FILM REVIEW: THE LONG WALK (15) ESP RATING: 4.5/5

Weapons was arguably my favourite movie of the year so far – well this walks it very close.

This emotional drama-thriller based on Stephen King’s novel, is a very male-centric buddy movie, that those old of us enough to remember (and maybe love) the likes of Stand By Me, The Dead Poets Society, Toy Soldiers and White Squall – off the top of my head – will really resonate with the distressing nature at play. And definitely one for guys who could empathise in a similar situation if you’re part of a close-knit group of pals.

Set in a dystopian American future – where the USA has virtually turned into a more impoverished third-world country – with the States governed by a totalitarian regime, thousands of teenage boys sign up to participate in ‘The Long Walk’ – an event which randomly chooses fifty participants to battle against death – that promises important riches during such hard times.

Said contenders – including the likes of Cooper Hoffman’s (son of the late Philip Seymour) Ray Garretty and David Jonsson’s (breakout star of Alien: Romulus) Pete – must walk, without stopping, along a pre-set route with soldiers – led by Mark ‘Luke Skywalker’ Hamill’s tyrannical Major – escorting them.

With water and minimal rations, any walker who falls below three miles per hour is given a verbal warning, but after three warnings they are then executed, with the one survivor being the last man walking – and that person receiving considerable wealth and a ‘wish’ to be fulfilled.

Fortunately the movie has just the man for the job, with director Francis Lawrence having helmed The Hunger Games franchise – which this has obvious similarities to – and his experience with this kind of scenario definitely shines through.

But it’s Hoffman and Jonsson as the two exceptionally compelling leads – along with able support around them – that really take the premise to the next level. They are sensational as the movie purveys powerful themes of friendship, morals and regret.

And when it comes back to the executions it doesn’t hold back, with brutally graphic ‘head blown off’ killings – the way the soldiers are ordered – that really adds a sense of shock and dread to the walkers striving for survival.

There’s arguably a slightly divisive ambiguity to the ending, but bar that, this is exceptionally well-devised from start-to-finish.

A tremendously contemplative and haunting experience that film fans – particularly the male demographic – should run to see.

ESP Rating: 4.5/5

Gavin Miller

Showcase Cinema De Lux Peterborough & Odeon Luxe Peterborough, Out Now

Cast: Cooper Hoffman, David Jonsson, Garrett Wareing, Tut Nyuot, Charlie Plummer, Ben Wang, Joshua Odjick, Judy Greer & Mark Hamill

Running Time: 1 Hr 48 Mins

Director: Francis Lawrence

Film Review Venue: Showcase Cinema De Lux Peterborough

For all the latest film information & showtimes at Peterborough’s Showcase Cinema De Lux & Odeon Luxe cinemas go to www.showcasecinemas.co.uk and www.odeon.co.uk