The Walk – Phenomenal and a Bit Terrifying
This film is based on the true story of high-wire artist Philippe Petit who recruits a team of people to help him realize his dream: to walk the immense void between the World Trade Center towers. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Lainey A. comments, “This live action feature film directed by Robert Zemeckis is phenomenal! There is nothing about it that I don’t like.” See her full review below.
The Walk
By: Lainey A., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 13
This live action feature film directed by Robert Zemeckis is phenomenal! There is nothing about it that I don’t like.
The Walk is set in 1974 and is about a high-wire artist named Philippe Petit (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) who lives in Paris. He sees a photo in a magazine for the construction of the Twin Towers in NYC and gets the inspiration to walk a tight rope connecting the two buildings. This is highly illegal and very dangerous. He meets a girl named Annie Allix (Charlotte Le Bon) who falls in love with him and supports him in following his dream. He finds a mentor and father figure in Pappa Rudy (Ben Kingsley) and 5 other accomplices who support him in this life or death adventure. The Walk is based on a true story.
The Walk is a drama/thriller with a spice of romance and comedy. Also it is a true story and that makes it even cooler and much more intense! This is also an educational movie because I didn’t know much about high-wire artists until I watched this movie. I learned that there is a lot of science and math involved in how the wire is secured to provide safety for the walker.
My favorite character is Philippe Petit (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) because, he is just flat-out amazing and super believable! My favorite scene is when Philippe is facing his biggest dream of tightrope walking between the twin towers. They were 140 feet apart and 110 stories high! This scene is so realistic and exhilarating that my palms were sweaty and I noticed audience members squirming in their seats. Philippe said that high-wire artists are never supposed to look down when tightrope walking. Does he heed his own advice? You’ll have to watch the film to find out.
The Walk has jaw-dropping special effects. The opening scenes in Paris are completely in black and white except for an occasional pop of color which sets a nostalgic mood. The Twin Towers were already gone when this movie was filmed, so it’s interesting that they were able to make this look so realistic. This part is truly fantastic! Watching it in 3D makes it so lifelike and adds to the intensity of the viewing experience.
I recommend The Walk for ages 11 to 18 due to the suspense and some mild language. Hands down, I give this movie a 5 out of 5 stars because it is so amazing! The special effects can’t be beat and the acting is super strong! I loved this movie and it is definitely on my favorites list! You can see this movie On Imax on September 30th and everywhere else on October 9.
