The Journey Is the Destination (2016) User Reviews

Visually pleasing

[fmwongmd · 6/10 · 2 September 2020]

An interesting depiction of a talented photographer who risked all for the thrill of the hunt. Interestingly told and more than graphic.

Use This as a Metaphor: You can run faster without a flak vest

[leftbanker-1 · 5/10 · 19 April 2017]

Kind of boring docu-drama about a kid who was probably OK and decent but hopelessly idealistic to the point that it got him stoned to death in an ignorant toilet of a country that doesn't much care if you think that we are all people. I only hope that in real life he stopped and killed at least one of the medieval idiots who crucified him. Somalia is a failed state where you just shouldn't pass through unless you have a death wish. This kid should have known this and no amount of good-will on his part was about to overcome the level of hate and intolerance in these countries.

Fails to capture the essence but still a good watch

[samabc-31952 · 6/10 · 15 October 2019]

"Mission Statement for Safari as a Way of Life:".. at 10 his photographs were featured in magazines and newspapers, received awards for community service while still a student. Visited 46 countries, learnt 7 languages ... an aspiring, inspiring young journalist who played a crucial role in having US and UN PKF to enter into Somalia primarily with a goal to address poverty and hunger issues.. well, that is what he thought... His famous quote was *"The journey is a destination*" He was loved by Somalis.. He and his team were covering the UN pkf raid to arrest their rebel leader Mohamed Farrah Aidid as Some Somalis wanted them to... but the mob attacked them and he was stoned and beaten to death. He was only 22. Even though movie fails to capture the essence and depth of his life and the facts, still a good watch.

An Amateurish Attempt Runs Scared of Politics

[mr-shanelevene · 4/10 · 22 October 2017]

The life of Dan Eldon is a story and adventure and tragedy which has all the ingredients for a great film adaption. Sadly the director here was not the man to carry it off, running scared of global and sensitive politics and badly misjudging the aura that the art direction would cast over the film. It plays more like a Sunday morning teen safari report for some children's channel. The first hour or more is done so poorly that you could actually skip it without losing anything of the film. It is littered with cringe-worthy moments with actors who look no older than 14. The seriousness of a life of photojournalism and art in some of Africa's most poverty stricken and war-torn countries is completely overlooked in exchange for teenage safaris and soppy scenes of light kissing and rolling about. The film does improve a little when we finally get to Somalia, but is still a major disappointment and still cops out and purposely evades the sensitive issues of international politics, religion and culture which all combined to result in the death of 4 respected journalists. I just hope that if ever I get hacked to death that this director doesn't direct it. Give it a miss... You'll be missing nothing.

Do not understand the hate for this film

[tangoed-48992 · 8/10 · 23 April 2017]

The Journey is the destination is well worth a watch, the story of the film is genuinely moving highlighted by the fact that the characters are real people and is inspired true events. It admittedly is a slow starter where i disliked the main character a lot being as other reviews have put it a somewhat stuck up "privileged white boy". However this sets the course for the rest of the film as Dan Eldon grows as a character, developing from the things he has seen and experienced in his life that we witness alongside him.

I see people complaining the film took them to dark places which it arguably does but i do not see this as a bad thing. While the film is undeniably emotional i felt it excellently portrayed the complexity of being a reporter while also having to deal with your own feelings on what your reporting. The directors did this in a hard hitting way which was much better suited tot he story than the usual Hollywood style of either over the top action or sunshine and daisies everyone seemed to want from this film. While this movie may not be for everyone i feel its definitely worth a try, and taught me something new about a person i have never heard of before but now have tremendous respect.

Story of Elitist Brit with no common sense.

[cpgburiram · 1/10 · 11 November 2020]

As far as the main character goes, wealthy spoiled British kids who think they are rock stars, are nothing new. As far as movie goes, typical anti-USA propaganda designed by Brits who neglect to recall centuries of raping and killing their way across the world. Most problems in Africa stem from British colonialism. Of course it is trendy now to blame the USA for the worlds problems. As someone who knew soliders who died in Somalia, trying to restore peace, this movie is an insult and tribute to rich tourists who fancy themselves heros.

Wonderful way to immerse yourself in Dan's Life!

[eulalascheel · 10/10 · 30 January 2018]

A powerful homage to the life of Dan Eldon, his dedication to the work he was doing and the relentlessness of his spirit. I think this film did a very good job of balancing the brutality of the conflict with the beauty of life in Africa, and the hope that can be found even in the darkest of times. Other reviews have mentioned privilege and 'lack of perspective', though truly his mission was to provide perspective about the conflict to those in real positions of power in the west. To enlighten them and correct the blindness that was the norm at the time. All this to say, even if you aren't in love with the film, you will fall in love with Dan and in turn, his love of life.

I would urge you all to do more research about him and get involved with his continued legacy!

An Amazing Story Told Poorly

[Control_RC · 3/10 · 11 November 2018]

Found out about Dan when his book was originally released. A man with so much talent and even more potential. And a life story that deserved to be told with the creative vision that matched his. I read years ago about the family wanting to make a movie about Dan's travels, and I couldn't wait to see it and to learn more about him, his work, his dreams, what made him tick, and more detail into the scenes shown in his journals. This film does none of this as it's nearly unwatchable. Poorly written and directed. It's a shame as Dan's story is so rich and is an amazing example of a life filled with curiosity, love and talent. His story deserved to be told better.

Tepid and uninspired

[cranstonisagod-22225 · 3/10 · 15 March 2018]

The first half was like watching an afternoon school special of spoiled expats living the vida loca in Africa, taking road trips, eating rats, and making fun of the indigineous people. The second half could have used a steady cam. I'm sure he was a great guy, but what about the other three that died with him?

An Experience of Africa seen through the Eyes of the Artist

[awvknj · 8/10 · 3 November 2021]

This film used innovative and sometimes jarring film sequences- shots and angles- composites of photographs interwoven from Dan's journal with scenes and snippets of his life "on Safari" as seen through the eyes of the subject Dan Alden -a life cut short but lived to the fullest. Definitely an inspirational watch as we follow his progress from high school graduate full of ideals to a young man realizing his dream of being a photojournalist and willing to risk his life for his belief that sharing truth will make the world a better place.

Inaccurate Clan System

[sharmarkemibrahim · 1/10 · 24 August 2021]

The movie got wrong on the clan system, meaning the cast system where a large segment of the population is discarded does not exist.

No background information was invested in this movie.

If only the world was full of Dan Eldon's...

[juliannarote · 10/10 · 30 January 2018]

In the film, Dan Eldon references that there are alternative ways to get an education. Let's start that initiative by playing this film in all high school history classes across the world. Not only is there a history lesson here about the civil war that was happening in Somalia in 1993, there are lessons on passion, foreign policy, and the power of media to name a few. Watching this film in 2018 I couldn't help but see striking parallels in our society today. In the film, the UN forces are fighting enemies of hunger, disease, corruption and apartheid. In the United States alone we continue to fight racial injustice, the leading cause of death is heart disease, and although hunger isn't our problem, obesity is. The greatest lesson of all in the film is Dan's belief that people are not born hating other people. Rather, that trait is stemmed from the conditions of their environment and it is forced on them when their ignorance runs out. Also that the media has the power to change the way you think and impact political action. While this is an amazing power, it also is a good reminder, especially for youth, that the media has biases and it is important to know how to sort through quality news sources. All in all, an inspiring and eye-opening story that needs to be shared.

An Honest Review

[generationofswine · 1/10 · 20 June 2019]

This is one of those movies like "Into the Wild" where people are going to view it and get inspiration from stupidity.

"Into the Wild" was about an idealistic young man who underestimated nature and ultimately met his fate because his ideals didn't exactly mesh well with reality.

"The Journey is the Destination" is pretty much the same, only rather than underestimating nature, he underestimated people and, in specifically, the people that he was working to help.

In one case it was man's disrespect for nature. In this case it was man's disrespect for the dangers presented by his fellow man. He might have been there as a photographer, he might have been championing Africa's cause...but in the end what killed him was the assumption that because he was on their side they would be on his.

In the end it led to his death. He failed to realize that, despite trying to help the people, their hate ran deep enough to kill. Helping them only made him a target.

But, nontheless, it's going to serve to inspire people that mistakenly believe that you have to teach men not to...kill, rape, insert idealistic woke diatribe...rather than take the necessary precautions to protect yourself.

So, what we have is a tragic story that people are going to draw the wrong inspiration from.