Everest Review
RYAN: This is a new IMAX 3D dramatization of the true events in 1996 where a group of climbers set out to conquer Mount Everest with devastating results. Many expeditions make it, others do not and this is one that’s sort of 50/50. Disaster strikes and that was it. Overall, it’s very sad and you walk out feeling depressed. I kept thinking, who would want to do this when it’s so dangerous?!
ERIK: It’s interesting. The first half of the movie makes you care about these climbers but they also do a good job romanticizing the experience and ambition of climbing. There’s a brotherhood and sisterhood, some healthy competition. The base camp seems fun and then the second half totally erases that.
RYAN: But a lot of what went wrong was out of their control. If the weather had cooperated, things might have turned out differently. It all looks so real. They actually shot at the Everest Base Camp and then other parts were on a soundstage and in Italy. But you cannot tell what’s real or recreated – everything looks so believable.
ERIK: Absolutely – it all looks very impressive and real. One particular shot shows a character looking into the face of a storm and it’s very powerful. You can’t tell what’s an effect. You feel the majesty of nature.
RYAN: And there’s a different kind of suspense in this film. I didn’t know the story of this team but they make you care about them by meeting some family members back home and the base team. The cast is great – you have Josh Brolin, Keira Knightley, Emily Watson, Jake Gyllenhaal in a real mountain man role, Jason Clarke, Robin Wright…
ERIK: And John Hawkes who is so good he should be in more movies. He’s great.
RYAN: I love how believable it all is. And the 3D is so good. I recommend the IMAX 3D.
ERIK: Absolutely. If you’re going to see it at all, it’s worth the extra price.
RYAN: It’s like Titanic with a mountain. The story goes along and then three quarters of the way through, it hits the proverbial iceberg.
ERIK: It had the cadence of a documentary but sometimes the wives back home feel a bit forced and we feel the pain regardless.
RYAN: I liked them though. All the accents were very good. Keira can pull off New Zealand.
ERIK: Very convincing.
RYAN: The quality in the details is all very good – you just have to brace yourself for a downer.
ERIK: It’s an experience movie.
RYAN: The suspense in this is different. It’s not so much edge of your seat as it is holding your breath. It’s Mount Everest – the IMAX version is necessary. You’re put in this movie with the technology – the size, the sound the depth.
