Having climbed in the Andes, Tian Shan, St. Elias and other
mountain ranges across the planet, I was often asked what I
thought of this movie, and it's accuracy.
This is, without doubt, the least accurate film on climbing I have
ever seen. This movie is simply absurd. I consider it about as
"accurate" as, say, Spy Kids is to global espionage.
In addition to the gaffs pointed out, I wanted to state what was
most amusing to me: Inside the crevasse, the climbers ice tools
bounce off the crevasse walls like they're made out of solid steel
(and 'ping' just like it). But when Chris O'Donnall does his full
sprint (at altitude!) and huge leap across a cavernous abyss, he
drives his ice tools into the other side - made of solid rock - and
sticks like Spiderman. The film is filled with many other absurd
implausabilities that insult the sport it manipulates in the guise of
entertainment.
Aside from that, as so many others have noted, the movie is
simple minded action. If you don't mind laughing at much of it, and
don't for a moment think it represents realistic climbing, leave your
brain at the door and you might have some fun. But most people
will just find it absurd rubbish.
mountain ranges across the planet, I was often asked what I
thought of this movie, and it's accuracy.
This is, without doubt, the least accurate film on climbing I have
ever seen. This movie is simply absurd. I consider it about as
"accurate" as, say, Spy Kids is to global espionage.
In addition to the gaffs pointed out, I wanted to state what was
most amusing to me: Inside the crevasse, the climbers ice tools
bounce off the crevasse walls like they're made out of solid steel
(and 'ping' just like it). But when Chris O'Donnall does his full
sprint (at altitude!) and huge leap across a cavernous abyss, he
drives his ice tools into the other side - made of solid rock - and
sticks like Spiderman. The film is filled with many other absurd
implausabilities that insult the sport it manipulates in the guise of
entertainment.
Aside from that, as so many others have noted, the movie is
simple minded action. If you don't mind laughing at much of it, and
don't for a moment think it represents realistic climbing, leave your
brain at the door and you might have some fun. But most people
will just find it absurd rubbish.