Review of Alpha (2018) by Greg C — 01 Sep 2018
Lesson One: There are many different kinds of strength in the world. For me, Albert Hughe's Alpha approaches the category of cinematic masterwork. It is beautiful, it is gripping, and it has something to say.
It presents a breathtaking tribal Europe of 20,000 years ago. Most of film is spent with our lead actor Kodi Smit-McPhee and his wolf/dog. His "conversation" with the wolf/dog uses a no-longer existent early Indo-European tribal language, and accordingly is translated for us by subtitles.
Honestly, most of the film is told in action, and so holds its audience eyes glued to the screen. We are rewarded with some of the most beautifully crafted vistas of this movie-going year. My only quibble is a twist at the end that should have been revealed more organically much earlier.
The scan tribal scenes in this movie feel the way I have come to think of pre-European Native American tribes. Previously unknown-to-me cinematographer, Martin Gschlacht does an A+ job on this movie. To borrow from some friends and other reviewers, this is a must see in theater and the bigger the better kind of movie.
One more lesson: Trust takes time to build.
This review of Alpha (2018) was written by Greg C on 01 Sep 2018.
Alpha has generally received positive reviews.
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