Everest tugged at my heartstrings from 28,000 feet

Rating: 8/10 (16 September 2015)

Now I am no climber, but I have taken an interest in the pioneers of Mt Everest, (George Mallory, Howard Somervell, and of course Sir Edmund Hillary) since elementary school.
In my opinion this was the first movie that does arguably the most dangerous mountain in the world justice. Whilst the movie is beautiful (especially in 3D), this is no 'Hollywood' flick where the emphasis is on special effects to cover up a weak plot.
As you might expect the movie focuses on the climbers, their individual reasons for climbing Everest and their relationships with their families back home. The effect is powerful and the audience really starts to build a rapport with the mountaineers as the enter the brutal environment that is Everest's death zone (27,000 feet.)
I have never cried in a cinema before and I'll try not to leave spoilers but I came damn close in a scene between Clarke and Knightly which was expertly done. It prompted my girlfriend to fiercely tell me 'that I am not allowed to climb Everest' as she fought back tears. Others in the audience were also reaching for the tissues (not in that way, you have a sick, sick mind and you should feel bad)
8.5/10