RELEASED TO TV IN 2013 and directed by Marko Mäkilaakso, "Deadly Descent: The Abominable Snowman" (aka "Abominable Snowman") details events in the Washington Cascades after someone goes missing on Mount Glacier (Chuck Campbell) and his concerned sister (Lauren O'Neil) amasses a team to rescue him, utilizing the services of an alcoholic helicopter pilot (Adrian Paul). Unfortunately, their rescue effort is hindered by a couple of hulking, hairy beasts.
Being a TV movie that debuted on Syfy, you can expect cartoony CGI, not just for the ferocious creatures but other things as well (e.g. the helicopter and explosions). If you can handle that, this is a decent entry in the Big Foot/Yeti genre. The tone is serious, akin to "Sasquatch Hunters" (2005) and "Sasquatch Mountain" (2006), albeit taking place almost entirely on the peaks during winter. While it's not quite as good as those two, it's not far off.
The notable score has a reverent quality and Lauren O'Neil shines as the female protagonist. The director doesn't fail to respectfully highlight her beauty. The mountain scenery is magnificent and there's quite a bit of thrilling ski & snowboarding sequences. The second act has the protagonists held up in an abandoned ski lodge on the heights.
The creatures, by the way, are never referred to as Yeti or the Abominable Snowman in the movie. The original title of the flick was "Deadly Descent" and the whole Yeti/Abominable Snowman element was added simply to market the movie. I'm sharing this for anyone who might complain that Yetis only dwell in the Himalayas, not the Cascades in the Pacific Northwest.
THE FILM RUNS 85 minutes and was shot in Bulgaria. WRITER: Nathan Atkins.
GRADE: C+/B-
Being a TV movie that debuted on Syfy, you can expect cartoony CGI, not just for the ferocious creatures but other things as well (e.g. the helicopter and explosions). If you can handle that, this is a decent entry in the Big Foot/Yeti genre. The tone is serious, akin to "Sasquatch Hunters" (2005) and "Sasquatch Mountain" (2006), albeit taking place almost entirely on the peaks during winter. While it's not quite as good as those two, it's not far off.
The notable score has a reverent quality and Lauren O'Neil shines as the female protagonist. The director doesn't fail to respectfully highlight her beauty. The mountain scenery is magnificent and there's quite a bit of thrilling ski & snowboarding sequences. The second act has the protagonists held up in an abandoned ski lodge on the heights.
The creatures, by the way, are never referred to as Yeti or the Abominable Snowman in the movie. The original title of the flick was "Deadly Descent" and the whole Yeti/Abominable Snowman element was added simply to market the movie. I'm sharing this for anyone who might complain that Yetis only dwell in the Himalayas, not the Cascades in the Pacific Northwest.
THE FILM RUNS 85 minutes and was shot in Bulgaria. WRITER: Nathan Atkins.
GRADE: C+/B-