Everest Movie Review (Spoiler Free)

Everest is a disaster drama based on true events, depicting the 1996 Mount Everest disaster that claimed the lives of several climbers.

Genre: Adventure / Drama / Disaster

Director: Baltasar Kormákur 

Cast: Jason Clarke, Josh Brolin, John Hawkes, Jake Gyllenhaal, Robin Wright, Emily Watson, Keira Knightley, Martin Henderson, Michael Kelly & Sam Worthington

Run Time: 121 min.

US Release: 25 September 2015

UK Release: 18 September 2015

German Release: 17 September 2015

I had been looking forward to this drama ever since I saw the first trailer earlier this year. Not only am I a fan of true-event premises, but I have always been fascinated by mountaineering and, in particular, Mount Everest. So, when I heard they were making this movie, I couldn’t wait to see the final product on the silver screen. It also stars an array of impressive big-name actors, including Jason Clarke, Josh Brolin and Jake Gyllenhaal. Not only is the film beautifully shot, but it also captures the preparation for the climb in a truly engaging way.

The screenplay was written by Simon Beaufoy, the writer of 27 Hours, and William Nicholson (Les Misérables), with direction by Icelandic filmmaker Baltasar Kormákur (2 Guns and Contraband). The combination of writers, cast, as well as director chosen by the studio, left me unsure of what to expect from this production. In the end, it managed to impress me both visually and narratively. 

Based on the real-life disaster of 1996, the plot revolves around the founder of Adventure Consultants, Rob Hall (Clarke), as he prepares an expedition to the summit of Mount Everest. Among the eight clients he will guide to the peak of the world’s tallest mountain are Beck Weathers (Brolin), Doug Hansen (Hawkes), Yasuko Namba (Naoko Mori) and reporter Jon Krakauer (Michael Kelly). Meanwhile, competitor guide Scott Fischer and his company Mountain Madness, establish camp at Everest Base Camp and plan to reach the summit on the very same day.

Both expeditions begin their ascend on the morning of May 10th, but when an unexpected storm strikes, they are forced to work together in order to survive. With Oxygen supplies running low and temperatures dropping to an ultimate low, their chances of survival become increasingly slim.

What I admired most about this disaster flick was the authentic portrayal of the climbers, as well as the attention to detail given to both the equipment and the harsh environment. Baltasar Kormakur does an excellent visual job at distinguishing the different levels of experience between the amateur mountaineers and their seasoned guides. I was also impressed by how naturally the director depicted the weeks of acclimatisation training leading up to the ascent. At no point did I ever feel bored. 

I also appreciated the way the narrative was handled, especially since the terible earthquake in Nepal early this year made the subject particularly sensitive. Even so, approached the events of 10 May 1996 with great respect, staying remarkably faithful to what happened. Another aspect I really admired was how the film emphasises that nature posseses a will of its own and can’t be conquered by mankind.

Although the premise occasionally relies on familoiar disaster-movie clichés, they never distract from what is ultimately one of the strongest biographical survival dramas in recent years. 

The performances are excellent across the board. However, due to the vast size of the ensemble, I’ll  focus only on those who stood out the most. Therefore, I won’t be discussing Gyllenhaal’s performance, as his role simply isn’t big enough to leave a lasting impression.

Jason Clarke as the lead actor in this disaster flick, is simply brilliant. Hall was an incredible experienced mountaineer, who had succesfully summited Everest on several ocassions. He consistently motivates and encourages his clients, pushing them beyond their limits in pursuit of what seemsimpossible. Clarke captures Rob Hall’s spirit beautifully, particularly during the emotionally devastating second half.

Josh Brolin’s character was easily my second favourite after Clarke’s. I wasn’t sure about the persona of Beck Weathers; Initially, he comes of as arrogant and self-obsessed, but the more the story unfolds, the more layers are revealed. Underneath that confident exteriror is a scared man who struggles with his marriage and family life, making him far more sympathetic than he first appears.

Sam Worthington also shines in this feature. In fact, I often think he excels when playing supporting roles rather than leading a film. Emily Watson is equally impressive as base camp manager Helen Wilton.

The cinematography in Everest is breathtaking, making excellent use of extensive panoramic shots that convey the sheer scale of the mountain. Several cliffside sequences and lingering shots into drops genuinly unsettled me a little triggering my own fear of heights. Rather than focusing on one protagonist, the camera frequently frames the climbers together, allowing the audience to experience the camaraderie that develops among these strangers over the course of their expedition.

The colour palette used is equally stunning. There were moments when I felt cold while watching specific scenes, shivering while seeing the snow-covered peak. During other times, I found myself exhausted simply witnessing the climbers struggle to reach the summit.

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Verdict: Everest certainly did not disappoint. Komakur respectfully recreats the tragic events of the 1996 mountain-climbing disaster, while the entire cast delivers believable portrayals of the real people involved. The visual effects and cinematography are exceptional, in particular the sweeping panoramic shots of Mount Everest itself. I can, in all honestly, recommend expiriencing flick in an IMAX theatre, and will give this adventure-survival drama a weel-earned 8.0 out of 10.

Did you see Everest? If so, what did you think? My next review tomorrow will be of Blade Runner - The Final Cut as part of my Ridley Scott sci-fi review series.