Anyone who has seen the preview for Vertical Limit will no doubt
expect it to be a high-octane thrill ride with stunt after stunt after stunt. The
reality, however, is that the preview is actually more exciting than the film itself which
is filled with slow spots and predictable action sequences.
Still, there is plenty to like about Vertical Limit, it's just that
after such an impressive preview you would expect the film to be just a little bit better
than it actually is. All of the major action sequences are included in the preview
and the film itself does not offer anything new in the way of action; except maybe for the
opening sequence that certainly will get the heart pumping.
When Annie Garrett (Robin Tunney) is trapped while climbing with an
expedition led by scheming billionaire Elliot Vaughn (Bill Paxton),
her brother Peter Garrett (Chris O'Donnell) is
intent on rescuing her. Despite some initial resistance from his climbing peers, he
recruits a group of experienced mountain climbers to go and rescue the stranded expedition
members.
The plot plays second fiddle to the action sequences and is full of
cliches that in the end become a little predictable. Even the stunts, although
wonderfully staged and filmed, become a little predictable as we are served up the same
stunt time after time. I guess there are only so many ways that you can nearly fall
off a mountain and while they are exciting the first couple of times, in the end you just
want to see something a little different.
It is strange that what saves this film from plunging into the ranks
of mediocrity is some impressive performances from its cast. Usually in an action
movie it is the action sequences that make up for some ordinary acting.
All of the major cast give admirable performances and they are
backed up by a number of bit characters that provide the film with a fair bit of comical
moments.
As you might imagine, the scenery for the film is quite spectacular.
Director Martin Campbell has managed to capture the immense beauty of the Himalayas
(the film was actually shot in New Zealand but I imagine that the Himalayas would look
fairly similar to the mountains in the film) while at the same time showing that it is
also one of the more dangerous places on the planet.
Don't get me wrong, Vertical Limit is an excellent film that does
provide a fair amount of exciting moments. It's only the fact that almost of those
exciting moments were put into the preview and there is no doubt that this affects the
effectiveness of the film. After all, it is very hard to get excited about something
when you already know what happens.
- Adam Matthews
