by Jon Partridge
Last week, David selected Meru as our Pick of the Week, highlighting the idea of exclusivity, driving people to tackle dangerous feats just to satisfy a sense of adventure and desire to make a mark. New on Blu-ray this week is something of a companion piece, a film based on a true story that tells of ill-fated expeditions that attempted to conquer Everest back in 1996.
In the decades that followed Hillary and Norgay’s first ascent of Everest in 1953, access to the peak became more established and eventually commercially exploited, with mountaineers beginning operations to get those with the determination (and money) to the top. In 1996, Rob Hall, operator of Adventure Consultants, took a team made up of Texan Beck Weathers (Josh Brolin), renowned Japanese climber Yasuko Namba (Naoko Mori), friend and postal worker Doug Hansen (John Hawkes), and journalist Jon Krakauer (Michael Kelly). Joined by fellow guides Scott Fischer (Jake Gyllenhaal) and Guy Cotter (Sam Worthington) with teams of their own, they converge on the peak just as a massive storm comes in ahead of schedule that poses a risk to even the most experienced of their number.
The disaster movie is a Hollywood staple now: man vs. nature, the former getting whupped on a massive scale by the latter with the plucky few enduring through the tragedy. These films are mashups of impressive/terrifying visuals and cliched storytelling. It’s become easy to forget that many of these tales stem from more harrowing real life tales, so it’s always welcome when a film comes out to remind you. Everest is one such film, showcasing breathtaking visuals (literally) and never failing to underline how dangerous the trek is, laying out the hazards of frostbite and oxygen deprivation. The reality of the situation is made clear, but it never never loses focus of what really drives the story, the human element. Inspiring and uplifting in parts but never overly sentimental, the film attains a commendable level of authenticity.
Director Baltasar Kormákur handles the story in a very deft way, blending the human and nature elements of the film to maximum effect. This is aided by an impressively assembled cast including some very recognizable names — Clarke, Hawkes, Brolin, Wright, Watson to highlight just a few — each offering very genuine and fully realized characters to draw you deeper into the tale. Everyone does absolutely sterling work; even Sam Worthington manages not to spoil it. One of the more moving moments in the film comes from watching Keira Knightly, playing Rob Hall’s wife, making a phone call to her trapped husband, thousands of miles away from the imposing sights of Everest. It’s a testament to the writing and cast that moments like these are as, if not more, memorable than some of the scenes that rely more on special effects.
The film does feel a little cold in parts (pardon the pun), but the slow build up, investing in the looming ascent and the characters attempting it, pays off in the back half and brutal finale. It never gets overly sentimental, allowing the real story to do the work; it respects the people and the mountain. Perhaps the real weak link in the film is that it doesn’t really convey a greater understanding of the motivations behind these people who sought out such extraordinary danger. As such, people’s connection with the film will vary. Empathy is difficult without understanding, and despite the various different characters represented, some more agreeable than others, the stronger emotional chords are struck when their loved ones come into the picture, victims of the tragedy who didn’t put themselves in harm’s way.
THE PACKAGEEverest is a stunning film. The crisp white mountains dominate with occasional flourishes of color at base-camp or as the film switches focus to the family members of the climbers around the world. All are showcased beautifully in this release with sharp detail and textures and deep colors.
Everest includes a Blu-ray, DVD, and 3D copy of the film as well as a UV/iTunes digital copy. There is an audio commentary from director Baltasar Kormákur in which he remarks on many of the technical aspects of the shoot as well as some more emotional stories about the events and people from 1996 that informed the film. Featurettes include Race to the Summit: The Making of Everest, an overall look behind the scenes, location work, story, cast, etc.; Learning to Climb, which looks more at the issues for cast and crew filming on location, and A Mountain of Work, which details the sound-stage and digital effects that went into realizing Everest for the film. Finishing things off is Aspiring to Authenticity: The Real Story, which features interviews with cast, crew, survivors, and the family of those who lost their lives remarking on what the film set out to do and honor what happened. It’s a very well stuffed release.
THE BOTTOM LINEEverest sets itself apart from your traditional “disaster movie” by truly embracing the human element. The need for adventure and the need to survive drove those people to the mountain back in 1996, and that spirit is remembered and respected here. A quality transfer shows off what is a visually stunning film, together with a wealth of extras makes this a quality release.
Everest is available on DVD & Blu-ray from January 19th, 2016.