For the average person on the street, the names Alex Honnold, and Jimmy Chin hardly ring a bell. However, for those who have a keen interest in the outdoors, climbing, and Mountaineering, these guys are household names. While this may not spark your interest because climbing and mountaineering just isn't your thing. This assumption does not accurately represent the film.
Free Solo is a documentary centered around the climb of 3,600 foot El-Capitan (El-Cap), in Yosemite National Park with no ropes. You heard right, no ropes. Renowned as arguably the toughest and most feared climbing walls in the world, only the best climbers in the world take on the challenge to climb the wall. However, free soloing (climbing with no ropes) the wall was considered insane and undoubtedly impossible. Until Alex Hannold came along accomplishing arguably the greatest athletic achievement of all-time.
Free Solo is not just a documentary on climbing, rather, a fantastic film about love, passion, and the pursuit of greatness. This film will inspire you to push the limits and pursue great accomplishments that may seem unattainable. What really makes this film so unique and entertaining to all audiences, are the people involved and their unique skills. Alex's climbing and unique personality, along with Jimmy Chin's groundbreaking cinematography really sets the film apart.
The Greatest Athletic Achievement of All-Time
For those who don't know much about climbing, Alex's climb of El-Cap is incredible and inspiring. However, for those who do know climbing, his free solo climb is absolutely unfathomable. To put this into perspective, this achievement is like a professional golfer trying to hit a hole in one on every hole at the toughest golf course in America. Or LeBron James scoring 100 points making every shot along the way and not letting the guy he's guarding score a single point. Except for Alex, the stakes are much higher. The golfer can make a mistake and still win the tournament, Lebron James can let up a point and still win the game. If Alex makes one mistake he risks falling to his death.
Excellent Reviews
I personally think Free Solo is the best movie, that's right movie, not documentary, I've ever seen. Don't take it from me though, check out some of the reviews it got from popular review sites below:
Rottentomatoes: Free Solo - 98% (Tomatometer)
- Avengers Infinity War - 84%
- Incredibles 2 - 94%
- Jurassic Park - 91%
- Titanic - 89%
IMBD: Free Solo - 8.7/10
- Avengers Infinity War - 8.6/10
- Incredibles 2 - 8.0/10
- Jurassic Park - 8.1/10
- Titanic - 7.8/10
Metacritic: Free Solo - 83
- Avengers Infinity War - 68
- Incredibles 2 - 80
- Jurassic Park - 68
- Titanic - 75
Go See It
I can't say enough about the movie. It's incredible, inspiring, groundbreaking, and just flat-out amazing. This movie kept me entertained with my jaw to the floor in absolute awe the entire way. Alex Hannold is one of the most inspiring people alive today and should be mentioned among the greatest athletes to ever live. Along with names like Michael Jordan, Serena Williams, Michael Phelps, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, and Muhamed Ali. If it was up to me, he'd be at the top of that list.
To find Free Solo in a theater near you check the link below: