The Gorge

The Gorge

This Apple TV+ movie was streamed yesterday.

A semi-retired Marine sniper (Miles Teller) is recruited by a still impressive Sigourney Weaver for an unusual job that will last for a year - no details given. At the same time, a Lithuanian sniper (Anya Taylor-Joy) is recruited by someone for a similar job.

They are sedated and then helicoptered in to a point a day's hike from their duty posts - one on either side of a deep, mist filled gorge, each in their own ageing concrete tower to guard the gorge.

The rules are quite simple - no contact with your opposite number on the other side; a radio check in every 30 days; kill anything trying to get out of the gorge; expect to be relieved in 12 months.

To no-one's surprise, they don't obey the rules - shenanigans ensue...

It's utter b0ll0cks, but good fun - the writers/producers have sat down with a large quantity of edibles and asked themselves the question, "Given what we are trying to do, what precautions would we have to take?"

There are plot holes you could taxi an Airbus through, but ignore that and eat your popcorn, and you'll likely enjoy it.

It was good to watch an uncomplicated linear story with nobody trying to be the next great film.

It just a solid narrative story with a bit of action, some fantastical elements to bring it all together, mystery and a little romance to spice it up.

We have a very small cast, limited sets and special effects which all goes with the narrative well.

This would have gone bad if it had a bigger budget, but this is just a solid, entertaining movie. Everyone from the writing directing. Camera, actors, special effects all just delivered quality.

I had given up on Hollywood been able to create these sort of movies. I assume the budget was small and all the parts just work.

The Acting Anya Taylor-Joy is a great actress. She adds believability to her role by the way she delivers her lines. It is like she is a sniper not just playing one. Same thing will Teller. It's amazing what real actors can do with a story that has been told many times. These two put a new twist on an old story and they make work. Sigourney Weaver was a real surprise who did a good job in a supporting role.

The Story The movie had excellent pace. The action scenes were very well done.

The writing was excellent. Having good lines to deliver by the actors keeps your interest.

Anya and Teller have very good on screen chemistry. You never feel like they are just saying their lines. It would be great to see these two in a sequel but the story doesn't lend itself to a part 2.

The premise of this movie was strong, unique and extremely intriguing. Ultimately, I didn't hate how it unfolded, but I found myself wanting more by the end. There were so many unanswered questions, so many things that could have been explored but weren't because of the time constraints that come with a movie.

Truly, this would have made for a much better TV show, or even a mini series, where things could be fleshed out properly and not rushed as much.

I also found myself wishing it were maybe a video game instead, especially during the moments where cinematically, it DID feel like I was watching a video game cutscene.

In the end, this was a decent film that wasn't able to live up to its potential because there wasn't enough time to explore the world, build the world, or flesh out the characters and conflicts in the world.

A video game or TV show would have been much, much better.

Just watched The Gorge on Apple TV+, and I've gotta say-it's a blast. It's like The Last of Us meets The Thing with a bit of Alien: Romulus thrown in. A wild mix of sci-fi, horror, and romance that somehow works.

Miles Teller and Anya Taylor-Joy are both fantastic on their own, but together? Even better. They've got great chemistry, and you actually care about their characters. Zach Dean's script is sharp-imaginative, funny, scary, and surprisingly emotional.

And the score? Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross absolutely nailed it. It's moody and atmospheric when it needs to be, then kicks into rock 'n' roll at just the right moments. Some eerie choral stuff in there, too, which gives it a unique feel.

Honestly, I wish this had hit theaters-it's the kind of movie that would've been even more fun on a big screen. But hey, it's free on Apple TV+, so no complaints. Even though it runs long, it never drags.

Solid 8/10. Definitely worth checking out.