You vs Wild review
Late last year Netflix exploded onto the scene again with a resurgence of the choose your own adventure genre of filmmaking with Bandersnatch. A movie that gave you different outcomes and encouraged viewer participation. Similarly, Netflix is going full force into this genre with its latest TV show You vs Wild where you "control" Bear Grylls surviving multiple landscapes across the globe. The Man vs Wild star joins Netflix as they put together eight episodes across multiple terrains where Bear must either survive, rescue, or deliver precious cargo.
Most of the episodes revolve around Bear Grylls going into difficult terrains on missions to rescue someone, or something. These "missions" allow the viewer a goal and an easier time choosing how to get there. Will you take the river that's crawling with crocodiles, or bushwhack through the jungle where you could come face to face with a jaguar? These types of questions set up two completely different routes that further branch off from each other, creating a larger map of choices than Bandersnatch could have achieved. Because there are multiple paths to get to your goal it makes "replaying" the episode enjoyable as there are few overlapping scenes.
Unfortunately, the way this show is structured is also it's downfall. The first mission is split into two episodes. One episode to rescue someone, another to deliver the medicine she was carrying. While this was a fun entry level into the world of You vs Wild you'll start to notice that each episode has similar questions. Usually about what Bear Grylls will have to eat to keep up his energy, but also whenever he comes into contact with "wild" animals. The first two part mission is quite similar to a later two part mission involving venom, and even the one off episodes have similar story beats. The overall story doesn't go into any crazy detours as Bandersnatch so gleefully did, so it'll feel more grounded, yet predictable the further along into the season you go.
Consequently, because most of the episodes are structured as "missions" there are no real surprises to keep you invested in each adventure with the exception of the change in scenery. The show doesn't go in depth into survival methods and gives you more of a CliffsNotes version of the trek while providing very standard commentary such as "The fire is still warm, she has to be close" or "We can camp in this cave, but there might be wild animals further in it." Not only that but the artificiality of the missions also bleed into animal interaction. Animals are rarely seen and only introduced, awkwardly, whenever a choice comes up and the "plot" demands action. Because of this you can't help but feel bad for the animals as you watch Bear Grylls shoot pebbles at a crocodile with a slingshot, wave a stick in a stabbing motion at a wolf, and chases after sheep to tie up and use as a bed.
Grylls tries his best to put enough enthusiasm and passion into the show, but in the end You vs Wild doesn't come close to previous non-interactive survival shows. The interactivity ironically takes you further out of the experience and shows you the mechanisms the show uses making it stick out like a sore thumb. It's entertaining and breezy, but hardly rises to the challenge to make something more than just a gimmick. The varied locations will be pleasing to the eyes and there are a few spots that are genuinely entertaining, especially on a first "play through," but after that initial spark you'll probably be wishing you turned on Discover channel instead.
5/10
