Absolutely Fantastic

A brilliant film that helped define a genre

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

This film is advertised as a documentary, but I actually experienced it as a low- budget horror film along the lines of The Blair Witch Project. In fact, I wasn't sure whether it was more terrifying to imagine being forced to go on a 225-mile hike in the company of this insufferable coven of Starbucks yuppies or being on an innocent walk in the woods, stumbling across the filmmakers, and having to listen to them play finger-cymbals and talk about kale. The fact that none of them can stay off their freaking cell phones for more than an hour at a time is almost enough reason to leave them on the trail as bear chum (yes, these are the guys you come across on the banks of the most gorgeous lake you've ever seen who celebrate the occasion by calling someone in another state to talk about espresso capsules). If that doesn't do it for you, the documentary also features the Most Irritating White Man In North America (you'll recognize him by his hipster hat, his hipster beard, and his hipster humor-- he's so ironic that even his irony is ironic). Though the filmmakers quote John Muir incessantly, you can't help feeling Muir would have chosen to become a bricklayer if he'd known the trail that bears his name would one day be traversed by people like these.

This is the story of a group of people who have done a hike that literally thousands of people have done before. They then present it in Reality TV fashion, so that every moment is reviewed over and over again from different people's "reflection time".Favorite moments include: - Doing laundry in the river - Realizing there is a lot of walking to do - Admiring the scenery - Talking about doing laundry - Listening to another person's take on the laundry - Talking about the long walks - Hearing someone else tell us what the long walks were like - Deciding to not walk the more difficult route - Talking about that person's decision to choose the quicker route - Another person's reflection on the walk - Recap on the laundry - Time-lapse video of tents being erected - More commentary on how long they are walking - More commentary on how long they are walkingLiterally, THOUSANDS of people have done this hike, and continue to do so annually. This is not in any way a groundbreaking feat. This is not a documentary, it is a Reality TV take on basic Boy Scout curriculum, but it is presented as though the participants are doing something outrageous. Sure, it is a long time to be out there, but it is in no way out of the realm of many high school outdoor education programs, and none of the kids on those trips make such a big deal out of it (and yes, those trips can last just as long).

The "Range of Light" piece in the extra features is enough to inspire, but the film does an even better job of bringing to life the beauty of the world around us, a world described in the film as "in our own backyard." The passion the film-makers have for their work is evidenced by their dedication - carrying pounds and pounds of extra gear through 211 grueling miles. They are not actors, they are film-makers who love the outdoors. This fact rings true throughout the film.While so many of us don't have the ability to leave our lives for a month and take on such a venture, this film brings that experience, as best it can, to your living room. However, I believe their goal is accomplished -- inspire you to get out and do it yourself. The soundtrack to the film is beautiful and perfectly accompanies the beautiful scenery.Five stars!

I first heard about Mile...Mile & A Half on Facebook. They had a screening in San Diego in August 2013! What an amazing movie by some amazing people. My wife and I just got married in July 2013 and The JMT is our honeymoon for June/July 2014! This movie just made us more excited than we were. Such a beautiful movie, well put together, and absolutely stunning and hilarious. I loved it so much I saw it a second time earlier this month in the actual movie theater screenings! I would recommend this to any one. If you love to hike and backpack and love the Sierras, this movie will blow your mind! GO SEE IT!!! Bring the entire family! I bought the Blu Ray copy to show all my family and friends. Do yourself a favor, don't miss a screening in your town!