Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Everest


DIRECTOR:  Baltasar Kormakur  LEAD CAST: Jason Clarke, Josh Brolin, John Hawkes, Robin Wright, Emily Watson, Keira Knightley, Sam Worthington, Jake Gyllenhaal  SCREENWRITER: William Nicholson & Simon Beaufoy  PRODUCER:  Tim Bevan & Eric Fellner  EDITOR: Mick Audsley  MUSICAL DIRECTOR:  Dario Marianelli  GENRE: Adventure/Drama/Thriller  CINEMATOGRAPHER:  Salvatore Totino  DISTRIBUTOR: Universal Pictures  LOCATION:  UK, USA, Iceland  RUNNING TIME:  121 minutes
Technical assessment: 3.5
Moral assessment:  3.5
CINEMA rating: V14
          A story based on what actually transpired in 1996 expedition which claimed the lives of eight mountain climbers, Everest backs up that information as it presents two rival teams, led by Rob (Jason Clark) and Scott (Jake Gyllenhaal), who attempt to reach the top of the world's highest mountain—Mt. Everest. Their caliber is challenged by the hostile environment of the mountain: the snowslides, the missing guide posts, the zero visibility and worst of all, the raging snowstorms which swoop down the climbers as they are nearing the peak of the mountain and back again on their way down. 
            Everest is based on a true story involving seasoned climbers who met their respective fate while climbing Mt. Everest. At the level of information, the film has successfully portrayed the events on that fateful mountain trek, but it falls short of capturing the level of emotions to inject  drama or excitement to the film.  For instance, the scene of reaching the summit is not given much weight to convey the climbers’ jubilation and great relief after all the hardships overcome.  (Or is the film saying that the mountaineers were just too weary and breathless to celebrate?)  Nevertheless, efforts are seen in acting and characterization particularly that of Brolin and Gyllenhaal.  The constant use of close-up shots captures details and helps in carrying out the theme of individual struggle and survival. The production design is commendable and provides a credible picture of the freezing trek and camp sites.  Except for minor gray areas in the plot development, the film is educational and has very good technical qualities, especially the cinematography which does justice to the awe-inspiring scenery—the magnificent mountains against which man appears insignificant, like ants.
             Everest depicts positive values that movie viewers can reflect on.  More than climbing the earth’s highest mountain, the film is about individual dreams, personal satisfaction, family, teamwork, heroism, and sacrifice. Mountain climbers (whether amateur or professional) find a different sense of joy and self-actualization in pursuing this perilous activity.  For them conquering every peak means realizing a dream not only for themselves but also for their families and loved ones.  The film shows the family as inspiration and motivation for a person to keep going despite life’s adversaries and difficult situations, while the families are supportive of the climbers, too. Regardless of their religious beliefs, the climbers observed tradition by offering prayers at the temple and entrusted their activity to the supreme spirit.  Also, in spite of the competition between the two accredited guides, they are able to work as a team when called for to save and protect lives.  Leaders are not afraid to sacrifice and set aside the self in helping others.  In real life, the heroic acts of Rob Hall and company are remembered and are now part of the history of the world’s highest peak.