While there are some which I admire, overall I'm not a fan of realistic dramas, because, let's face it, everyday life is a realistic drama. I see movies as the ultimate escape, so when I watch a movie, I want it to take me to a place which I've never seen or for it to show me characters doing things which are beyond imagination. And, for most movies, it's very easy to decide in which of these categories they go. Beasts of the Southern Wild is a rare exception, as it presents us with a stark version of reality, which is set inside of world which has distinct elements of fantasy. This creates a mood which will either embrace the viewer or push them away.

Beasts of the Southern Wild takes place in "The Bathtub", an island area which is south of New Orleans, and which sits below a levee. In this isolated corner of the world, the residents live by their own rules. They've created a close-knit community and don't want anything to do with those who love above the levee. Hushpuppy (Quvenzhané Wallis) is a young girl who lives with her father, Wink (Dwight Henry). Their relationship is unique, to say the least, as they live in separate buildings, both of which appear to be old mobile homes which sit on stilts. Hushpuppy goes to the local school and she spends her days chasing animals. But, a storm is brewing on the horizon -- one which will bring drastic changes to The Bathtub and to the relationship between Hushpuppy and Wink.

Beasts of the Southern Wild plays like two different movies, and based on the viewers particular viewpoint, they may not reconcile with each other. On the one hand, we've got an almost fairytale view of life, as we see The Bathtub through Hushpuppy's very innocent eyes. Despite the fact that she's been through a lot and lives with constant turmoil, she still sees the world as a magical place where there's an adventure around every corner and wild beasts roam the world. Although her mother isn't present, Hushpuppy talks to her as if she is. Also, she rarely seems to be scared or shocked by any of the things going on around her, such as her father's behavior or the devastating things which occur in the area. This goes back to the idea that perception is reality and children who grow up in a certain situation see that as the norm, no matter how abnormal it may be.

Which brings us the film's other viewpoint. The movie depicts the lives of those in The Bathtub and to say that Hushpuppy and Wink live in squalor would be an understatement. Their "houses" are ramshackle buildings which are filthy and look unsafe. The fact that they live apart is unsettling, as Hushpuppy is often left to take care of herself. They travel about in a "boat" which is made from the bed of a pickup truck. Hushpuppy attends a "school" where the teacher, Miss Bathsheba (Gina Montana) focuses more on folklore than on any usual subjects. We see that some in the area catch seafood, but, otherwise, it's difficult to discern how anyone makes a living. The adults do a lot of drinking and the parties go on for hours.

So, is this a movie about the natural wonder all around us or a grim view of people who live in abject poverty. Again, that answer is going to depend on the movie which the viewer wants to see. For me, it was the latter. It's difficult to watch a film where a child puts themselves in danger by attempting to cook their own dinner (and I won't mention what she was cooking) and not fill that that the movie is filled with joyous energy. I don't want to give too much away, but there are scenes in the second half of the film where the residents of The Bathtub are given an opportunity to leave and many resist. I can understand not wanting to give up one's home, but one would think that Wink would want a better life for Hushpuppy. Is that a naive or narrow-minded view? I don't think so. Does Beasts of the Southern Wild mirror reality? Certainly. There are people in America who live in conditions which border on being something which one would find in the third world. I don't think it's unusual or irrational at all to watch this film and think "Why would they choose to live like that?" (It may be weird that I asked my wife, "Is this taking place in Mad Max times?") The movie also shows how ill-prepared some are for being parents. We get the feeling that Wink cares for Hushpuppy on some level, but his tactics would qualify as neglect in most states. Being a child, she can't help but be devoted to him, but, again, most will watch the film and wonder how anyone could treat a child that way.

Obviously, Beasts of the Southern Wild is the kind of movie which will stir up debate. Director Benh Zeitlin has certainly done a great job in capturing a group of people who have a unique way of life and, as noted below, the crew must be applauded for the excellent production design featured the movie. Wallis and Henry shine in their roles and it's difficult to believe that they aren't trained actors. On the other hand, the raw nature of their performances helps to add to the quasi-documentary feel of the film. Still, while some may come away from Beasts of the Southern Wild feeling exhilarated, I think that many may be drained, having shared in Hushpuppy’s odd, yet trying life and wondering what may be next for the character.

Beasts of the Southern Wild offers the best green-screen piggies ever on Blu-ray Disc courtesy of 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment. The film has been letterboxed at 1.85:1 and the Disc contains an AVC 1080p HD transfer which runs at an average of 35 Mbps. The image is sharp and clear, but it does show mild grain throughout, which is most like a by-product of it having been shot on 16mm film. There are no notable defects from the source material. The colors look good (a real plus when using 16mm) and the image is never overly dark or bright. The depth is OK, but not as good as we’ve seen on other Blu-ray Discs and the level of detail is acceptable, but not great -- some shots are a bit soft. The Disc carries a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track which runs at 48 kHz and an average of 4.0 Mbps. The track provides clear dialogue and sound effects. The haunting musical score sounds fine here. The stereo effects are good and at times we are treated to sounds coming from off-screen. The storm sequence offers good surround sound and subwoofer effects, but the bass is never overwhelming.

The Beasts of the Southern Wild Blu-ray Disc contains an array of extras. The Disc contains nine DELETED SCENES which run about 14 minutes. These are accompanied by COMMENTARY by Benh Zeitlin. These scenes introduce some additional subplots and flesh out some of the characters and ideas seen in the movie. They wouldn't have added much to the story, but it would have explained where the three girls in the third act come from. Essentially, it's just more depressing stuff. "Auditions" (15 minutes) shows us Quvenzhane Wallis, Dwight Henry, and the two together trying out for their parts. "The Making of Beasts of the Southern Wild" (22 minutes) is nicely made featurette which has a documentary-like feel (a nice change from the loose "making ofs" we often get). The narration gives us much needed detail about the production. It's interesting to see that the sets were built. This contains a great deal of on-set footage and we get to see the creation of the key scenes, but there's no talk of or information on the play which served as an inspiration for the movie. "Glory at Sea" (26 minutes) is a short film from Director Benh Zeitlin which puts a fantastic spin on the events of Hurricane Katrina. "Music" (3 minutes) shows Composer Dan Romer and Zeitlin working together on the score. "The Aurochs" (3 minutes) shows how baby piggies can be the stars of a movie and gives more background on some of the movie's themes. The final extra is the THEATRICAL TRAILER for the movie.