As one of over a thousand media covering the 12 boys and their coach trapped inside a northern Thailand cave four years ago, I didn’t expect “Thirteen Lives”, the new film by Ron Howard, to be very absorbing. Yet the director put the audience under a spell and at times, we were on the edge of our seats. As it turns out, “Thirteen” is the best movie on the Tham Luang incident so far, and one of the finest films I’ve seen in recent years.

 

Howard managed to mesmerize us throughout the 2.5-hour running time even though we all already knew the ending. He wanted to tell the story in a journalist style, and he did that perfectly – no more, no less. At one point, I felt claustrophobic and needed time away from the screen. I had to take a break to catch my breath before coming back to “rejoin” the rescue.

 

The sense of claustrophobia was almost overwhelming at times. Kudos to Sayombhu Mukdeeprom, director of photography, who perfectly “crafted” the underwater cinematography which plays an essential part in taking us inside the cave. For me, those scenes are to “show” not to “tell” us how challenging and almost impossible the rescue mission was.

 

Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thirteen-lives-highly-recommended-for-all-except-for-the-claustrophobic/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-08-24

 

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Before watching this movie, I strongly recommend watching the documentary of the same name on YouTube. You'll then appreciate the movie and the lengths Ron Howard has gone to to make it as accurate as possible even more so.

Of course it's an "absorbing" film.......why would it be otherwise?

 

It's Ron Howards job to make films that are.

 

He's very good at it.

 

 

Edited August 24, 20223 yr by Enoon

On 8/24/2022 at 5:01 PM, Enoon said:

Of course it's an "absorbing" film.......why would it be otherwise?

 

It's Ron Howards job to make films that are.

 

He's very good at it.

 

 

you completely missed the point I was making 

IMHO like Sully the movie, Thirteen Lives is no where near as good as the documentary that preceded it.  Watch the documentary first then watch the trailer for the movie and make up your own mind if you want to watch the full length movie.

A superb portrayal of the entire incident that we followed almost hourly on TV and other media.  I watched the Thai language version without subtitles!  Didn't really need dialogue, so IMHO that makes it an excellent moving picture story.

Highly recommended.

I find it quiet pointless to watch, if you know the outcome... .

Brilliant movie. I see a lot of movies but this is probably the best one I have seen for many years.

5 minutes ago, FrederikKitten said:

I find it quiet pointless to watch, if you know the outcome... .

I think in truth we know the endings to many films before watching them as the good guys pretty much always win at the end. I watched the new Top Gun yesterday. It was obvious from the start how it was going to play out, but I still really enjoyed it.

Did Ron Howard get an award for the movie? I cant remember but if he didnt something is wrong with the award system.

On 8/24/2022 at 9:08 AM, webfact said:

claustrophobia

Dont think i can watch it

1 hour ago, FrederikKitten said:

I find it quiet pointless to watch, if you know the outcome... .

Unless u enjoy cave diving

 

1 hour ago, FrederikKitten said:

I find it quiet pointless to watch, if you know the outcome...

Actually, Ron Howard is a master at making us feel good about mankind. Remember "Apollo 13?" That we know the ending is irrelevant; how we got to that ending is the substance of the movie. In today's world, it's rare to see mankind in a decent light.

On 8/29/2022 at 11:25 AM, JimGant said:

Actually, Ron Howard is a master at making us feel good about mankind. Remember "Apollo 13?" That we know the ending is irrelevant; how we got to that ending is the substance of the movie. In today's world, it's rare to see mankind in a decent light.

Good film but suffers like a lot of modern film from the same problem-too long. 2.5 hours of mostly cave divers was asking a but much, should have cut it by at least 20 minutes. Lots of pointless scenes like one diver walking off in the jungle to phone his son back home to say nothing. More could have been covered of the boys in the cave.

On 8/29/2022 at 9:36 AM, FrederikKitten said:

I find it quiet pointless to watch, if you know the outcome... .

Yes okay, but shh... don't ruin it for others. 

11 hours ago, proton said:

Good film but suffers like a lot of modern film from the same problem-too long. 2.5 hours of mostly cave divers was asking a but much, should have cut it by at least 20 minutes. Lots of pointless scenes like one diver walking off in the jungle to phone his son back home to say nothing. More could have been covered of the boys in the cave.

Was Musk in the film?

Saw the National Geographic one first, well made enjoyed it. Was sceptical to watch this one as I just saw the story. It is the same story but a different take on it. 

 I enjoyed both versions, they compliment each other. Ones technical, one is emotional. 

5 minutes ago, Sparktrader said:

Was Musk in the film?

Thankfully no.

 

FWIW: I was seated in front of Vernon Unsworth on a flight last year. Had a good chat with him. Was surprised that he didn't get more mention in the film. We didn't talk about his case against that <deleted> Musk who got away with defamation on a technicality. 

1 minute ago, soi3eddie said:

Thankfully no.

 

FWIW: I was seated in front of Vernon Unsworth on a flight last year. Had a good chat with him. Was surprised that he didn't get more mention in the film. We didn't talk about his case against that <deleted> Musk who got away with defamation on a technicality. 

How many divers were there?

4 minutes ago, Sparktrader said:

How many divers were there?

There were many divers including Thais. Only a few made the journey accompanying the sedated boys out. Highly recommend you watch the film. It's on Amazon Prime and other channels.

 

 

Edited August 31, 20223 yr by soi3eddie

On 8/29/2022 at 9:36 AM, FrederikKitten said:

I find it quiet pointless to watch, if you know the outcome... .

I watched it last night, great movie.

Knowing the outcome doesn't detract from the enormity of the task in hand or the entertainment value, a very short 2.5 hours.

There will be more movies on this than the Friday the 13th series.

 

 

59 minutes ago, Sparktrader said:

Was Musk in the film?

No but the monk was

2 hours ago, soi3eddie said:

There were many divers including Thais. Only a few made the journey accompanying the sedated boys out. Highly recommend you watch the film. It's on Amazon Prime and other channels.

 

 

I saw 3 or 4 farang divers on tv

Plus thai seals

12 hours ago, Sparktrader said:

Was Musk in the film?

No mention. It was a good movie but sanitized of several aspects that happened during the live event. 

1 hour ago, Dan O said:

No mention. It was a good movie but sanitized of several aspects that happened during the live event. 

They didnt want legal action

 

1 hour ago, Sparktrader said:

They didnt want legal action

 

Or bad publicity

On 8/29/2022 at 9:36 AM, FrederikKitten said:

I find it quiet pointless to watch, if you know the outcome... .

Did you ever  watch a war movie?

I lived on edge throughout the whole time. It was dreadful thinking of those little kids so lost so  frightened.  Thank goodness  it turned  out well.

7 hours ago, Dan O said:

Or bad publicity

They still have not got over the Yul Brynner film.