Premiering a score of shows this season, the CW boasts a new and different fall line up; after watching one of their new shows, "Life is Wild," it is irritatingly clear, however, that this drama is nothing of the sort.
Katie Clarke, the protagonist and narrator of the series, played by Leah Pipes, is forced to leave her life in the bustle of New York City behind to spend a year in South Africa. Although her veterinarian father, Danny (D.W. Moffett) claims the catalyst for the abrupt move is the compelling need for vets in South Africa, it becomes obvious through awkward bickering, that Danny is desperately trying to bring his blended family consisting of a second wife, step-children, and his own kids together.
After the untimely death of her mother, Katie quickly assumed a maternal role for her 11-year-old brother, Chase (K'Sun Ray), and simultaneously suppressed any feelings of grief she surely felt. Despite the family's move to the Blue Antelope, a "retired" lodge littered with pictures of her late mother, Katie's mature and monotone fa?§ade never waivers.
On the other hand, Jesse (Andrew St. John), Katie's foil and step-brother, is much less composed. As the hour progresses (slowly), Jesse's troubled character unravels: he had been expelled from school in New York for drinking, stealing, and lying, and starts the self-deprecating cycle anew in South Africa. Jesse is, in fact, so badass that in the opening scenes of the show, he casually strolls past an angry lioness on Blue Antelope property with not so much as a flinch.
By the closing credits, "Wild" introduces Jo (Stephanie Niznik), Danny's wrinkle and expression-free second wife; Art (David Butler), Danny's drunk father-in-law and owner of the Blue Antelope; an angry elephant; an injured lioness and her cute cub; some giraffes; and hopelessly bad writing.
No matter how odd the premise of the show, a father's last attempt to bring his dysfunctional family together by moving them onto an unkempt game reserve, "Life is Wild" has a been there, done that element to it.
Reminiscent of the last dreadful episodes of "The OC," the writers pack way too much drama into one hour. Additionally, executive producers Michael Rauch and Charlie Pattison seem to ignore the only component that could have set the series apart from the rest of the CW lineup. Rather than take advantage of rich South African culture, "Life is Wild" focuses too much on each character's often unimportant problems, even those of seven-year-old Mia (Mary Matilyn Mousser) at bedtime. In fact, the only examples of foreign culture and local customs showcased in the entire show are a handful of Zulu words and aggravating, misplaced shots of hippos and other animals.
Channeling the acting talent of the Olsen Twins in their straight-to-video releases, the cast of "Life is Wild" is anything but credible. First of all, the issues that plague the children are far more serious than those imposed upon the adults. The roles of Katie, Jesse and their younger siblings are too emotionally wrought while the actors themselves are too inexperienced to play them credibly.
Perhaps the lowest moment in "Life is Wild" was the heartfelt instant in which teenage Jesse and veterinarian Danny quit their complaining to perform life-saving surgery on the most credible character of all, an injured lioness. While stepson helps stepdad remove a poacher's bullet from the animal's shoulder, the hopeful melody of Hanson's new single, "Believe," appropriately plays in the background.
In short, the CW network's newest drama, "Life is Wild," is an annoyingly melodramatic way to spend a Sunday night.
