If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to climb to the summit of Everest, this movie will take you to the top and back without the physical impediments. This story follows a group of people who are doomed by their passion to reach the summit of Mt. Everest. But personally, the part of this dark tale that I find most scary is the fact that this is a true story.

The movie “Everest” opens with a breathtaking sight of a group of climbers ascending a narrow snow-covered ridge on Mt. Everest. The clear, blue sky and orderly line of the group gives you a sense of optimism.

The movie Everest is based on the best-selling book by Jon Krakauer, “Into Thin Air.” Krakauer traveled with the group in 1996 in order to write a travel story for “Outdoor Magazine”. The group was led by Rob Hall who ran the mountaineering adventure group with his fellow guide. The group that arrives in Nepal for orientation is Beck Weathers, who is a pathologist from Texas; Doug Hansen, a Seattle mailman, and Yasuko Namba, a Japanese woman who has already climbed six of the major mountain peaks in the world. The group prepares for 40 days at the three levels of camps on the mountain in order to acclimate their bodies to the lack of oxygen and extreme conditions that exist at such high altitudes. This is where jets routinely fly. This is called the “Death Zone.”

Jon Krakauer asks the question, “Why do you need to climb Everest?” The best answer is from the mailman, Doug, who said he was doing this to inspire schoolchildren that anything is possible. Beck Weathers said it gave meaning to his life. And finally, the Japanese woman, Yasuko, said she had already climbed the other six tallest mountains on Earth and that this was the final challenge for her.
The group seems ready for the task, but the first wake-up call is when Beck Weathers is walking on a ladder across a deep crevasse. A large piece of ice breaks off, sending snow down the mountain and knocking him over so that he is dangling from his safety ropes. Rob helps him get over the ladder and the group continues on. This is the first sign of the extreme and terrifying danger that lies ahead for the group of climbers.

This foreshadowing of events to come is an example of the main character’s greatest trait and his greatest weakness. Rob Hall, the group leader, is so determined in his mission to help each client realize his dream and to get them up and down the mountain in one piece, that he tries to personally help each and every one of them. This is his undoing.

The cinematography is great, and so is the acting. The production is very believable. But towards the end of the movie the actors voices are hard to hear due to howling winds. At times the movie can be extremely slow. The director could have at least put in subtitles or made their voices louder than the wind.

So, overall I rate this movie a six out of a possible 10. If hiking and mountain climbing is more your speed, I would recommend it. But if you’re looking for looking for a fun action adventure movie, then this tragic, human story is not for you. Otherwise, I would save this for your Netflix list, plop down on your couch and watch it on a snowy winter day so you won’t feel so bad about being trapped in your warm house.