It is that real story that has provoked a great debate that has been expressed about Philippe Petit, and a group of potential recruits who are accomplishing the impossible together through a march that is the finest in their lives. These young people are marching illegally in the vast void under the guidance of his mentor in real life, Papa Roddy. The young man and his gang are engaged in a dangerous task with the help of an unexpected group of recruits, who have finally overcome long difficulties, betrayals and schisms.
Zemeckis's failing is his inattention to every other detail, but The Walk undeniably exists for its climax: one stunt it does manage to pull off flawlessly.
Zemeckis's joy at staging the event is infectious and he takes the 3D IMAX cameras out there in mid air to show you the historic walk in all its dizzying, windy, high-altitude, and bloody footed insanity.
The Walk turns what is a relatively straightforward act - albeit a scarily placed one - into something stunning by restoring a sense of physicality to what's happening onscreen.
It's two-thirds of a great film but the slow start and unremarkable first hour hold it back. Still, for those who buy into the precept that "good things are worth waiting for," The Walk unquestionably delivers.
Gordon-Levitt captures the nuances of Petit's personality and, more importantly, taps into Petit's urgent need to go for a stroll some 400 meters above the ground.
Zemeckis -- relying both on Gordon-Levitt's energy and regular glimpses of Manhattan streets from more than 400 meters in the air -- manages to maintain a sense of tension. Even for those of us who know full well what happens.
