Streep navigates a 'Wild River'

Hold on to your oars beca use "The River Wild" is going to take you on a heart-pounding suspense-filled ride.

"The River Wild" stars multiple Academy Award winner Meryl Streep ("Sophie's Choice," "Kramer vs. Kramer") as Gail and Kevin Bacon as Wade.

Gail is a former riv er guide who takes her family on a white- water river rafting trip down the River Wild. Their vacation takes a turn for the worse when they meet up with the clever and conniving Wade and his friend Terry, played by John C. Reilly.

Before meeting up with Gail, these two robbed a cattle auction and tried to elude authorities by going to Canada via the river. Wade and Terry hold Gail and her family at gun point during their trip, because they need Gail's white-water expertise to get them past the m ost dangerous part of the river - called "The Gauntlet."

As they make their way down the river, they all encounter physical and emotional obstacles, leaving the viewer breathless with anticipation over what will happen next.

Through the ordeal of taking the kidnappers through the River Wild, Gail finds the strength to keep her family alive.

Streep takes control of the movie with her excellent acting and physical ability. She is in a male-dominated situation, but the men depend on her sk ills to make it out alive. This is what makes this movie different and even more enjoyable.

Kevin Bacon gives his best performance yet by turning Wade into a character you love to hate. David Strathern plays the pivotal supporting role of Gail's h usband Tom, who sees their weary trip down the River Wild as a chance to salvage his marriage and reunite his family.

Director Curtis Hanson gives new dimensions to a formula script. The excellent cinematography makes you feel like you're right there by using the most effective and visually appealing footage of river rafting I've ever seen on film.

By the end of "The River Wild," the characters have developed into stronger versions of themselves. Does everyone survive the treacherous rapid s? Go see the movie and find out.