It’s never surprising that Danny Boyle can make a terrific movie (just think of Trainspotting, Millions, and Slumdog Millionaire), and it’s not surprising that James Franco can play a physically and emotionally challenging role.

What did take me a bit off-guard is how compelling this story is with excellent pacing.  I was worried because, after all, most of the film unfolds with Franco’s character alone in a canyon with his arm pinned beneath a boulder for – yes – 127 hours.

This film is a lot better than I expected it to be.