Kathmandu

A spectacular yet scary battle between man and nature, Everest depicts man’s attempt to survive the wrath of Mother Nature. Based on the real events of the 1996 Mount Everest disaster where several people died, Everest documents the journey of two different expeditions to Mt Everest — led by Rob Hall (Jason Clarke) and Scott Fischer (Jake Gyllenhaal) — and how that thrilling voyage turns into each climber’s struggle for survival.

A cast of fine actors comprise the climbers ascending the ‘dangerous’ Mt Everest — Texan Beck Weathers (Josh Brolin), mail man Doug Hansen (John Hawkes), journalist Jon Krakauer (Michael Kelly), Guy Cotter (Sam Worthington), among others. These climbers have come to ascend Mt Everest “because it is there” — an answer they give when Krakauer asks, ‘Why are you here to climb Everest?’

On their way from the Base Camp to the summit, they face different ordeals — men with snowy beards suffering from dizziness, snow blindness, hypothermia, lack of oxygen. As they make it to the top challenging these troubles, their happiness is evident and it infects you too. But the delight does not last, their descent turns out

to be life threatening as they face a fierce snowstorm.

The climbers’ survival struggles are thrilling to watch. One of the climber’s realisation that he will eventually die and the sudden fall of another climber leading to death may make many to turn their back on the mountains. The treatment of the tragic incident is realistic.

The characterisation however is weak — there are many characters with their own stories to tell  and you do not get to know about anyone better. Even then, the actors link the story well.

Clarke plays fascinating Rob and he appeals you as a level-headed, patient and loyal team leader. Though they lack much ability, their determination to accomplish their goals is well portrayed by both Brolin and Hawkes.

Surprisingly Gyllenhaal has a small role — whenever he appears as cool Scott Fisher but drunk most of the time, you want more. Emily Watson as Helen Wilton, one of the teams’ consultants, resembles a motherly figure for the climbers.

Nepali actor Vijay Lama appears in the role of Col Madan Lama flying the Nepal Army helicopter ‘into the thin air’ of Everest to rescue one of the climbers — he does his job and goes, and you get excited to see a Nepali actor in a Hollywood production!

But it seems to undermine the role of Sherpa climbers — there is no space for them despite their significant role during the ascent of every climber.

From filming the crowded Kathmandu city to Lukla airport and a suspension bridge to shooting the spectacular Everest, cinematographer Salvatore Totin deserves applauds. The jaw dropping scenes — from sharp and crisp sunrays falling on the peak to the snowstorm to the climbers all covered by snow and the beautiful mountain range, there is a lot to watch in the movie aided by 3D technology. The experience is further enhanced by apt sound design — the howling of wind, sounds of boots in snow — transport you to the world of Everest.

Everest

Genre: Adventure, Drama, Thriller

Director: Baltasar Kormákur

Cast: Jason Clarke, Jake

Gyllenhaal, Josh Brolin, John Hawkes, Sam Worthington, Emily Watson, Michael Kelly, Keira Knightley, Robin Wright, Vijay Lama et cetera

Being screened at

QFX Cinemas