K2 is one ofthe few climbing movies to make it into the mainstream.
As opposed to the hard to find documentary films, this one is available
from just about any local video shop, in the same aisle as Cliff Hanger
and Vertical Limit.Unlike those titles, however, K2 is actually almost
believable. It’s still pure fiction, full of melodramatic cliché and
emotionally charged, fabricated moments where-in it’s stars, Michael
Beihn & Matt Craven play characters who test their friendship, and
mountaineering skills high on the peak. But at least some of the
technical aspects have a certain degree of realism, making the movie
watchable, and even quite enjoyable to an audience of climbers.
The plot centres around Michael & Matt’s characters obtaining
a place on a team, funded by a billionaire headed up K2, the second
highest mountain in the world. About half the movie builds background on
the two as a climbing partnership and friendship, before the action
moves to the ascent itself. There’s several rock and ice climbing
scenes. Including a lead up a steep granite wall, complete with hanging
belays, pendulum traverses, and the occasional lead dyno. The bright
blue and red tights, and supposedly stirring music remind you that it
was probably shot in the late 80’s. The body belays are a nice touch.
Most of the drama, however, occurs during the assault on K2, where we
see ice climbing leads and hard slogging up fixed ropes, mixed in with
the close ups and conversations that build the plot.
You won't be suprised to hear that the scenery is not really that
of K2 (Karakoram Peak 2 at 28,250 feet), but in fact various
mountainous regions of Canada and Pakistan. The plot touches slightly on
issues such as leaving loved ones behind to do something crazy like
climbing mountains, and general expedition dynamics though how
relistically either topic is protraited is undoubtedly somewhat distored
by dramatic flair.
In summary, this is one mainstream climbing video that is
actually worth buying and watching with the intention of enjoying it for
the drama, action, scenery and climbing. I’m not saying it doesn’t
suffer from poetic license and over dramatised incidents, but at least
it’s not a complete joke. You won’t see any bolt guns, explosions,
computer graphics, or car chases. Nobody cuts a rope letting their
comrades fall, nor does anybody leap out of a helicopter, or double
dyno, solo 1000m off the deck. Instead the movie is forced to rely on
acting skills and an interesting plot. Fortunately, at least in my
opinion, it more or less succeeds despite the lack of big name actors,
predictable sequence of events and total absence of nitroglycerin.
However, bear in mind that to non-climbers this movie will probably seem
dull incomparison to Vertical Limit.
DOWNLOAD K2 ULTIMATE HIGH - DVD9.
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