Handsome "Kon-Tiki" a sublime look at a remarkable, true journey
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| Kon-Tiki |
The Norwegian-made "Kon-Tiki" is one of those rare, impeccably made, handsome photographed action adventure stories that really is true. Based on the landmark Kon-Tiki exploration, it's a beautiful, though often harrowing look at a trip that made waves at the time. Norwegian explorer Thor Heyerdahl (played by Norwegian actor Pål Sverre Valheim Hagen) crossed the Pacific ocean in a balsa wood raft in 1947, together with five men, to prove that South Americans already back in pre-Columbian times could have crossed the sea and settle on Polynesian islands; their epic 101 day-long journey across 5,000 miles set the standard for trips such as this. Nominated for the Best Foreign Film Oscar this year and filmed on location in the Pacific Ocean, "Kon-Tiki" is an authentic, though dramatized look at the groundbreaking 1947 Kon-Tiki exploration. Masterfully directed by Norway's Joachim Rønning ("Bandidas"), with sublime photography, visuals, sound and a nice level of intensity, "Kon-Tiki" is a must-see film, not only for historians but for those who love a good (and true) yarn such as this. Though some dramatic liberties have been taken with the story, "Kon-Tiki" is still a sharp look at how the crew was affected by their elements from day one. Their scary run-ins with sharks may remind of "Jaws," but "Kon-Tiki" isn't a horror film (though certainly some of their situations were horrific), but a triumph of the human spirit. On that level, it can seem awfully familiar and even anti-climactic especially for those who know how it turned out, but the enjoyable "Kon-Tiki" is a satisfying adventure, its poignancy underscored by the fact it's a true story. Interestingly, while this film version did not win an Oscar (and it probably should've), the same-named 1951 documentary did win for Best Documentary. Definitely worth seeing.
NOTE: This is the review for the dubbed, re-edited English version and not the original Norwegian version.
Wes's Grade: A-
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