morrison-dylan-fan
Checking to see what imported Neo-Noir series BBC 4 would next show,I was surprised to find that they were screening a Nordic high- seas Adventure Drama. Recently finding 2012's The Deep and In the Heart of the Sea to be gripping lost/travelling the high seas films,I got on the raft for Kon-Titki.The plot-Wanting to go against the then-supported theory that the first settlers on Polynesia were people who migrated from "the west", explorer Thor Heyerdahl decides to prove his theory that South Americas in Pre-Columbian times were the original inhabitants by building a raft and going on a 4,300 mile journey across the ocean. Ruling that the raft only be made of materials that the original settlers used, Heyerdahl hires a crew to join him on the raft.View on the film:Hitting thunderous waves against the raft,directors Joachim Rønning and Espen Sandberg offer spectacular views of the high seas,with vast sweeping wide shots scanning the wilderness Heyerdahl and the crew are surrounded by. Taking 16 years to swim onto the screen, the directors make it worth the wait,as the decision to shoot on sea leads to a spectacular blending of CGI and the clutching at hope on the raft,which loosens as the crew get attacked by various deadly sea life in gripping battles.Partly based on Heyerdahl's bio, (with some crew changed to bring more "tension" into the film) the screenplay by Petter Skavlan superbly makes it a human adventure,by giving each crew member their own "moment",from the wide-eyed innocence of Heyerdahl to crusty seadog Bengt Danielsson (played by a very good Gustaf Skarsgård.) Going against the tide of his gritty performances in the fantastic Nordic Noir movies of auteur Hans Petter Moland, Pål Sverre Hagen gives a terrific performance as Heyerdahl,thanks to Sverre capturing the earthy,adventure atmosphere of the film,on the raft to Polynesia.
moosish-628-965954
SpoilersEverything in the film seems as real as real can be - so much so, in fact, that I am convinced that the angry butchering of the helpless large shark on deck was real. I had to turn my eyes away right away, but I saw enough to be convinced that this was a real shark and he suffered terribly. I'm also pretty sure that the parrot's death was real, although I can't be as sure about that. I know I'm going to have nightmares about that shark's horrible death.As to the actual expedition, it was truly one of the most remarkable experiments/adventures in modern history. It is amazing that everyone who participated survived!
Anssi Vartiainen
Kon-Tiki proves that there's still a place in the world for explorers. For adventurers, brave men and women that are willing to push farther than anyone before them. It's a tale of assumptions proved to be correct, of mad undertakings, lost causes, heroic deeds and the burning will to test the limits of human capability.Kon-Tiki tells the tale of Thor Heyerdahl (Pål Sverre Hagen), a real life "experimental archaeologist", who wanted to prove that the Polynesian islands could have been populated over the Pacific Ocean instead of the original settlers coming from Asia. And to prove this he decides to cross the Pacific himself, using ancient methods. The story is instantly interesting and made all the better because it's based on real events and real people.The actors are also up to the task, with Hagen being unshakably convincing as the leading dreamer and resident mad genius. I also really like the production values. Pacific has rarely looked better than here, the ship itself feels authentic and the Polynesian islands are beautiful to behold. I also like that the story doesn't shy away from the more somber events, like the strain this attempt put on Heyerdahl's marriage.All in all Kon-Tiki is well worth a watch for all that love adventures, biographies and sea voyages. It's a beautiful film, both visually and thematically.
lutyro
I was psyched to see this film. I've been to Polynesia and so many guides recommend reading Kon Tiki. So, I was really glad when I saw that this was streaming on Netflix. This is a failed Spielberg movie. Somehow, they managed to take the air out of an exciting story of discovery and courage turn it into a cornball paint by the numbers kitten poster. First, I didn't like the main actor. He totally lacked charisma which I could have got past if the rest of the movie was good. You have four other members of the crew who have agreed to go on this crazy adventure without creating character or motivation of why they agreed to go on this potentially life threatening journey. If these other members have been made to live and breathe there would have been a lot of tension and interest in the journey. The opportunity was completely missed. Furthermore, they didn't bother to indicate how much time passed and how long that they been at sea, etc. At one point they mention that they are headed in the wrong direction toward the Galapagos something and then never pick it up again. There is some good CGI with sharks and I did like those bits. Otherwise this is a pass.
AD
