It’s been a long road for “The Long Walk” to make it to the big screen. Adapted from the first novel legendary author Stephen King ever wrote (and eventually published under his pseudonym Richard Bachman), while studying at the University of Maine, it’s been languishing in various stages of production for several decades. But finally, “The Long Walk” has crossed the finish line under the stewardship of “Hunger Games” director Francis Lawrence. And the final result is one of the best King adaptations ever.
“The Long Walk” is a brutal dystopian thriller, presenting a world overseen by a ruthless totalitarian regime, and where adolescent hope is in such short supply that its cast of young men willingly volunteer for a death march marathon. The comparison between this and the wide-eyed optimism of “The Life of Chuck,” another King adaptation that landed in theatres over the summer, could not be more stark. Yet, for all its nihilism, “The Long Walk” is never anything less than utterly compelling and shows just enough heart to keep you marching on.
