Customer Ratings & Reviews

Captain Fantastic, more than anything, has novelty on its side. While some of the driving-force drama of family squabbles and disagreements about life aren't exactly groundbreaking, the characters and approach most certainly are, or are at least fairly close. The film is made of interesting juxtapositions, fascinating characters, and engaging insights into various stations in and perspectives on life. Performances are very detailed and nuanced from all -- including the children, who certainly have the hardest parts in the film -- and the film blends excellent pacing even at two hours with knowing direction and beautiful photography. Universal's Blu-ray features good video and audio. Extras are limited to a single featurette, but the movie does a good enough job of standing tall on its own without support from added content. Highly recommended.

A father raises his half dozen children in the wild to survive in the wild by teaching them hunting, fishing, clothing oneself and making shelter. He also teaches them foreign languages, literature, and science -- more than they would ever learn in schools appropriate for their ages. These intellectually bright and physically strong kids then, with their father, have to venture into the civilized world of fast food (it's not really food, they decide) and with everybody looking pretty sick since everybody is overweight by a lot. The reason for venturing into the civilized world gets revealed in the course of the movie. The movie is strongly critical of contemporary lifestyles and values.

This movie is a battle between two modern day child rearing choices. The first is allowing your children to be coddled, given participation medals, and go into a vegetative state with electronic media. The second is to isolate your child, home school them, and limit their social interactions with peers to the point that they become awkward. Are technology and the modern day conveniences we take for granted making us less intelligent, unhealthier and causing our social society to regress? You decide.

I watched all the reviews and listened to friends who said it was great. After all that I was still caught off guard by the movie. It's a very unique story. Extremely well told. Disturbing at times. - (like most families the dynamics are weird - but this family is to the extreme end - both immediate and extended) Fascinating movie and interesting discussion points. I loved it.

My husband and I saw this movie at the theater and we were mesmerized. It is beautifully scripted, acted and recorded. We couldn't stop thinking and talking about the movie for days after we saw it. It is the first movie that I have bought new in ages. I could watch it over and over and I very rarely ever watch a movie more than once.

The film is made of compelling juxtapositions, interesting characters, and compelling insights into various stages and perspectives on life. The acting is strong and nuanced from all including the children. The cinematography is stunning and the blu-ray picture and sound is great. Highly recommended.

The storyline is refreshingly original and Viggo Mortenson gives a perfect performance. His character raises his family away from civilization, but when they need to visit grandparents in the city, his determined values come into question. All the cast does a great job, but Viggo makes this movie.

Captain Fantastic is an odd movie about a man who raises his children in the wildness of the Pacific Northwest. The children are prepared for almost anything outdoors but perhaps aren't prepared for human society. Well done movie with Viggo Mortensen doing a great job as the head of the family.

Matt Ross's surprise gem is a thoughtful and thought-provoking work of art. I cannot remember seeing another film with as effectively unconventional parenting as this one. I fell in love with the entire family, from the six young performers, to the ever-reliable Viggo Mortensen.

Rented this movie when it came out on DVD at local rental store. Did recall having good reviews from the critics and would have to say with good reason. Not very often you get an original feel to a story like this one, definitely worth watching.

I didn't see Captain Fantastic initially when it was released, but when I finally did, I wanted to kick myself for waiting so long. This is a great heartwarming film that should please everybody. Highly recommended!

I AM A HUGE FAN OF VIGGO MORTENSEN SO I REALLY ENJOYED THIS MOVIE. VIGGO MORTENSEN'S BRILLIANT ACTING IN THIS FILM WAS NOMINATED FOR MANY AWARDS INCLUDING AN ACADEMY AWARD NOMINATION. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!

I really enjoyed this move. It made me think about the important things in life. It also raises great questions about how someone should be raising his kids. Put a lot of things in perspective for me

Heart-warming drama starring Viggo as a father of a family that's spent the last several years living in the wilderness and surviving off the land. After their mother becomes ill the family is forced to confront the real world, but will it tear them apart...

While everyone is going gaga for the other 2016 films, this was an underrated gem worth checking out. I would say it belongs in the best picture category over other films but that is a personal choice.

I had rented the movie and loved it. It wasn't a popular movie so I asked for help at the Moline Il store. the clerk looked it up, only two copies at the store. He found it for me with a smile!

Wow this was better than expected. I found myself rooting for this family all the way, no matter what happened, you want them to succeed, and then the ending gives you new hope...! Great movie...

Great movie it arrived earlier then expected which was great. Just wondering why it had to come from far and it was not in store.

This movie is both original and insightful. I realy enjoyed Viggo M. As well as the full cast of characters. Definetly worth owning as you will put it on your frequent watch shelf.

Absolutely love the cast and the beautiful setting makes for an appealing visual experience. You laugh, you cry, and you climb back onboard the bus with Captain Fantastic.