Run time: 121 min
The story of Everest follows two groups of climbers who
dared to scale the 5½ miles of the tallest mountain in the world. Their
audacious endeavor is made even more perilous when a massive storm catches the
mountaineers off guard at Everest’s peak. The drama film accompanies the group
as they fight to survive in the harshest place on Earth. Perhaps the most
heart-rending part of all is that their story is a true one.
Overall, I came out of the theater feeling pretty neutral
about the movie. There were many aspects that I liked, but there were also a
lot of moments where I found myself critiquing things. One of the biggest
issues that I have with the movie is the choppy style. Even though the story is
so undeniably tragic, the entire film feels like a disjointed documentary and I
think this drains a lot of emotion out of it. Certain parts of the movie also
become muddled simply because it’s so hard to differentiate between all the characters.
With all the beards, oxygen masks, and billowing snow, it’s next to impossible
to sort out what is happening to whom.
One of the best things the movie has going for it is the
phenomenal cast, including Jason Clarke, Josh Brolin, Jake Gyllenhaal, Keira
Knightley and Emily Watson. Each portrayal is completely believable, and the
only downside is that the meager backstories make it hard for the audience to
really get attached to the characters. Another thing that stood out in Everest
is (of course) the mountain. The austere visuals of Everest – the rocky peaks,
the blinding snow, the gaping crevasses – make it feel as though you are
actually standing with the team of climbers. The sheer presence of the mountain
is so domineering that it’s easy to forget the battle is one of man versus
nature. Instead, it feels as though the characters are combating with a
physical adversary and, as one climber ominously states, “The last word always
belongs to the mountain.”
All in all, the movie is worth the watch, especially
considering it’s based on true events, but it’s definitely not for the
faint-of-heart. Between frostbitten fingers and more than one on-screen death,
Everest leaves no cheery mood in its wake.
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