127 Hours Movie Review

James Franco as Aron Ralston - 20th Century Fox Publicity

Just like Buried last year, 127 Hours sees a film face a major problem. How do you make a film interesting when for most of the time it consists of one actor, trapped and unable to move? Well the producers of 127 Hours certainly had the right idea, get one of the most creative filmmakers of the generation, Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire, Sunshine) on board. Boyle lets his imagination run wild with this film and it makes for one of the most captivating films you are ever likely to see.

Between A Rock And A Hard Place - The Story Of 127 Hours

127 Hours tells the true story of Aron Ralston (James Franco – The Green Hornet, Eat Pray Love) a young rock climber who sets off for a weekend of adventure that turns tragically wrong. Aron tells no-one where he is heading and after some fun with Kristi (Kate Mara – Peep World, Iron Man 2) and Megan (Amber Tamblyn – Main Street, TV’S House) heads down into a canyon to let the climbing begin. But a freak accident sees Aron fall deeper into the canyon and become trapped with his arm under a large rock. Determined to survive, Aron decides he will do whatever it takes to keep himself alive… even if that means making a great sacrifice.

Danny Boyle - Forever Experimental

This is one film that could have become a static dull piece of boredom, and keeping that in mind it is obvious that Danny Boyle decided to turn the film into exactly the opposite. From the early credits right up to Aron’s accident the film plays out like an Extreme Games video, and it works well. This style matches Aron’s lifestyle and charisma, and the audience is taken on a genuine adrenaline ride. Then when Aron becomes trapped Boyle doesn’t let the “rock prison” slow down the film. Using his imagination he manages to take the audience inside Aron’s head, and as a result the film becomes an on-the-edge-of-your-seat thriller. Be warned though some of the dream sequences can leave some audience members confused, while some scenes are an uncomfortable watch for audience members that are a little bit squeamish.

127 Hours also allows actor, James Franco to show the world what a great actor he really is. He really captures the part of Aron remarkably well, and despite a shoot that would have obviously been a nightmare for an actor, he never once falls out of his character. It takes an extremely gifted actor to pull of a film like this and James Franco should feel extremely hard done by seeing his name has been linked to many awards for this film.A Big Step Up For James Franco

Summing Up 127 Hours

Boyle has once again created a masterpiece. Every frame of this film looks visually spectacular and while on paper this film shouldn’t have worked, it turns out to be a film that will be long remembered by anyone that sees it. This is alternative filmmaking at it’s very best… you’ll want to see this film two or three times, it’s just that bloody good!

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