Fall

Man, I had no clue what I was in for. The idea is simple (two climbers get stuck atop a 2000-foot tower in the middle of the desert) but the viewer experience is complex. It feels so real. It's meant to feel real. "Fall" is an unapologetically distressing tour de force. Buckle up.

My subject line is a bit cheeky, tho. Yes I'm warning you to be careful- particularly if you're acrophobic because, again, this one pulls no punches. It is intense. But it's also a line the climbers say more often than any other. They keep stating the obvious: "Be careful, Hunter!" "Omg Becky, be careful!" And each time restarts your panic cycle anew: "Oh no, what are they in for now?!" Worse, it's hard to prepare for what's coming. Even when you think you're ready, there's no telling how your body will react to what it sees and fears; logic can't always override instinct. In that sense it's not a movie that provides soft landings (pardon the pun). It is full on *trying to spark a physical response.

Not just when the climbers are on the tower either. It employs other tactics as well. Like repeatedly using an establishing shot with a sign that says "No Trespassing. Danger of Death." So even if you start to (somehow) settle in comfortably, the words push you back out to the edge of your seat. The name of the film works the same way: Fall. Would "Climbing the Ladder," "High," "Alone Together" ("Friends in High Places" lol) or something more hopeful/less dramatic not have been enough? Nope. FALL. The filmmakers make no secret of where they want your mind to be.

In the end, subconscious tools work in tandem with vertigo-inducing visuals to create a fully destabilizing experience: Be careful... Danger of death... Fall. You hear it, see it and feel it. I get sweaty palms just typing it out now, and if I watch again I'll need a new strategy because the thrills are not something you get used to. One of the more electrifying movies I've ever seen.

If you come into this expecting something really stupid and campy, it actually better than you think. I was surprised at how good the acting is and how genuinely terrifying it was to watch. It had a good pace and makes your heart pound with fear so it basically does its job as a suspenseful thriller. There are interesting twists, even if they are somewhat predictable. It does a lot with what was a small budget and lesser known actors. Yes, it's dumb they climb the tower, yes, you can get hung up on that, but bottom line, it's entertaining.

If you expect a phenomenal Oscar worthy movie, go somewhere else, but if you're looking for movie that genuinely makes you face your fear of heights, this is the movie for you.

I really had no expectations when I decided to watch this movie but aside from some of the usual predictable moments and boneheaded decisions by the two main characters, I actually enjoyed it. For me that was due to a few observations: 1) there were a few small twists in the plot which was a pleasant surprise especially in this type of movie genre and 2) the camera work/cgi effects which looked quite realistic and really gave you a sense of the height with a little vertigo feeling to boot. If you like this type of movie and don't suffer from major vertigo, this one is definitely worth a watch!

Swap down for up, water for air, scuba gear for climbing gear, sharks for a pair of vultures and voila you have another harrowing story of survival. Hardly original but to be honest it's decently executed. The acting is solid and you genuinely feel like this film was shot 2000 feet above ground. Make no mistake it is uncomfortable. The camera work fully engaged the butterflies in my stomach and properly connected me with actors sense of fear and excitement. Not necessarily the edge of my seat stuff but I was along for the ride. While I haven't given this film a particularly high rating it definitely deserves a watch.

If this movie does one thing well, it's building tension. There was times I was on the edge of my seat, clinched and sweaty, just imagining being up on that tower myself.

This is far from a, what I would call, a "critically good" movie. The visuals aren't top notch, especially in the beginning, but becomes more forgivable after the first scene, some of the dialogue and actions of the characters might make you scratch your head, and there are some major plot points that some might find to be predictable. The ending does feel pretty abrupt and I feel like we missed a couple good scenes on the cutting room floor in favor of run time.

All that being said, if you're a huge fan of survival thriller movies in the vein of 47 Meters Down, Frozen, etc. You would certainly have a good time with this flick. It does an excellent job of keeping you on edge throughout the whole movie, which is quite a feat, and something I haven't felt in a theater in awhile. It certainly has its flaws but it entertains remarkably well.