Fighting Against Mother Nature

Rating: Null/10 (22 September 2015)

Everest centers the story of the three group of hikers climbing to the peak of Mt. Everest. The movie however struggles getting an exact focus among this high number of main characters, but of course, it's all essential, it's just told in a totally straightforward way based on the accounts of this true story. And when things go wrong, the movie portrays their struggle really effective. The scenes capture the terror in Mother Nature and also the characters' fight pushing against their limits. There isn't much to be found in its thematic side, but when it comes to the experience, it gets real interesting.
There is too much characters to look after and the film keeps taking turns to which to focus. Not saying this is bad since it is following the true story, but there isn't much consistency, even if it tries its hardest to squeeze all of these characters for a heavy first half of their personal exposition. It tries to put in some thrilling moments, but of course it keeps messing off its momentum. These scenes are definitely not time wasting, it did help making up for the next half of the film which makes the hopeless scenes more compelling. The movie is better handled when it's pure in suspense, having this supposedly victorious accomplishment a darker fate afterwards.
And it's all about the depiction of how difficult to deal with this environment. We see the hikers slowly fall apart, having their bodies get bad effects from the extreme cold, with the storm keeping them from any absolute control. It's all survival through this weather and environment, while their loved ones are nearly helpless below. It's a downright compelling examination of how things go wrong even with tough strategies already planned at the very start. The cinematography is astonishing and the visuals are impressively lifelike, you could really buy that these people are really at the top of this mountain. The acting is what really made these characters beyond than just details. Jason Clarke, Josh Brolin, John Hawkes and Jake Gyllenhaal made a lot out of their roles; both as characters and as people struggling in the mountain.
Everest is thankfully as simple as it is; it's basically just showing us that climbing to this mountain is just plain dangerous, nothing more and nothing less; no matter how big your dreams are or how daring you can be, there's always consequences to deal with in this harsh, cold environment. Is it inspiring and life changing? Maybe, or maybe not. It's complicated, but it depicts these challenges at the right ways. Yes, the first half is still tough to sit through unless you have the keen focus, but when things get in trouble, the experience is just ultimately compelling. And if you are seeking nothing more than a bunch of people trying to survive Mt. Everest, then you'll definitely get what you've expected. You'll get the fortitude and remorse towards their journey, and I believe that's enough to make it worth achievement.