"Free Solo" (2018)

See it to believe it!

Alex Honnold’s scaling of El Capitan, a 3000 foot cliff in Yosemite National Park, without a rope/safety gear, is arguably the athletic achievement of the century (according to a friend of mine). Honnold’s journey is brought to the big screen through an adventure film, full of love stories, history, interviews, and breathtaking filmography.

It is meticulously filmed by Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin, who made “Meru” (2015). Honnold, Vasarhelyi and Chin might be criticized for glorifying this dangerous feat, and possibly inspiring more people to attempt it, but it cannot be forgotten Honnold achieved his dream (after countless hours of practice, training and climbing). Throughout the film, I cannot recall Honnold and others daring the audience to attempt the climb or take up the sport they love; it is a story about a human being who achieved a spectacular goal. It most certainly is not my dream to do what Honnold did; however, I still can sit in awe of this amazing athletic achievement.

After seeing this spectacle, and thinking about it more, the feats of other athletes in other individualized sports seem miniscule, small and mundane. Moreover, after watching other documentaries about climbing, I understand free soloing holds an extremely high mortality rate; almost all the famous free solo climbers perished during their quests. This is why Alex Honnold’s achievement is more phenomenal and unfathomable. Even after a week from leaving the IMAX theater, my hands are still shaking from witnessing it on the big screen.

(Note: it’s also nominated for Best Documentary in 2019 by the Academy Awards).

Link to the 10 Most Legendary Free Solo Climbs

https://www.redbull.com/us-en/10-most-legendary-free-solo-climbs