In 2017, Alex Honnold attempts to become the first person to free solo El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. A 3000 foot granite rock face climbed with no ropes or safety devices. 

Free Solo is a great film. I can not believe it took me three years to get around to watching this, but thank goodness for Disney Plus introducing Star into their line up. 

The film is made by climber Jimmy Chin and film maker Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi. A couple who are also friends with their protagonist. Something that actually heightens the tension in the film. In one scene they discuss with Alex where they can and can not place cameras during his climb because they do not want to be responsible for causing his death by breaking his focus. 

The bulk of the film delves into the type of person Alex is and his painstaking practice and research for his climb. Alex is a fascinating character. We see him take an MRI to discover how his brain reacts to risk, hear from friends and family and most intriguingly his new girlfriend Sanni. Why does Alex do these climbs when a single mistake will cost him his life? Will opening his heart to Sanni take away the mental armour he needs to keep his mind focused on the task at hand? 

And then we have the finale. The climb itself is captured with stunning cinematography that show this gravity defying feat in all its glory. Watch this on a big screen and you will be absolutely in awe of the skill, guts and insanity on display here. I felt moments of tension in these scenes that even the greatest thriller could not conjure.

Scintillating stuff.