EVEREST: ICE COLD STRUGGLE

With temps dropping down in the Midwest here lately it would seem the best possible movie to watch would not be one that takes place in one of the coldest locations that man chooses to visit. Then again maybe it adds to the viewing experience.

EVEREST tells the tragic story of the 1996 Everest disaster that took place on Mount Everest. The snow covered mountain has been the focus of explorers and mountain climbers for centuries. That only 240 out of thousands that have climbed this mountain have died over the years is amazing. Why anyone would choose to do so is something that still mystifies me.

The movie itself focuses on one group’s trip to that elusive peak, the top of Mount Everest. Led by experienced climber Rob Hall (Jason Clark) whose tour company takes on climbers at $65,000 each. The reality of what it is to climb Everest is not left to doubt for any and all who choose to go. Hall not only spells out for each and every member the dangers they are to face, he takes as many safety precautions as possible for those going on the trip.

The first of these is to bond the group together, to form a team and to get them ready physically for the trip. He does this in a subtle manner by having them climb to the base camp together. This not only has them join one another for the trip but helps to develop them physically as well as adjust them to the limited oxygen at the high altitudes.

Within the group going up are two members the film tends to focus on. One is a pathologist from Texas named Beck Weathers (Josh Brolin) and the other is Doug Hensen, one of the few men who isn’t independently wealthy. Beck is making this his last climb, facing the ire of his wife at home who has told him if he goes she might not be there when he returns. Doug, a postal worker, has a special goal in mind. Students at an elementary school sold T-shirts to help him raise the funds to go and have given him a school flag to plant at the peak.

The group reaches base camp and prepares to climb. But things have changed in the last few years. With each successful climb, more and more climbers are making the attempt. At the same time there is an increase in businesses like that owned by Hall willing to take them up. Not all are as cautious as Hall’s but all see easy money in handling those with the cash to go.

As preparations are made Hall has an uneasy feeling about this trip. Too many variables make it seem like the timing and conditions are off. He approaches fellow climber and entrepreneur Scott Fischer (Jake Gyllenhaal) to join forces on this expedition, to watch out for one another. They agree and are soon on their way.

But as this is a movie based on history we are already aware of what will happen. Tragedy will follow. If you aren’t aware of just what happens it will be a surprise. But the feeling of something going wrong is there from the start. Just what happens and to who makes for a movie that offers some suspense and plenty of concern.

That being said for me the movie offers a number of technically well-made moments but didn’t build up the comradery between the members of the team as deeply as I would have liked. Yes it’s there, the caring of one person for another, but not to the extent that I would have liked in a movie of this nature. For me the emotions between all members as opposed to just a few was as cold as the landscape the movie takes place in.

There isn’t a bad performance to be found here. Clark especially takes hold of the central character and makes him one you can root for. The photography not only makes the location breathtaking in relation to what we are looking at but captures the depth of coldness in the land as well. It seeps through every scenes and every pore of the viewer while watching.

The movie is definitely worth watching at least once. It’s difficult to say it’s entertaining considering what happened on that day. It will hold your interest. As for repeat viewings I’m not sure if most will want to do so. But tragedies often has that effect when movies are made about them.

Click here to order.