Free Solo - Movie Review

Free Solo is a documentary that examines the insane sport of rock climbing without a rope. I'm not sure what drives someone to take unnecessary risks. It seems rock climbing with proper gear is dangerous enough. In this documentary, filmmaker Jimmy Chin delves into the world of free solo rock climber Alex Hannold. The documentary attempts to give us insight into the sport, through the eyes of one its best, most daring climbers. But I'm still not sure I fully get it.

Jimmy Chin achieved some acclaim for his previous film, Meru, which was also about the sport of climbing. Both films have earned some hardware and were released to wide acclaim. I didn't really see a lot of similarity between the two films, beyond the obvious. In Free Solo, Chin gives us some insight into rock climbing without a rope. Alex Hannold has achieved notoriety for both his free solo climbs as well as his speed climbing with appropriate gear. He has set several records and holds several records for both free solo climbs as well as speed records. At the time this film was made, he was (and remains) the only person to have free solo climbed Half Dome in the Yosemite Valley. He also holds the speed record for the 2,000 foot rock. This film examines his preparations for a more daunting challenge. El Capitan, a 3,000 foot ascent without a rope.

While preparing for this challenge, we have an opportunity to meet Hannold. He is an odd character. He isn't overly emotional. He has spent a decade living in his van. He has recently met a girl, which seems to be a potentially deadly distraction. She understands his need to climb, but she also seems to genuinely care for his safety. She is responsible for a fall that injures the climber, adding to the sense that her presence could be fatal. The relationship between the two feels uneven, but genuine. It seems Hannold has difficulty with relationships. It is almost mechanical for him. It helped me understand him a bit better. It is the same mechanical approach he takes to climbing. Every step is measured. Every move planned. Every route a series of angles, each with a step-by-step process for completion. We get an intimate glimpse into the precision of this sport as we walk through the process of traversing several extremely dangerous points along the face of El Capitan.

As we learn more about free soloing, we also learn about the incredibly high fatality rate among climbers who engage in this dangerous sport. It is so dangerous that Hannold lost his sponsorship from Clif Bar as a result. The film examined a few climbers who have lost their lives pursuing free solo climbs, to include a death that happened during preparations for the unprecedented ascent of El Capitan. The tension in this film becomes palpable. It is almost as if you don't want to watch, out of fear and respect. There is quite a bit of talk about the film crew and the danger they pose to the climb, which requires absolute precision. One minor distraction could cause Hannold's death. It is an undertaking they don't take lightly. They are generally concerned with Hannold's welfare and don't want to interfere. The camera angles and drone use are all carefully planned to avoid interfering. I'm not sure what I wanted to see. I was content with a failed attempt, it if meant that Hannold merely backed out at some point. That may be the ending we get, so be prepared for it. It may not be. Telling you would take away the tension. But I can guarantee this is a cliff hanger, at least until the credits roll.

Free Solo was rated PG-13 by the MPAA. As a documentary, there isn't much here to be concerned with. There are some language issues and extreme peril. This has been deemed the greatest rock climbing undertaking in history. It is nerve wracking. There is also plenty of death talk. It is a reality in this sport. It is unavoidable. It is also contextual. This is the type of film that I would not set an age restriction on. It is real life. The film was exciting to watch and young viewers will merely see it as "rock climbing." The film has a one hour, forty minute run time. It moved with a nice pace and didn't feel like a lot of filler was added to stretch it to feature length. It was well done.

Free Solo was a worthwhile afternoon out yesterday. Alex Hannold is an accomplished climber whose rapid rise in the sport of rock climbing reached a pinnacle with the brash attempt to climb El Capitan. The film adds a human element to the story, providing a bit of background on Alex's family life. The mechanics of his sport are a reflection of his personality, which adds an interesting dynamic to the story and almost helped me understand his obsession. I really don't understand it. That which can be done with ropes, should be done that way. I guess I don't grasp the idea of unnecessary risk. Although all rock climbing is unnecessary. And risky. But that's me. I think I had a glimpse into what drives Hannold to climb. With or without ropes. It is him being the best he can be. The pursuit of perfection. At any cost, it would seem. Free Solo examines an extreme sport and will have you gripping your seat at times. It is an exceptional documentary worth seeing at the theater. 8/10.

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