RipDelight
This is a tender, generous movie that likes its characters and presents them as real people, full of flaws and strengths.
ChicDragon
It's a mild crowd pleaser for people who are exhausted by blockbusters.
Cassandra
Story: It's very simple but honestly that is fine.
Darin
One of the film's great tricks is that, for a time, you think it will go down a rabbit hole of unrealistic glorification.
aaakachh
You needed to more things
More reality on the look of their faces
Longer beard maybe
And the real survivors in the end of the movies and what they are up to in these days
Thanks
wyup
I think I can safely say now that 'Alive' is a classic. It is a family-oriented movie and at the same time true to the story. It is not a personal film or gory, as it would be if made today.I was lucky to experience it when it hit the theatres in 1993, I have the book at home that my mother bought when it came out, so I was already familiar with the story.We all have seen various plane crash sequences in movies, each time more elaborate, but there is not any that impressed me like this one and felt more realistic. I felt chills the first time the plane appeared, with the dark beginning of the interview setting just the right mood.The rest of the movie is entertaining, we get to feel like the characters, and the snow and mountains looked so real on celluloid. I admit that some moments were made for tension, like the hanging from the rock, but it's all right. It explains the camaraderie, faith and hope that drives the story. I will never forget the take when they finally reach the green valley and the water with that camera panning.It was one of the truly cinematic moments of the 90s, before the actual era where movies come just one more out of hundreds. When we all went to bed at night reliving the images and music that we saw at the theatres. Alive was one of them.
Screen_Blitz
Disasters are part of our nature, but what comes of a disaster is a test to your willpower to survive, and sometimes maybe your faith. When a miracle occurs following the wake of a tragic event, a story almost always must be told. The courage and hardships of the Uruguayan rugby team in 1972 in the face of an ill-fated airline disaster is explicitly demonstrated here in this biographical adventure directed by Frank Marshall who is normally seen in the producer's chair for works by Touchstone. This film was set for development by Disney in the early 80s. But as Disney sparked disapproval for violent content in films, it wasn't until the founding of the Touchstone division to allow films of the lesser family-friendly. After all, the gruesome disaster images and occasionally earned the R-rating here. Based on true events involving bravery, determination, and survival; the film focuses on the 1972 Uruguayan Rubgy team along with some family members on a plane ride as they travel to Chile for a championship game. But when they reach through the Andes mountains, it's not long before the weather gets ugly and blizzards began arriving. Soon, the storm takes a toll on them when their plane crashes and shatters into the snowy fields of the Andes mountain range, killing several passengers. With scarce food supply and no available radio signal, the survivors are force to take extreme measures including cannibalism to survive the blistering subzero conditions until help arrives.Featuring a large ensemble cast of Ethan Hawke, Vincent Spano, Josh Hamilton, Bruce Ramsey, John Newton, David Kriegal, Kevin Breznahan, Sam Renhans, Illeana Douglas, Jack Noseworthy, Christian J. Neoli, Jake Carpenter, Michael DeLorenzo, Jose Zinuga, and a few others; the tense, survival adventure pulls no almost punches when depicting the horrifying disaster followed by the aftermath the team must endure. Powerfully capturing the fateful events on both a technical and narrative level, the film showcases a harrowing portrayal of the tragedy to left the rugby team and their family members fighting vigorously for their survival but questioning their spirituality. Following a solid narration from John Malvoich in the opening scene, viewers reach the film's highest point of intensity in one of the most graphic and authentic plane crash scenes ever encountered on film, with the half of the plane tearing to pieces and passengers sucked off-board, tossed around, and cut by debris resulting in their bloody injuries (or deaths). And after his heart-racing scene, the tension doesn't stop there. The story captures the punishing fight for survival with vast detail, exploring through gritty character studies including their distasteful experience of resourcing to using the dead as food, the physical brutality of the blistering cold temperatures, and the test of their faith. Contrary to many faith-based flicks, the film does a nice job as executing the religious aspect of the story effectively without making it heavy-handed or manipulative. But the movie's most powerful caliber lies in the emotional investment incorporated in the story. From the bonding between the team- turned family and their will to make it out alive hits hard and ignites a strong emotional core.Alive is a deeply moving tale of survival brought together by the ingenious efforts by director Frank Marshall. Blossoming with arresting performances, an inspiring screenplay, and a powerful message about surviving through harsh circumstances; this movie is a profound story that well deserved your attention, even if it the physical (and emotional) intensity packs a punch to your gut.
rpete528
I read some of the reviews by the people who didn't like this movie. Some people think they know everything and one reviewer actually stated he wished the all died. I just shake my head. I could never imagine the pain and suffering these people went through. How traumatic it must have been to just survive the crash but then survive in those conditions. This movie tries to tie in a lot into 2 hours. Most people just associate the crash because of what occurred after it being the eating of human flesh. What would any of us have done to survive? Had this movie been made now it probably would be more graphic and intense which is what people are looking for. To me, this was fine the way it was done. Just remember, when you watch this, you have understand this movie is telling a big story in a short time. I'm sure there were a lot of other things that could have been told.