A no nonsense retelling of the 1996 Mt. Everest Disaster - ***1/2

Shot in 2013 and subsequently released in 2015, this film directed by Icelandic director Baltasar Kormakur does not pull out to anything but telling the story.  Though there is absolutely nothing wrong with a less stylish method of telling a story, this film decided to keep it as real as possible because it is really based on actual events.

By 1996, coming up to the peak of Mt. Everest has become a business that caters to amateur mountain climbers.  This movie is about that particular expedition in 1996 when there were actually 4 expeditions happening at the same time.  Too many mountaineers and the blizzard that happened on that day in May summarized the disaster that befell the mountaineers who never came back.

Movie starts of really well with some well photographed scenes of Nepal and Mt. Everest.  Then you are given a clinical description of the hazards of  being in high altitudes after realizing how many actors are involved in this film.  It becomes a little overwhelming. Then the story really unfolds and you totally know what is going to happen and you are just waiting for shit to hit the fan so to speak.  But then somehow due to the film's lack of flair and drama you become a little uninterested and detached, then disaster really comes to the story then it becomes a little difficult to watch and you are just there wishing for the ordeal to be over.

This film boasts of a strong ensemble cast led by Jason Clarke whose character is the strength that fuels the story.  Adding color and some vibrancy to this movie are the presence of  Josh Brolin and Jake Gyllenhaal.  And not to mention the contributions of  Emily Watson, Keira Knightly and Robin Wright providing the much needed drama and human touch to this almost documentary style of a movie.

Though this movie does present itself as is, there are some relevant messages that can come up after watching this movie.  Mostly I think it is about how much we are willing to go to fulfill our own dreams may it be to have a successful business or climbing the highest mountain.