Free Solo [DVD]

Gripping and definitely not a boring climbing film. Great build up with one or two twists

It’s a documentary really but don’t let that put you off, this is mind blowing.I don’t climb. Did it a few times at an indoor climbing wall and at least got a teeny bit of appreciation how much strength is required but what this guy does is literally from another planet and if you think about it you really get scared for his prospects of survival. But the thing is. The whole movie is obviously moving towards this big climb finale but before that he seems to casually do a whole bunch of solo climbing that seems quite ludicrous enough thanks very much. So when you come to the final thing you’re thinking ok so this can’t be that much scarier, but you’re wrong. It’s almost like he’s casually mocking our entire existence with every needle eye-threading minuscule finger pinch hold of the rock thousands of feet above death. That fact that some of the greatest mountain climbers that have ever lived are scared witless thinking about and then witnessing what he’s doing drives it come.Despite what others have said I didn’t find his girlfriends presence in the movie intolerable. With that said I have to say she comes across as rather manipulative and a potential huge distraction to Alex to the point you think she’s going to cause him to fall to his death. But maybe for the move that’s okay.Anyway. This guy is incredible. What he does is incredible(insane). And this movie as a high resolution chronicle of what this guy does for fun is something no one should miss..

Most climbing videos are pretty boring.Apart from 'Free Climb' (1976), the Robert Redford narrated ascent of Half Dome, they're mostly some skinny dude dyno-ing from finger pocket to finger pocket along with some dreadful music.Then came a film called "Hard Grit" (1998), a documentary about the history of British rock climbing AND lots of hard scary climbing with music that was good.Since then things have wavered a bit.Some great, 'Committed' (mostly Brits) & 'The Sharp End' (mostly Yanks, inc. Alex H.) being noteworthy examples, but plenty of old school dreadfulness as well.Then there's this.A brilliantly made documentary, stunning cinematography, great music and... a free workout for your sphincter muscles.Congrats Alex, you're starring in the world's greatest anal pilates video.My ONLY criticism is... there's so little climbing :(Although it is amusing to watch his mates having kittens down on the ground, and maybe i should care about how his outrageously cute girlfriend feels about things, but i don't.This climb took nearly 4 hrs, the footage included is stunning with an added bonus for lip readers (nice overdub Alex :) but where's the other 3 hrs ?This is possibly the greatest athletic achievement in the history of the human race.Please release the extended director's & climbing geeks cut ASAP.I'll buy that too."But is this version worth buying" you ask?F***, i mean... Oh Yeah!

The challenge covered in this full length film on climbing the iconic El Capitan face in the US without support or ropes and the steps taken to prepare. It is full of drama and tension and very well filmed and produced. If you are interested in adventure sports of any kind and in climbing in particular it will be of interest. Real 'deering-do' stuff. There was good coverage of some of the crux moves on the long climb and how they were achieved, but I should have preferred more of this and a little less on the relationship of the climber, Alex Honnold with his girlfriend in the lead up to this epic climb. That was a small price to pay however, for a great and gripping story.

Every aspect of this enthralling documentary is worth five stars. The climb itself is superbly shot and the climbing death defying and gravity defying in equal measure. But the film is so much more than the climb itself, the 'background story' is perfectly judged, adding a human factor to the climbing action without distracting from it. They are all slightly mad of course, but so engagingly so.The first film I've seen in a long time I would recommend to anyone and without hesitation.

If u love this kind of film it's a 10/10!Love these documentary films...crazy,but brave.

Free Solo is an incredibly gripping film. The intensity and sheer audacity of Alex Honnold's free solo climb are nothing short of breathtaking. It's a thrilling and heart-pounding cinematic experience that will leave you holding your breath sat on the edge of your seat.

This film embraces the story of one of mankind’s most extraordinary physical and mental athletic endeavours.Honnold’s complex physiology ( he has an unusually quiescent amygdala) , slightly Aspergic personality and extraordinary dexterity combine to produce a phenomenal climber.The relationship with his charming partner gives the film a touching quality.The fear the director and camera crew have that they may record his demise produces an almost unbearable tension in the viewer. Difficult but superb cinema.