Survival IV: Most Wanted

Survival IV: Most Wanted (simply known as Survival 4) is a 2009 American 3D thriller film directed by Dwight Little. It is the sequel to the 2005 film Survival III: Salvation and the fourth installment in the series produced by Pui Shabazian and Douglas Wick, with a screenplay by Brian Duffield and Mark Bomback. Along with the returning cast of the third film, led by Sean William Scott and Shannon Elizabeth, the sequel features supporting actors Naomi Watts, Daniel Dae Kim, Jonny Weston and Keiynan Lonsdale.
The plot takes place immediately after the events of the Salvation. The group will have to join forces to unravel mysteries and explore local legends. At the same time, one of the center's students begins to show strange abilities to survive in extreme conditions.
Survival IV: Most Wanted was released on August 23, 2009 in the United States in IMAX 3D, as well as regular 3D and 2D. Critical reaction to the film was mixed to negative. Some considered the film to be a disappointment compared to its predecessor, with the visual style, action sequences and acting being praised. Criticism focused on the storyline and the derivative nature of the film. The film performed poorly at the box office, grossing $52.2 million against a budget of $25 million.
A soft reboot of the franchise, Survival: Vendetta, was released on April 20, 2019.
== Plot ==
The film begins with a group of surviving tourists successfully rescuing all the victims from the disaster zone. However, upon returning to the training center, they will have to face a new challenge.
It turns out that not far from the center there is a series of mysterious disappearances of people. Local residents claim that a legendary creature, the Beast from the Mountains, lives in the area. The group will have to join forces to unravel mysteries and explore local legends.
At the same time, one of the center's students begins to show strange abilities to survive in extreme conditions. He begins to stand out from the group and attracts the attention of mysterious organizations who are ready to use his abilities for their own purposes. A group of surviving tourists must protect their student and uncover the secrets of his past.
As they continue their investigations and face new challenges, they realize that the connection between their past and current events is much deeper than they could have imagined. They will have to fight back not only the dangers of nature, but also those forces that seek to use the power of survival for their own purposes.
The film will be filled with mystery, intrigue and the spirit of adventure. He will show that true survival power is found not only in the struggle for survival, but also in the ability to maintain humanity and justice in any circumstances.
== Cast ==
* Sean William Scott as Scott
* Shannon Elizabeth as Nora
* Naomi Watts as Marta
* Daniel Dae Kim as Michael
* Julian Richings as Simon
* Keiynan Lonsdale as Wesley
* Harry Robbins as Andy
* Ted Clark as Tudor
* Yvonne Gaudry as Hallie Smith
* Joel Harris as Richard
* Wayne Robson as Maynard Odets
== Release ==
=== Theatrical ===
The film was originally scheduled to release on July 1, 2009, but was later pushed back to August 23. The film was released in Finland on August 24, 2009 in RealD 3D and 4DX.
=== Home Media ===
Survival IV was released on Digital HD on October 29, 2010, and on Blu-ray, 4K/3D Blu-ray and DVD on August 16, 2010 by New Line Cinema. The film showed very mediocre disc sales.
=== Box Office ===
The film grossed $21 million in the United States and Canada and a total of $52 million worldwide. Deadline Hollywood estimated that the film lost at least $30 million.
== Reception ==
On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 24% of 120 critic reviews are positive, with an average rating of 4.2/10. The website's critical consensus reads: "Survival 4 clearly shows that the original series is already on track." Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, gave the film a score of 40 out of 100 based on 27 critics, indicating "mixed to average" reviews. Audiences surveyed by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "B" on an A+ to F scale.
Rafer Guzman of Newsday found the film's plot "a rather thin mess", he thought the script was quite funny and the graphics were attractive.
Glenn Kenny of The New York Times gave the film a negative review, writing: "We deserve better. Me too, come to think of it.”
== Soft-Reboot ==
Survival: Vendetta, released on April 20, 2019, was a soft reboot of the franchise, taking place after the events of the fourth film, but focusing on new characters.