I used to like the thought of a perfect snow storm, since we have never got to experience it in Kenya. I have also always loved the idea of mountain climbing, but combine the two together, add insanely high altitudes and inhumane conditions, and you get an event not worth experiencing. It is definitely not worth experiencing by choice.
The movie Everest is based on the true story that takes place in 1996, a few years after expeditions became commercialized on Everest, with professionals and non-professionals alike scaling the summit. Rob Hall, the main character, (Jason Clarke) owns a company called Adventure Consultants take a bunch of people up the summit every year.
During this season there is a competition between different mountaineering companies to see which one can get to the top and back before the other. On this fateful trip, his group consisted of Guy Cotter (Sam Wothington), a guide and friend of Hall’s; John Krakauer (Michael Kelly), a journalist writing a feature about such expeditions; Beck Weathers (Josh Brolin), a gung ho Texan pathologist; Yasuko Namba (Naoko Mori), an experienced climber who had already reached six of the seven highest peaks in the world; Doug Hansen (John Hawkes), a mail man who narrowly failed to make the summit a year previous, and a pair of Sherpa guides.
At first the group has to go through a training program for a few months when they begin climbing the mountain. You learn a lot about who they are as people, their different personalities, and even try to figure out why they would willingly put themselves through the deathly experience.
At one point when they are all sitting down together having a deep conversation John Krakauer, the reporter asks the question, “Why would you willingly put yourself through this?” There seems to be a few minutes of silence as everyone tried to figure out an appropriate answer to the question. My favourite response was from Doug Hansen. He said,
“I want to do this because I want to prove to that a normal guy can achieve the anything he sets his mind to.”
As the movie starts, you expect it to be a dangerous trip, but because of the connections the individuals’ lives imprint on you nothing prepares you for what is coming ahead. The mountaineers press on, only to be battered by a blizzard that ruins visibility, and hit by unexpected avalanches that make the climb even more precarious.
We’re told that human beings aren’t designed to function at that height – equivalent to the cruising altitude of a 747 – and we see evidence of that as the struggle becomes deadly serious, and yet those that can continue upwards.
It is an intense struggle between life and death that captivates more than your attention, and leaves you enthralled.
Because it is based on a true story, it personally was kind of depressing knowing that what happened to the people actually happened in real life. What I did like was the fact that they showed us pictures of the actual people who went on the trip after the movie was over. The movie had excellent production, and especially when seen in 3D was very realistic. This movie honestly made me cry and had me connected to the story line. I also decided I will never even entertain the thought of climbing Mt. Everest, and would not recommend it to anyone who would.
Rating: PG-13 (for intense peril and disturbing images)
Genre: Drama, Action & Adventure, Mystery & Suspense
Directed By: Baltasar Kormákur
Written By: Justin Isbell, Lem Dobbs
Stars: Jason Clarke, Ang Phula Sherpa, Thomas M. Wright
Runtime: 2 hr. 1 min.
Universal Pictures
Everest is showing at Planet Media Cinemas at Westgate, Prestige and Kisumu. Nakumatt Prestige Plaza offers crazy amazing deals. You can watch the movies for as low as Ksh. 300 every morning Monday to Thursday. Every Tuesday you can watch it for Ksh. 300 for 2D and Ksh. 400 for 3D. On Wednesday couples can watch movies at Ksh. 400 per couple 2D or Ksh. 500 per couple for a 4D movie (strictly for couples). For Monday madness get your ticket + soda or water + Popcorn+ Hotdog or KitKat for only Ksh. 600 only.
Watch The Everest at Planet Media at Prestige Plaza Ngong road. We are giving away two tickets to watch this movie at Prestige Plaza. All you have to do is tell why you would want to watch Everest in the comments section.
I will be giving out the tickets on Tuesday morning. PS. The Movie can only be watched from Friday the 25th.