Free Solo: DVD Review

Free Solo: DVD Review

Released by Madman Home Ent

There's an inordinate amount of set-up in Free Solo, the documentary that centres around what many would perceive as madness.

It's the story of Alex Hannold, the climber who's gained fame for going up tall mountains, without support or ropes. This follows him as he prepares for the ascent of El Capitan in Yosemite in 2017.

The first part of the doco is the usual stock standard character stuff - peppered by some more intriguing and interesting moments. Hannold undergoes an MRI to see if he's wired differently, reveals how much time he spends living in a van - it all goes to provide a portrait of someone who's definitely different to many others.

But the built up is like an extremely long tease as everyone is really just waiting for the climb itself.

Which it has to be said, delivers.

Shot from the bottom up to give the sense of scale for El Capitan and Hannold's actual feat, it's a vertiginous pay-off for what's gone ahead, a true salute to man's achievement.

It's worth it, also for the growing sense of guilt and unease on the ground - both from Alex's girlfriend but also the camera crew who wonder how complicit they would be should anything happen.

Ultimately, Free Solo delivers in its last 20 minutes - but like the mountain size itself, it's a big climb to get there.