Petit’s extraordinary story was also the subject of the Oscar-winning documentary Man on Wire, whose slick blend of archival footage, still photographs, dramatic re-enactments and interviews made it an incredibly compelling watch. The only thing missing in that film was video footage of the actual walk itself.
Although recreated, it’s the piece de resistance of Zemeckis’ film.

The film, and Gordon-Levitt, shines in this final act, as we watch, with our hearts in our mouths breath suspended, waiting for him to come back safely to the other side. Like the unbelievably fearless Petit, at this high point, you feel you are soaring, weightless, high above the world.

Philippe Petit was an amazing amalgamation of talent and courage (which many would call insanity) who made the impossible, possible. Watch this film for Levitt’s great portrayal of Petit, Zemeckis’ great visual effects and also the greatness of the feat achieved by the artist.

The Walk is in some sense an old-fashioned adventure movie. It can be seen by the whole family, it is narrated by the hero from the Statue of Liberty (appropriate because that was a gift by France to America) and it switches between ‘60s France and early ‘70s America. It’s a movie with some amount of melancholy but mostly it’s about human endeavour and friendships. It’s about giving thanks.

While Petit’s journey from novice to expert is breezed through, the final 40 minutes of the film, really suits the 3D treatment, makes it all worthwhile. Delightfully quaint and definitely entertaining.

It’s an easy enough walk to the ticket counter. Take it. And tell your friends about it. Flaws and all, it still is well worth the price of admission.

The Walk is not just a film, it’s an experience. The gripping film will give you the chills as it takes you to the top of the twin towers for a never-seen-before journey.

The acting is solid, if not exactly extraordinary. And the Imax heightens the dread and the perception to incredible heights. CGI is also quite majestic. This is simply note-worthy entertainment brought about by the best technicians in the business of cinema.

Ultimately The Walk is for those who haven’t seen Man on Wire, with all the standard feel good elements that you expect from the genre. Plus there’s enough JGL cuteness to please his fans. But there’s no denying that the people involved with this film played it safe to deliver a short climactic spectacle, rather than a truly compelling story.

For those who know the Twin Towers only as crumbled tombstones made of smoke and tragedy, The Walk is a tour of those buildings as they were originally and as they were meant to be. To see them up close, watch The Walk. But to know what the madness and passion they inspired, find a DVD of Man on Wire.

…keeps you on the edge during its show-stopping sequence, which is worth a watch.

The Walk is engaging, without ever overdoing the drama. The film features top-notch visual effects, which are second only to its stellar performances. Watch it in IMAX for an unforgettable experience.

…the director does a fairly good balancing act but when you remove the flesh and come down to the wire, you realise that the director is smitten by CGI imagery. No crime, but it makes the work of an artist, who always maintained that he is not a circus clown, a little gimmicky or what you loosely call Hollywoodish. It becomes all the more apparent for those who have watched James Marsh’s astonishing Oscar winning documentary on the subject.