This isn't the first time Philippe Petit's story has been bought to the screen. In 2008 James Marsh’s brilliant Oscar winning documentary Man on Wire was released. So most people are some what familiar with Petit's tightrope antics in 1974. But now Hollywood has sprinkled it's magic and we have the all singing, all dancing, live action version with a sexy leading man and of course it gets the 3D treatment.
Most the time 3D films haven't really brought anything new. They are generally a complete waste of time and are a way for the studios to squeeze more money out of the paying customer. I can probably count the ones I liked on one hand - in fact the best film I had seen in 3D was probably Jackass. That was until now. The Walk could be the game-changer not only that the studios were looking for, but for us as an audience as well. It's a film which nowadays is rare. Its truly been made for the cinema. My advice is to watch it on the biggest screen as possible and if you have the means, on IMAX 3D as well.
The director has taken the stories components and instead of stuff just flying out at you he uses the 3D to help tell the story. The whole third act when JGL is on top of the towers and about to do his walk will give some people vertigo. It feels like you up there with him and you could fall at any point. It's stunning. As there is actually no real life footage of the event, Zemeckis has done a great job of re-staging it.
What could have been a straight forward boring, run of the mill movie, is actually a fun heist movie or as Philippe calls it, an 'artistic coup'. Each member of the coup comes with different skill sets which makes it feel rather like one of the Ocean films or even the Italian Job.
The entire cast is excellent and have great chemistry. JGL opens his mouth and the French accent of Philippe Petit comes out. This will probably take you a little by surprise. It does take a few minutes to adapt and in some places it sounds a little comical and cliché. But with JGL's charm (a stereotypically French trait) he is as reliable as he normally is. This is his film from start to finish and thankfully he can carry it. Charlotte Le Bon is also great as Annie, Philippe's girlfriend and partner in crime. (No dodgy accent from her as she is French). Ben Kingsley is also good As Papa Rudi. I couldn't place his accent but when can you.
The Walk is a great fun film which should be seen in the cinema. The two hour runtime isn't a problem, the pacing is perfect. Cast are great and should be applauded. My only concern is that it may not have the magic on the small screen or in 2D but that's a worry for another time.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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