REVIEW: ‘The Long Walk’ has more strides than stumbles

The Fellowship of the Ring would be like the 96 Bulls if they competed in the event featured here.

That competition is the titular “Long Walk.” A contest where a group of young men keep moving forward at a brisk pace until they physically can’t anymore. The competition exists as entertainment for a dystopian American, which is ruled by a totalitarian regime following a major war.

Should participants not be able to walk anymore, they’re given a few warnings before being killed off by military members. The last one walking receives a huge amount of cash, and can wish for any other prize he wants. The film mainly centers on a pair of competitors, Peter McVries (David Jonsson) and Raymond Grraty (Cooper Hoffman).

Deadly games used to entertain the masses living under authoritarian rule is a solid concept that has worked in the past. Recent examples have ranged from B-movie action with 2008’s “Death Race” to the more serious “Hunger Games” series. Even this film is based on a successful book by Stephen King from the 70s.

Whether film or print, this type of media is able to show the dangers of fascistic rule, as well as the power of propaganda and how a regime can utilize it to keep the poor under their thumb. These films can all portray that at a grounded, human level with its main characters being participants. That’s the case with “The Long Walk,” which contains all of those elements.

The audience gets a full idea of the desperation of this nation’s populace, as well as the dread of living in a country where state power is absolute and ruthless. The viewer is shown this all through the collective effort of the young men in this film trying to make it. On that aspect, the movie is successfully compelling.

However, there are some issues in the overall execution and portrayal that detract from the feature. Perhaps the largest issue is how the flick pushes one’s suspension of disbelief too far. The characters in this flick walk without any breaks or rest to distances that is just beyond physically possible.

A person’s mileage (no pun intended) when it comes to believing if such a competition is possible may vary. Ultimately, it was an issue on this end. All things considered, though, this isn’t a huge problem with the film, as the character drama and themes remain a good selling point. Unfortunately, it’s not the only problem for the movie.

Another matter holding the film back is the lack of any exterior insight. The audience is told the competition is being broadcast, yet the viewer never gets to see the televised production. Seeing what people at their homes would be watching, with commentary and stats next to the characters like it’s simply a sport, similar to “Hunger Games,” could’ve added another layer of perspective.

The movie is also set in the 1970s, which doesn’t quite help the picture either. While it gives the movie a sort of classic Americana vibe that adds to the idea of a fascist United States, there’s a feeling it may have been more relatable for the flick to take place in the present day. With it being in a sort of alternate 1970s, there’s more of a degree of separation as it doesn’t fully reflect our time.

With that said, the movie still is worth watching thanks to its engaging premise of adversity for the characters and the larger implications of the contest as a whole. It helps that those main characters are fairly memorable, too, especially the two leads played by Hoffman and Jonsson.

Both actors have shown good acting chops before, such as “Licorice Pizza” for Hoffman and “Alien: Romulus” for Jonsson, and they perform well here. The struggle, anger and resolve of their characters is all convincing. The supporting cast is pretty good, too, even with them playing somewhat generic characters, such as a typical drill sergeant type figure in The Major.

He was played by Mark Hamill, and the actor gives some extra personality to the figure, and that’s true with others in the cast as well for their respective characters.

The acting, especially from its two leads, as well as how the film shows the plight of these characters as they go on this grueling, gritty and gruesome journey, makes “The Long Walk” an above average feature. Director Francis Lawrence, who’s helmed several “Hunger Games” features, has a movie that is often effective. Yet there are weaknesses at play, too, hindering the potential for a great cinematic achievement. 3.35 out of 5.