Everest

While Everest does remind me a lot of the 1992 film K2; I couldn't help but be compelled by the film through-out. The cast is stellar and if you don't the story it's based on; it has you at the edge of your seat. The film is engaging but also heartbreaking at times. Of course there's fine work by Jason Clarke, Jake Gyllenhaal and Josh Brolin. It's Sam Worthington who surprised me though with probably the best work of his career.

Even though the film is based on a tragic true story, this is surprisingly uninvolving despite the strong cast involved. There is little here beyond a somewhat formulaic script that seems determined to hit all too-familiar notes and robs the film of any real tension or emotional connection with the characters. Only Brolin and Clarke's characters are given enough development within the film to make you care about them beyond the obvious sympathy for the real people who were involved. Fortunately the film does highlight both the beauty and danger of the environment in which the climbers are working and as they reach the summit, the final hour is a gripping realization of the gradual unease of the characters as weather conditions worsen and the harsh and unforgiving nature of the storm they found themselves in. It is a shame the film offers so little insight into these characters beforehand.