The Long Walk - It's About The Journey Isn't It?

Based on the Stephen King novel of the same name, The Long Walk, is about a group of young men participating in an annual competition: The Long Walk. These boys travel from all over the world with one goal...walk or die.

Living in a totalitarian military regime world, they can make their lives better by surviving the competition. They get a whole lot of money and one wish, anything they want within reason. The walk begins and they have to maintain a speed of at least 3.0 mph. Dip below, first warning. If you fail or stop, you're killed.

There's no breaks. No rests. No sleeping. They need to use the bathroom? Better make it quick before you're killed. Lose a shoe? Twist or break your ankle? Tough. Keep walking or die.

The movie was more akin to Shawshank than anything else. Men trapped in their circumstances, trying to maintain hope and survive. Sadly, only one can win the competition.

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The Walk is supposed to inspire patriotism and a better work ethic; maybe if the world didn't suck so much it wouldn't be needed.

The movie focuses on the budding friendship of a few of the boys, mostly Ray (Cooper Hoffman) and Peter (David Johnson). While most just want to survive on their own and not help, the core group stand with each other. Hold each other when they need to rest, support each other when they're starting to lose hope.

Mark Hamill does an incredible job as "The Major". The military leader in charge of The Walk. For the little he's there, you feel the imposing military figure radiating from him and his voice as he taunts the young men.

As the two bond, Ray and Peter talk about what they want their wish to be. Peter wants to do something to make the world a better place. Personally, I would have wanted to do the same. If you're in a position to change the world for the better, why wouldn't you do something? Ray's wish is a little darker and bleaker. He wants a rifle carried by one of the guards...so he can kill The Major.

It's revealed in his backstory that Ray's father was killed in front of him by The Major because he was the opposing the military party. Sharing knowledge and reading material he shouldn't be sharing.

Because its King, Ray and Peter are of course the final two. And of course, given the storyline, it ends on a bleak tone.

I won't spoil who ultimately wins and what the wish is. It's something you have to see for yourself.

The movie isn't a non-stop thriller. It's a slow burn with moments of high tension as the warnings to the walkers begin to increase. People you like fading and getting shot. It's very much about the people. The journey and how they try to survive this nightmare of a walk. Standing by each other when some would be sabotaging so they can win.

I wouldn't be able to survive the walk. I COULD however do what they did at some special screenings and walk at their pace for the length of the movie. The Walk lasted over 5 days. That's a long time walking.

I'd give this a try. It's not a fun movie, but its intriguing. The characters are relatable and you wish they could have a tie and all share the prize. It's why I relate it to Shawshank or even Stand By Me. It's a character piece above all else with something happening along with it.

4/5