Everest Movie Review

Everest is the latest film by director Baltasar Kormákur ( '2Guns'). The movie is based on a true story and centers around two expedition teams on their final ascent toward the summit of Mount Everest. As any moviegoer would expect, not everything goes according to plan...

The movie isn't notably experimental but it also isn't just trying to be a thrilling experience to look at, in awe. It takes out time to show the characters at base camp, just talking and having a nice time. This DOES help build the sense of teamwork within these people, but no individual character (or duo) is prominent enough. That's not to say that the actors don't do a good job.
In fact, all the performances in the film are top-level. Everyone gave their best. That's something worth noting as actors and directors tend not to focus on that aspect when the film is more picturesque and quaint.

Jason Clarke plays one of the team leaders and he does that really well(we've seen him do something very similar in Dawn of The Planet of The Apes). Josh Brolin and Jake Gyllenhaal are in this movie as well. The latter not having enough of a story arc or screen time for my satisfaction. Brolin plays his character sincerely. The script, however, isn't that impressive. The narrative structure is pretty straightforward. Moreover, none of the character relationships that the movie implies exist ever really blossom. So when conflicts do arise, you don't root for anyone. You just watch the mayhem ensue.

Everest simply lacks direction. Yes, it's trying to tell the story of these people. But that's not enough. "Why do you want to do this?" asks one of them. Noone really has a definitive answer.

It IS a well shot movie nonetheless. At the expense of sounding cliched, I'll say this-- The movie really puts you there.On Mount Everest. Not once did I notice the green screen in the background. To the director's credit, maybe it WAS visible. Maybe I was just that much into the scene during those moments.Particular scenes involving a strong blizzard surprised me with how well it was captured.

That LOOKS like it was shot on location. Props to those involved in creating that ambience.

Another complaint I have is the way some of the characters' deaths are handled. The audience never really formed an emotional bond with these people,so when they build up so much to the "climactic" scenes, it never really hits home.
(No.That isn't a spoiler. You know not everyone is going to make it back. A.Because it's a movie. B. IT'S BASED ON A TRUE STORY.)

In the film's defense, I did get what I went in expecting and what the film marketed itself to be. A pleasant visual spectacle with a great cast and surprisingly gripping moments. Everest is a touching story. It's just told in an ordinary fashion. The film ended with me feeling like I should've cared more about these people.
I did however, have a good time watching it. I would recommend it only if you don't mind simply enjoying what the filmmaker has created and ignore all the ways it could've been a better movie.

So have you seen this movie? What did you think about it? Comment below.