Release Date: 2 December 2004

Synopsis:

When three guys (Seth Green, Matthew Lillard and Dax Shepard) set out to fulfill their boyhood dreams of finding long-lost ransom money somewhere in the Oregon wilderness, they take a canoe upriver and everything that can go wrong does. Hunted by two crazed backwoods farmers, they encounter a bear that eats their cell phone, death-defying rapids, tree-hugging hippie chicks and an eccentric old mountain man (Burt Reynolds) who might lead them back to safety…or shoot them. A high-speed adventure comedy that will keep audiences guessing and laughing until the very end, “Without a Paddle” is hilarious fun that dares to be wild.

Movie Review:

Four young teens Dan (Seth Green), Jerry (Matthew Lillard), Tom (Dax Shepard) and Billy had made a promise in their childhood tree house to hunt for the legendary bank robber, DB Cooper's treasure or else they would never get back their favourite possession, which were locked-up in a box together with their blood-oath!

Expectedly, the four teens did not work on their promise, which was soon forgotten as they went into adulthood. Dan is now a successful doctor; Jerry, a high-achiever in the field of business; Tom, a haggard motor biker; and Billy, a popular mountaineer cum adventurer.

Unfortunately, Billy was killed during one of his adventures. The remaining three pals then reunited again at Billy's funeral. While catching up with their fond memories inside their childhood tree house, they found a map that was secretly left behind by Billy in the "locked-up box of oath". Surprised to discover that the map contained the route to DB Cooper's treasure, the trio, touched by the late Billy's efforts in fulfilling their childhood promise, decides to continue his dream and actually set out to find the long lost "treasure" somewhere in the Oregon wilderness. This is where the non-stop cracks, which would throw you off the seats, commenced.

First, the trio had a near-death encounter with a bear that eats their cell phone! Their fate worsens when they took a wrong turn at the river junction, causing their canoe to capsize thereby all their means of survival sink into the river. If that is not enough, they encountered two
sadistic farmers coming hot on their heels after they had accidentally burnt their cocaine plantation!

In the midst of all these cat-and-mouse chase, they found a pair of all-natural chicks and an eccentric old mountain man (Burt Reynolds) who might lead them back to safety... or are they heading for more tough luck?

"Without a Paddle" is a movie about how three friends, while in the process of fulfilling their childhood promise, not only strengthened their bond but also re-discover the meaning of living.

Special credits goes to Bart the bear, a 1000-pound, four years old Alaskan brown bear, which are dangerously cute in the movie. Handled by expert bear trainer, Doug Seus, Bart's performance is convincing and loveable! Bart was last seen in the movie "Dr Dolittle 2".

Childhood is always full of fond memories, sweet dreams and unrealistic promises. The cruel pace of time always worn out this valuable part of our younger self, thereby making all of us unimaginative adults. How many of you would continue to hold on to your tiny childhood promises and goes all the way to realise them as you turn into adult?

Sadly, most of us are usually victims of life, who soon perceived these childhood ambitions as "childish" and "impractical". Little did we realised that valuable opportunity to refresh the ways of living may be lost if we were hesitant to recapture the promises made earlier. The movie title may not have any hint but "Without a Paddle", besides a heart-warming theme about valuable friendship and correct mindset of life, is also a quick-pace, unpretentious comedy that will keep audiences laughing till the very end.

There are some inspiring messages from the movie that were worth pondering: you could have spent all the money you earn, but soon you will be able to earned it back again. But if you waste precious time in your life, no matter how hard you try, you never get back the time wasted.

Even though situation may be adverse, if necessary burnt your every dollar notes, just to create warm to enjoy a little more moments on the freezing, lonely snow land as every second is simply worth living!

Movie Rating: B+

Review by Leosen