Please don't spend money on this.

Fantastic!

It is an exhilarating, distressing, funny and profound film, with one of the more memorable film scores in years,

If you like to be scared, if you like to laugh, and if you like to learn a thing or two at the movies, this absolutely cannot be missed.

Knowing that this movie is based on a true story, I was wondering how this can be translated into a movie. Can't do much if you only have to "a lone guy stuck in the canyon crack " as a story.

With Danny Boyle being such a unique film maker it's a given that he will take a lot of risks in his careers and "127 Hours" is definitely one of them. Having a film mostly set in the same location, with one character can be tricky but Boyle and James Franco pulled it off fantastically. Danny Boyle made this film as engaging as it is, the way he directed this movie ensured that you knew exactly how desperate this situation was, he used a lot of footage from the camcorder, a lot of fast edits to show Ralstons deteriorating mental health Anne he also didn't leave the location of the canyon that often, it made you feel as if you were in this location with this one character and helped you better buy into his situation. I've always really liked James Franco, both in his comedy roles and more serious dramatic works he's consistently surprised me with his range but nothing more than his work in this movie with his amazing performance. Not only does he make him instantly likable and engaging with his natural charm but when things start to get more desperate Franco nails the more emotionally intense scenes that help you sympathise with the character a lot more than any of the flashbacks. This film didn't pull any punches, the eventual scene where Ralston has to cut of his arm is breathtakingly realistic, the sound effects, Franco's performance and excellent prosthetics come together to make you believe that what is happening on screen is as close to what it must have been like in real life. It also doesn't hold back on the more emotionally devastating moments where Ralston confesses to his failings and short comings that help you to realise what someone will do or say when they are as close to death as this man was. My only real issue with this movie is the rather on the nose flashbacks, I'm not saying that I objected to learning more about Ralston as a person, I just think that seeing anyone in this horrific situation is enough to get the viewer to sympathise with him. A lot of them did add something to his character but a lot didn't really do anything for me. While I'm not going to rush back to watch this film, as a viewing experience this is a film that any major film fan should watch at some point. Thanks to Franco's amazing work, Boyles masterful direction and excellent use of the premises gritty tone this is something that I believe will stay with anyone who watches it. 8.6/10: A- (Fantastic)

It's important for us as humans to step outside our comfort zone. Do something we wouldn't normally do, if we don't, we're only living life half way.I'm the first to admit that I do not practice this as often as I should, it's lead to being slightly overweight, heavily opinionated, and some may tell you, it's the reason I'm still single. Unfortunately stepping outside my comfort zone is not limited to my life, it's also in my movie watching habits.The movie I am reviewing and the review itself is outside the norm completely. Number one; I do not generally watch films like 127 Hours. Forgive me, but biopics generally do not interest me, not sure why, but I do prefer watching the fanciful, and the stuff you don't see ever in the real world. Number two; I do not own this film, the opportunity to watch the film came up due to being broadcast on satellite television, and I thought, "Well why the hell not?" So this review is outside the norm as it were.Enough about me, and onto the film.127 Hours tells the true story of one Aron Ralston (Franco). Adventurer, rock-climber, and canyoner, Aron is someone who definitely does not live in any comfort zone. Unfortunately one such adventure trip through Utah's Blue John canyon, Aron falls and becomes trapped with a boulder pinning his arm to the canyon wall.Despite desperate attempts at the start to free himself, Aron is most literally caught between a rock and a hard place, the term that is used for the title of Aron's book, upon which this film is based. Aron uses his guile, and survival techniques to stay alive and figure out a way to free himself.Between making video logs to his parents, winning minor victories in his attempts at freeing himself, and using Bear Grylls type methods to keep himself warm. Aron ponders his life, and the people he holds dear. This is the heart of the film, as we all have or will face moments where we have to pause, and really take the time to appreciate the life we are given, and the people who fill it. They say don't sweat the small stuff, but this film also shows that in desperate and difficult times we think about the small moments in our life.Danny Boyle is no doubt a clever film maker. In another film maker's hands this film may not have been quite as good, and probably a by the numbers kind of film. I believe Boyle is another one of those who like to live life outside his comfort level, which brings a realness to this film. Life like moments that left me thinking about how I probably would have done similar things to what Aron did.James Franco as Aron delivers a personal, internal, and remarkable performance.I am glad to say now that I have seen 127 Hours, I probably won't get outside my zone anymore than I did before, but when I do, I'll think about Aron Ralston, what he had to endure in the five days he was trapped, what he had to do to get out alive, and also not let the loss of his arm prevent him from still getting out there and living a full life.

Since this movie is based on true events, which went through the media during the time, the plot of it should already be common knowledge even before watching it. A story of human will to survive and severe sacrifices, 127 hours has a lot of potential to tell an extraordinary story.In many points, it achieves this potential in keeping you cautious and giving you an impression how grave it must be to be caught in the middle of such a hopeless scenario. Unfortunately I feel like it gives up on some further potential because the overall tone could be a bit darker. By presenting large shots of the outer valley or detailed descriptions of the main characters dreams, the producers pull you out of this otherwise desperate situation. But exactly this situation is what makes this movie so strong. I would have wished for an attempt to keep you caught there, maybe not referring to his inner state of mind as much as his bare physical presence to really give you an impression of how all hope slowly gets lost in this spot.That would have made the movie terrible in matters of physical pressure, but isn't that what it is in the end: A terrible situation? Nonetheless this is a film worth a watch and it does make you overthink your priorities to a certain amount. But I would have wished for a more adult attempt at the topic.