This is a powerful film. The crash scene is within minutes of the beginning titles and is one of the most effective, gut wrenching things every filmed. The story is handled well, and the film does not make the story mellodramatic. Neither does Frank Marshall exploit his R rating by filling the film with nudity and countless F-words, as many films today do. You need to see this film, you won't regret it,

With subject matter like the 1972 crash in the Andes, how could the film not be raw and compelling? Surprising, though, is the quality of depth this movie portrays without taking itself too seriously. There are light moments -- Carlitos' birthdays and the picture of the little girl & cake -- but the real strengths of the film are the subtle nuances brought to life by delicate character-actor performances. Inspiring, entertaining, educational, delightful . . . Alive is the first movie I bought on DVD, and for good reason -- I love it.

ALIVE is a gripping tour de force that focuses on the remarkable durability of the human spirit. Avoiding sentimentality and maudlinism, and focusing on the terrible dilemma the survivors face catapults the movie into a masterpiece of hope, defeat, unimaginable odds and faith. The cannibalism is treated with remarkable dignity, and there are several emotional scenes that leave you drained.
The cast is very good with Josh Hamilton, John Haymes Newton and of course Ethan Hawke standing out. The entire cast however deserves credit for their team performance. John Malkovich's prologue and epilogue are handled very well too. Malkovich has a smooth and hypnotizing voice and behind the smoke from the interviewer's cigarette, he gives us bookend thoughts.
A truly remarkable story but even more remarkable is the courage it took to survive.

Solid movie. For fans of the book however, this picture does not come close to evoking the emotions felt in type. A much better job could have been done, not by the actors, but by the director, in capturing the sheer weight of the undertaking, and especially the expedition. I did not have the overwhelming feeling of accomplishment at the end that I did when reading.
The ending is true to the text, but glossy and rushed.

Uplifting, to be sure, but yet another example of missed opportunity in turning an incredible book into a so-so film.
Three stars.

Frank Marshall's celluloid recreation of Andes tragedy and the stupendous will of the survivors is intensely gripping and moving. As one of the reviewers remarked that if one wants to see a demonstration of human will and spirit, just watch this movie. I watched this movie on HBO and during the entire length was absolutely seized by it. I kind of felt myself going through the horrendous ordeal and was crying uncontrollably in second half. I was so stricken and moved by the tremendous ordeal(there's no stronger word than this)my heart pleaded for their rescue every second of the movie. Kudos to Frank Marshall for managing to create such a masterpiece....few movies manage to seize viewers....this belongs to that elite category.

The cast is uniformly excellent in performances and special praise for the Latino looking guy and Eathen Hawke. Cinematography is absolutely stunning right from the plane crash, avalanches, majestic sunrises to seatsledge rides.Watching the movie was so emotionally stirring and I wonder how the real survivors managed to stay alive under horrific odds. Truly a tale of indestructible human spirit, strength of will to survive, courage to face the meanest of hardships.

The basic plot is explained by other reviewers so I won't go into it. Please, please watch it and marvel at the strength of human Spirit. Hope Frank Marshall makes more such movies.