Everest. A name that invokes majesty of nature and human accomplishment for those who have conquered it.
But human beings are not meant to survive at the cruising altitude of a 747. Some have made it. Some others, not so lucky. "Everest" is based on a true story, a 1996 expedition where eight climbers died, caught in a deadly blizzard on the descend down the 29,020-feet mountain. Unpredictable harsh weather and human errors make a fatal combination.
It's a big ensemble, so except for a few characters, you don't really get to know them and invest in them, which makes the movie far less impactful. It's often hard to tell who's who underneath the bulked-up mountain gears.
Best seen in IMAX 3-D, the movie takes full advantage of the format, showcasing the wondrous rock-and-ice covered landscape and extreme elements. Whipping winds and fierce snow flurries battering frail bodies. Sudden glacier movement putting lives at risk. You'll feel the freeze in the air and deterioration of the human condition. Unfortunate reality aside, it is a spectacle absolutely meant to be seen on the big screen.
DVD: http://tinyurl.com/everestvideo