3D Blu-ray Movie Reviews

Everest

Avi Greengart  |  May 27, 2016

Picture
3D-Ness
Sound
Extras
The opening titles of Everest promise that this movie is based on a true story, but then we are led through what appears to be a standard Hollywood man-versus-nature tale, complete with distinct one-note characters to root for. There’s the super-climber who built a business around adventure tourism, complete with a pregnant wife at home. A former protégé,

now a business rival. A mailman who wants to prove that anyone can achieve outlandish dreams. The closing titles show that the characters were, in fact, real people, and while the movie definitely follows a formula, the formula generally works. The A-list cast strives for realism, not character development, and I became lost in the tension as the crew hit problems with planning, poor decision-making, horrific weather, and the limits of human endurance in a hostile environment.

Portions of the movie were shot on location below base camp at Mt. Everest, but the scenes summiting the mountain were shot in the Italian Alps and on London soundstages that appear to be perfect matches with the real thing. The visuals are frequently stunning, though I found the (post-production) 3D distracting on interior shots and sometimes

a bit fake outdoors. That said, the scenes where the climbers cross impossibly deep ravines on rickety bridges and ladders are what 3D and large screens were made for.

There’s obviously a lot of white in the snow scenes, but I didn’t notice any color banding in the snow or digital artifacts in the swirling clouds. The color in interior scenes was oversaturated; that appears to have been deliberate, as the characters move from the warmth of Nepalese village huts to the unfeeling white, blue, and gray of harsh nature.

Not many Blu-rays combine 3D visuals and object-oriented Atmos audio, but this soundtrack definitely enhances the sense of immersion. Whenever the wind whips up onscreen, it viciously swirled around my room, and I could swear the temperature dropped a few degrees. Bass is strong and controlled in scenes with helicopters, thunder, and avalanches, but generally the sound design is used more to tell the story than call attention to itself.

Extras are straightforward: a director’s commentary and featurettes on making the movie, visual effects, and location shooting, teaching the actors to climb, and the story and people Everest was based on. The comprehensive package includes a 3D Blu-ray Disc, 2D Blu-ray, DVD, and a code for both iTunes and UltraViolet Digital Copies.

Blu-Ray 3D
Studio: Universal, 2015
Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1
Audio Format: Dolby Atmos/TrueHD 7.1 core
Length: 122 mins.
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: Baltasar Kormakur
Starring: Jason Clarke, Josh Brolin, John Hawkes

COMMENTS
John Thomas's picture
Submitted by John Thomas on May 27, 2016 - 3:22pm

Have not seen this movie, nor am I a fan of 3D. However, I've long had an interest in mountaineering, rock climbed for 25+ years and several years of mountaineering. The best and most realistic movie about mountaineering, in my estimation, is "Touching the Void." It's the retelling of a true story. Absolutely gripping. No need for 3D to be captivated. While some might scoff at the production values, the experience gives you a good sense of the uncertainty that mountaineering includes. FWIW.

Westworld's picture
Submitted by Westworld on June 1, 2016 - 4:28pm

I have no interest in mountain climbing at all, but this movie was absolutely riveting. One reason was specifically that the dialog and actors seem so real life the way people actually talk and act. I enjoyed it so much I investigated online and this movie may be one of the most true 'Based on a True Story' you will ever see. Even scenes which seem like 'Hollywood' add-ons actually happened in real life. Your review does not shed a positive light on the movie and some people might actually not watch this based on what you wrote and that would be a shame.

To top it off, this movie has stellar 3D and stellar Atmos, truly both are reference quality - one of the best blind buys I have ever made in my 30 years of film collecting.

Don't miss this movie!

AviGreengart's picture
Submitted by AviGreengart on June 9, 2016 - 6:58am

"The closing titles show that the characters were, in fact, real people, and while the movie definitely follows a formula, the formula generally works. The A-list cast strives for realism, not character development, and I became lost in the tension as the crew hit problems with planning, poor decision-making, horrific weather, and the limits of human endurance in a hostile environment."

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