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Everest: Review

Everest: Review

Starring: Jason Clarke, John Hawkes, Josh Brolin, Martin Henderson, Sam Worthington, Jake Gyllenhaal, Keira Knightley (Rated M – 121 min).

One who suffers from vertigo may want to avoid this film on a big cinema screen as the realistic mountaineering visuals on the face of the highest summit in the world will have you clutching onto the arm rest in sheer terror.

Adapted from the novel Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer, the film is a variable account on what happened on the fateful 1996 trek leading to the death of eight people after a storm-front and avalanche. An entertaining film but similar to Titanic, you know tragedy is not far away.

Australian actor Jason Clarke plays Kiwi climb leader Rob Hall who takes a group of international thrill seekers and outdoor devotees on a journey that will prove fatal to some. Established company Adventure Consultants was a popular destination for aspiring climbers but had plenty of competition, some professional some not so.

Big, visceral, heart stopping moments are amazing to watch, gasping at certain scenes may be unavoidable including when the bunch are instructed to crawl across rickety aluminum ladders above bottomless ice crevices. Thunderous clouds directly rolling towards them with nothing to hold onto is when things really start to go into panic mode. It’s no secret this has an extremely unhappy emotional ending.

Josh Brolin is impressive, however many of the all star cast are only bit players. Still important roles, Sam Worthington and Jake Gyllenhaal are sadly given little screen time. Fast rising Aussie thespian Clarke is the star coming off scorching roles in Rise of the Planet of the Apes and Terminator Genisys, his front foot is firmly planted in this role with a grandeur of confidence. There may not be a dry eye in the house during phone conversations with his pregnant partner back home.

Shane A. Bassett

Sydney Unleashed is one of Australia’s premier entertainment publications exploring the latest in lifestyle trends. From Sydney’s finest restaurants, cafes and bars to the hottest in gadgets, products, and home entertainment, Sydney Unleashed is your one-stop lifestyle platform.