Movie Review #13 - "Kon-Tiki (2012)"

Movie Review #13 - "Kon-Tiki (2012)"

Before I delve into this movie review, I remember as a child seeing the book, "Kon-Tiki" by Thor Heyerdahl in the libraries that I visited.  Someone told me that it was a great book about adventure and sailing ... How stupid was I never to have read it then ... 

On IMDB:  "Kon-Tiki (2012)"

Benny's Tabasco Rating:  10 / 10

Synopsis:  Thor Heyerdahl, a Norwegian scientist, ventures to the Polynesian Islands to do research for (I'm guessing here) to be published or a doctoral dissertation.  The movie doesn't elaborate on it much.  While he is researching, one of the native Polynesians takes him to a statue of Tiki, a Peruvian idol.  Thor gets inspired and writes a book on how Polynesia was settled from the West not the East (e.g. Asia).

So, he goes to New York City to raise capital for his voyage.  During his trip, he meets Herman Watzinger, a somewhat lonely and depressed refrigerator salesman.   The two become instant friends and they leave New York City without all of the funding they need.

They travel to Peru and meet up with Thor's friends, Erik, Knut, Torstein, and a photography named Bengt.  They build a raft made a balsa wood (yes, balsa wood) and begin their 5,000 miles journey from Peru to the Polynesian Islands.

There are challenges along the way ... And of course, they make it ... 

Writing:  Oh my word!   This is one of the best screenplays ever written.  The dialog is tight, solid, and substantial.  The character development of each character blew me away.

Direction:  Joaquim Ronning and Espen Sandberg are incredible.  The movements, the pain, the joy, the sadness ... They really brought it out of a cast of actors that most people (including myself) have never seen or heard of ...

Cinematography:  One word.  Stunning.  Even though I was watching this on my 27" monitor, I was amazed at the incredible shots.  Almost every shot was breath-taking, even the shots in New York City.

Actors:  While I really had never seen any of them until this film, they were amazing.  Pal Sverre Hagen plays Thor Heyerdahl and truly carries a lot of the film.  My favorite actor, by far, was Anders Baasmo Christensen  who plays Herman Watzinger.  The other cast members were solid in their performance; each of them plays a key role in the success of the adventure.

Overall Review:  First, it's on Netflix (link below).  You might try to find it at Redbox or even the Public Library.  It's now one of my Top Ten.

You have to watch this film if you have any spirit of adventure, love the ocean (or nature for that matter), or simply love a good story.

So .. What are you waiting for?

Netflix:  "Kon-Tiki (2012)" --- On Netflix