Published 12/21/2022, 4:30 PM EST
Alex Honnold started his journey to being the world’s greatest free solo rock climber long before he did ‘Free Solo (2018)’. ‘Free Solo’ is a style of rock climbing where the climber does so without any ropes or harnesses. The documentary film charts Honnold’s climb in 2017 to the El Capitan in Yosemite, one of the steepest summits in the States. Being a professional, he also debunked myths about climbing that were perpetuated by Tom Cruise in one of his movies. Let’s find out about the myth.
ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad
In an interview with ‘GQ Sports’, Alex Honnold breaks down the various extreme climbing scenes in movies and television. One such was from Tom Cruise’s 2011 film, ‘Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol’ (4th in the franchise). Cruise, who famously does all his stunts in movies, did the climbing for this as well and the audience completely bought into it. Honnold shares crucial details about the climbing scene. Let’s learn more about it.
ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad
Alex Honnold separates fact from fiction in MI: Ghost Protocol skyscraper climbing scene
‘MI: Ghost Protocol’ has a famous scene that depicts Cruise climbing the Burj Khalifa, the tallest skyscraper in the world. The actor is shown doing so with his magnetic gloves that stick to the outer walls. Honnold immediately brushes it off as fiction. He says, “I feel very confident in saying that there is no such thing as magnetic gloves”.
Later on, we see Cruise’s gloves lose their magnetic property and he free solos the building with his bare hands. Honnold shares mixed feelings about the technique saying, “His hands are sticking to the wall which is unrealistic, but the way he is pushing his feet as counter pressure between the two beams is totally realistic”. Also, the gloves wouldn’t really jerk off as shown in the film; they would simply stop sticking.
DIVE DEEPER
“A Means to An End”: Fame Means Very Little to Extreme Sports Icon Alex Honnold
In the next scene, Cruise uses a laser beam to cut the glass and enter. The counterpressure he uses to balance himself, with his back on one side and his foot on the other, is a legitimate technique. Although it doesn’t work on the Burj. Honnold says, “In the Burj, it doesn’t work because the little chrome fins he is pushing against, one, they slope away from him and two, the dimensions don’t really work. They’re too small”.
Honnold, who has also charted the Burj Khalifa, puts it into perspective. “The experience that he is having right there where all you see is yourself, and the exposure behind you, actually is incredibly unnerving”, he says. This is because the exterior of the Burj Khalifa is made out of aluminum and mirrored glass with a vast desert landscape around it. So, the climber seeing his reflection amidst nothingness feels incredible.
ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad
How weather often plays spoilsport during climbing
The movie shows an incredible shot, where the Burj Khalifa dwarfs the other skyscrapers in the city. Honnold justifies it by saying, “Dubai has something like 50 of the tallest buildings in the world. But the Burj is so much taller than all the other buildings around, that they look like little toys below you”.
Ghost Protocol also famously involves a giant sandstorm, which is common in the desert city. Honnold, who has himself experienced similar predicaments, said, “It’s not that unusual to encounter weather issues when you are climbing”. In reality, however, the film fails in planning the timing of the climb, since a giant sandstorm would show up on forecasts.
ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad
WATCH THIS STORY – A Huge Shock For Surfing Fans Before Vans Pipeline From Kelly Slater and John John Florence
He concludes by saying that he loves the Mission Impossible movies and that has a 50-50 opinion on the climbing scenes in terms of their liberty with realism and usage of fiction. What did you think about that iconic scene and do you believe it is possible to climb the Burj Khalifa free solo?
“No Such Thing..”: Rock Climbing Legend Alex Honnold Debunked a Popular Myth Pushed by Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible
1 COMMENT
LEAVE A REPLY
- Advertisment - 
Recent Comments
on Iowa State starting RB Jirehl Brock among latest college football players charged in gambling probe
on The Rev. Al Sharpton to lead protest after Florida governor’s ban of African American studies course
on Sports World Hails ‘Superwoman’ Lindsey Vonn for Her Grand Comeback Despite Career-Changing Injury
on San Mateo County Community College District sues five companies over role in ‘pay to play’ scandal
on Saipan, placid island setting for Assange’s last battle, is briefly mobbed – and bemused by the fuss
on ‘Pokémon Scarlet’ and ‘Violet’ Fan Theories Suggest Legendary Time Travel, Alternate Dimension Plot
on Joe Manchin and Tommy Tuberville introduce bill on name, image and likeness rules for college sports
on Inside the Michael Jordan ‘Air’ movie, plus why NFL, others are buying into the sports film industry
on If you’re a frequent traveler, these wrap tops from Aday will revolutionize your on-the-go wardrobe
on How Does Jack Nicklaus Travel? Exploring the Private Jets Owned by the ‘Golden Bear’ Over the Years
on Hollywood Reporter: Tom Cruise negotiated with movie studios over AI before the actors strike began
on Ford Blue Cruise: US regulators investigate fatal crashes involving hands-free driving technology
on Dozens of boats cruise the Seine in a rehearsal for the Paris Olympics’ opening ceremony on July 26
on Devout athletes find strength in their faith. But practicing it and elite sports can pose hurdles
on Despite strong Lunar New Year holiday data, consumer spending in China isn’t roaring back just yet
on David and Victoria Beckham so ‘Charmed’ by Tom Cruise They Have His Photos on Display at Their Home
on CONCEPT ART: New Details Revealed for Disney Cruise Line Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point Destination
on CBS Sports announces Matt Ryan will join NFL studio show. Longtime analysts Simms and Esiason depart
on Boston College vs. Army live stream, how to watch online, CBS Sports Network channel finder, odds
on Boise State vs. Air Force live stream, odds, channel, prediction, how to watch on CBS Sports Network
on Biden to tout bill’s prescription drug prices, energy provisions in pitch to Americans, aide says
on After UFC Fallout, Conor McGregor Offers a Valuable Piece of Advice to Free Agent Francis Ngannou
on 2024 Super Bowl: CBS Sports Network and CBS Sports HQ to combine for 115 hours of weeklong coverage
on ‘Best Intention’: Chris Kirk Has Absolute Trust in Jay Monahan and PGA Tour’s Widely Debated Model
on 2023 NFL All-Rookie Team: CBS Sports draft expert, former GM unveil league’s best first-year players
on “Completely Knocked Me Out”: Rob Lowe Recalls Boxing Match With Tom Cruise On 1983 Brat Pack Classic
on CONCEPT ART: New Details Revealed for Disney Cruise Line Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point Destination
on “Completely Knocked Me Out”: Rob Lowe Recalls Boxing Match With Tom Cruise On 1983 Brat Pack Classic
on CBS Sports announces Matt Ryan will join NFL studio show. Longtime analysts Simms and Esiason depart
on Carlos Sainz’s Soccer Fanboy Emerges as Spaniard Shares Defining Moment With This Real Madrid Legend
on Biden: ‘At this point I’m not’ planning to visit East Palestine, Ohio, after toxic train derailment
on ‘Best Intention’: Chris Kirk Has Absolute Trust in Jay Monahan and PGA Tour’s Widely Debated Model
on Ahead of big sports weekend, dispute with Disney leaves millions of cable subscribers in the dark
on A heavy wave of Russian missile attacks pounds areas across Ukraine, killing at least 4 civilians
on 2024 Super Bowl: CBS Sports Network and CBS Sports HQ to combine for 115 hours of weeklong coverage
on 2023 NFL All-Rookie Team: CBS Sports draft expert, former GM unveil league’s best first-year players
on Army vs. Coastal Carolina live stream, how to watch online, CBS Sports Network channel finder, odds
on AL Rookie of the Year Julio Rodriguez Spreads Joy and Sportsmanship to the Youth of Loma de Cabrera
on After UFC Fallout, Conor McGregor Offers a Valuable Piece of Advice to Free Agent Francis Ngannou
on Dubai International Airport sees 41.6 million passengers in first half of year, more than in 2019
on Devout athletes find strength in their faith. But practicing it and elite sports can pose hurdles
on Despite strong Lunar New Year holiday data, consumer spending in China isn’t roaring back just yet
on Dave Portnoy: Taylor Swift’s security should ‘drag Kim Kardashian to jail’ if she attends Eras Tour
on CONCEPT ART: New Details Revealed for Disney Cruise Line Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point Destination
on “Completely Knocked Me Out”: Rob Lowe Recalls Boxing Match With Tom Cruise On 1983 Brat Pack Classic
on CBS Sports, Serie A announce new TV rights deal; Paramount+ to air over 400 Italian soccer matches
on Cam Newton’s Violent Public Incident Draws Hilarious Reaction From 3x All-Star: “Where Do I Sign Up
on Boston College vs. Army live stream, how to watch online, CBS Sports Network channel finder, odds
on Angel Reese Launches Foundation Dedicated To Empowering Women Through Sports & Financial Literacy
on A weaker dollar, skyrocketing prices and ‘record’ visitor numbers: Good luck in Europe this summer
I have been struggling with this issue for a while and your post has provided me with much-needed guidance and clarity Thank you so much