WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
First, the Recap:
The adrenaline rush. Sought after by thrill seekers from around the world, it is that heightened sensation we experience as human beings when confronting and taking on daunting tasks and daring deeds that very well could mean imminent danger to our person. This is especially true when it comes to those that wish to make the attempts to face nature herself and aim to conquer, no matter what the risks may be, based on previous successes in doing so. For the leader of Adventure Consultants, Rob Hall (Jason Clarke), guiding a team of clients to the summit of Mt. Everest successfully is paramount for his business, and choosing to once again tackle the monstrous peak becomes a reality.
Leaving behind his always concerned wife, Jan (Kiera Knightley), Hall gathers his new clients and they all head off to challenge. Once at the established base camp, the camp manager Helen (Emily Watson), assists in helping the climbers acclimate and soon, the adventure begins. Each having to deal with their own limitations, Hall’s group in tandem with another cadre of clients lead by Scott Fischer (Jake Gyllenhaal) from rival company Mountain Madness, confidently stride forth to attain their goal. As initial bouts with hypoxia cause some to turn back, the intrepid few press on, driven by the desire to achieve a goal that so few will ever experience.
But nature has its own rules, and when unforeseen delays cause Hall and several others to face a raging mountain storm, survival becomes the only goal in sight.
Next, my Mind:
There have been other films covering the perils of the goliath known as Everest, most being documentaries, and those alone really have done nothing to convince this reviewer trying to climb the mountain would ever be a smart option. Director Baltasar Kormakur’s newest effort doesn’t assist in assuaging these hesitations. Painting the, admittedly, gorgeous setting of Everest’s landscapes visually while simultaneously presenting the harsh, sobering realities of what dangers await those who attempt this journey, the film truly illustrates that for all the rush of adventure climbing Everest may provide, it still begs the question “Is it REALLY worth one’s life to try and achieve it?” For many on this 1996 expedition, the choice cost dearly.
Excellent character actor Jason Clarke does admirably here, portraying Hall as the rugged, confident adventurer that he was, driven by the need to conquer Everest and be the one to allow others under his care to do the same, yet never at the intentional compromise of anyone’s safety. A supporting cast boasting a who’s who of other character actors including Josh Brolin, John Hawkes, Sam Worthington, Gyllenhaal, Watson, Michael Kelly, and Robin Wright rounds things out well. As hinted above, the cinematography is spectacular, the harrowing conditions potently realistic, and the realization that this is what has occurred on Everest unabashedly driven home.
In total, “Everest” shows us that as human beings, we desire to believe we can do anything, and while amazing achievement is commendable, one still sees the results here and wonders about the validity of having to discover one’s own limitations in such a radical, and sometimes fatal, way.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
