Movie Review: 127 Hours

It's pretty sad when the most adventure you've had in about three weeks is going to the movies, but alas, that is early winter in northern Minnesota. While Noelle and I did finally get out to go skiing yesterday, the conditions just haven't been too favorable for outdoor adventures lately. There was too much snow for hiking comfortably, yet too little to ski. Anyway, we did make it out Friday night to the very nice Zinema 2 to see the Danny Boyle flick 127 Hours.

In case you aren't familiar with the movie it is about Aron Ralston; the hiker, canyoneer, climber, adventurer who during a solo exploration expedition into Utah's Blue John Canyon gets his arm pinned between a heavy boulder and the canyon wall. The movie is based upon Ralston's book Between a Rock and a Hard Place. Having read the book I must confess the movie is exactly what I expected it to be. The director took a few liberties with the story to spice things up a bit like I had expected. For example, in the book Ralston describes his bicycle ride from the parking lot to the head of the canyon as a slow slog into a strong headwind on a sandy desert road, while director Boyle turns the ride into a fast paced, wheelie-popping affair on the Slickrock Trail.

All in all though it was a good movie. There is a scene in the movie that is a bit graphic though, so if you expect to go see it be prepared. Noelle felt a bit queasy watching it. I would give it 3.5 out of 5 stars.