Everest (2015)

Kohn finds Everest a gripping, technically accomplished survival thriller, though it struggles to develop its large ensemble and largely overlooks Sherpa culture. He especially praises the visceral IMAX-scale mountain imagery and sound design for making the climb’s danger palpable.

Collins presents the film as an ambitious, gripping mountaineering thriller. He praises the clear staging of the climbers’ journey and the screenplay’s contribution.

Calhoun presents the film as a gripping, physically immersive disaster movie. He singles out its breathless, vertigo-inducing experience near the summit.

McCarthy finds the film an intense, involving, and appropriately tragic dramatization, praising its immersive visuals and humanized characters. He also singles out its realistic detail, while wishing the Sherpa guides had more prominence.

Rife finds the film thrilling but ultimately more punishingly sad than illuminating about why climbing Everest is worthwhile. She praises its sweeping mountain vistas and effective IMAX-scale images, while noting that the climbers’ suffering overshadows the mountain’s majesty.

The review finds the film gripping and visually impressive, though somewhat workmanlike. It praises the striking mountain imagery while noting that the drama feels emotionally distant.

Ebiri finds the film an intimate, quietly devastating disaster story rather than a grand mountaineering epic. He praises how Kormákur keeps the characters in frame, making the mountain’s menace feel immediate.

Chang finds the film a grueling, unsentimental account of the 1996 disaster, though its execution is more competent than inspired. He praises the actors and the propulsive cross-cutting, while criticizing the thin characterization and limited visual lingering.

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Henderson finds the film a tasteful, sweeping, carefully balanced disaster epic that avoids passing flat judgments. He praises its reconciliation of nature’s authority with humanity’s urge to defy it.

The review finds the film visually stunning but says it never reaches the emotional heights it needs. It singles out the mountain cinematography and Emily Watson’s performance for praise, while criticizing the thin characterization and less effective second half.

Turan finds the film visually stunning but confusing and not consistently involving. He praises its spectacular mountain vistas while criticizing the standard script and crowded cast of characters.

Newman finds the film spectacular and well acted, but says its drama loses force amid too many characters and storylines. He praises the imposing mountain imagery while faulting the overcrowded focus that leaves individual stories obscured.

Lane finds the film overcrowded and emotionally implacable, though its tragedy has plenty of compelling material. He singles out the climbers’ perilous ladder crossing as almost unbearable to watch, especially in 3-D.

O'Sullivan finds the film exciting at times but ultimately a missed opportunity, with a shallow and confusing account of the tragedy. She praises the spectacular Himalayan imagery while criticizing the film's omissions, including its treatment of the Sherpas and women.

Bradshaw finds the film frustrating and subdued, with little of the suspense its disaster story promises. He criticizes its scattered focus and especially the thin, limp roles given to the women.

Hammond calls the film a terrific, big-screen adventure and a strong example of ambitious moviemaking. He especially praises its stunning Imax and 3D presentation and the human focus on the climbers.

The critic finds the film a gripping visual spectacle, despite some product placement and emotional excess. The sweeping mountain imagery and the drama of the expedition earn particular praise.

Gabardi finds the film disappointing, saying it fails to reach its potential as either a blockbuster or an introspective drama. She singles out Jason Clarke’s restrained, moving performance as Rob Hall for praise.

The review suggests the film’s human drama is overwhelmed by its spectacle. It singles out the spectacle as the element that swamps the human story.

The critic finds the film an unsatisfying docudrama, burdened by too many characters, though its perilous moments provide real thrills. The cinematography’s vertiginous IMAX imagery is singled out for praise.

Goble finds the film competent and well-cast but ultimately staid, superficial, and unconvincing. He particularly faults its failure to convey the mountain’s danger and grandeur.

The critic finds the film underwhelming, describing it as little more than a standard Lifetime movie. Josh Brolin’s grounded performance is singled out for praise, while the muddled storytelling and weak sense of the mountain’s scale draw criticism.