
• Worldwide Gross: $6,964,734

💥 Strange Wilderness Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, I’ll admit, I have a soft spot for dumb comedies, and ‘Strange Wilderness’ absolutely delivers on that front. I found myself laughing at the most ridiculous things, especially the terrible animal facts and the sheer absurdity of their quest. The shark attack scene and the nitrous oxide mishap were pure comedic gold for me. It’s not a cinematic masterpiece, but it’s a fun, goofy escape when you need to switch your brain off and just laugh.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of low-brow comedies”
  • “Viewers who appreciate absurd humor”
  • “Fans of Steve Zahn and Jonah Hill”
  • “Viewers who enjoy movies like Grandma’s Boy”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Crude humor”
  • “Sexual innuendo”
  • “Drug use”
  • “Violence”
  • “Suggestive content”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “Strange Wilderness lives up to its name, offering moviegoers a profoundly bizarre and unfunny comedy experience. The humor is hit or miss, with a lot of misses. It has its moments, but they are too few and far between.
• IMDB: “While some praise the movie’s inspired silliness and comedic timing, others condemn its tastelessness and lack of plot. It’s clear that humor is subjective, as reactions to this film are split.

Audience Reactions

Justin Long’s portrayal of the stoner nephew Junior was a consistent source of laughter and entertainment.: Fans who enjoyed the film often cited the random humor and over-the-top antics as its best qualities.

Overall Consensus: A polarizing comedy that appeals to fans of low-brow humor but may offend those with more refined tastes; love it or hate it, there’s no in-between.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film originated as a series of independently produced short videos by Fred Wolf and Peter Gaulke in the 1990s, parodying wildlife shows.”
• “The short films were initially featured on Comedy Central.”
• “John Burrud, whose father hosted ‘Animal World,’ assisted in producing the original short videos.”

🖥️ How to Watch Strange Wilderness?

Strange Wilderness is available for streaming on various platforms. You can find it for purchase or rental on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and other digital retailers. Check your local listings for availability.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Strange Wilderness, you might like these similar films:

• Grandma’s Boy (2006): Similar stoner humor and ensemble cast from Happy Madison Productions.
• Beerfest (2006): Features a similar plot of a group of misfits on a ridiculous quest.
• Super Troopers (2001): Shares a similar brand of absurd, improvisational humor.

🛒 Strange Wilderness Related Products

• Strange Wilderness [Blu-ray]: Own the hilariously absurd adventure on Blu-ray. A must-have for fans of Happy Madison films and stoner comedies. Limited edition packaging available while supplies last.
• Bigfoot Plush Stuffed Animal: A cuddly Bigfoot plush, inspired by the movie’s legendary creature. A great gift for fans and collectors. High-quality construction for lasting enjoyment.
• The Complete Collection of Wildlife Bloopers: A compilation of hilarious animal-related bloopers, perfect for those who enjoyed the opening scenes of the movie. Digital download available for instant viewing.
• Happy Madison Movie Collection: Bundle including Strange Wilderness and other Happy Madison comedies. Enjoy hours of laughter with this exclusive digital movie collection.

🎧 Soundtrack

Strange Wilderness features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Pushin’ On” – performed by The Quantic Soul Orchestra featuring Alice Russell

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Boers and Bernstein – Chris Rongey’s “Strange Wilderness” Update (03-03-2016)

Ever wondered what a radio show sounds like when they’re riffing on ‘Strange Wilderness’? This clip features a hilarious discussion about the movie and a particular shark scene. Trust me, it’s a fun listen!

Strange Wilderness is absolutely hilarious

Looking for a quick take on why ‘Strange Wilderness’ is so funny? This review nails it – it’s all about the movie knowing how ridiculous it is! Definitely worth a watch if you’re on the fence.

✨ Rate