Director Baltasar Kormákur’s cautionary tale from last fall about the deadly dangers of climbing the world’s tallest mountain peak gets a dazzling high-definition transfer to stress out home theater viewers in Everest (Universal Studios Home Entertainment, rated PG-13, $24.98, 121 minutes).
Based on actual events, this man-versus-nature story covers the ill-fated 1996 climb of Mount Everest by two commercial expeditions and the unforgiving conditions they encountered.
The ensemble cast features Jason Clarke as Rob Hall (the leader of Adventure Consultants); Jake Gyllenhaal as Scott Fischer (lead guide for competitor Mountain Madness); Josh Brolin as Beck Weathers (a hardcore recreational climber); and Emily Watson as Helen Wilton (Mr. Hall’s base camp manager).
The action often mixes harrowing moments of disaster and survival at its most chilling.
Mr. Kormákur and cinematographer Salvatore Totino’s panoramic choices really come to eye-popping life on the Blu-ray (2.40:1, 1080p presentation) as the colorful climbers begin their ascent to allow viewers to get an amazing look at details of the famous snowy mountain range.
Just as impressive is the Dolby Atmos (Dolby TrueHD 7.1 for those not hooked into Atmos) sound mix that literally brings the mountain to life through its constant low rumbling and its noisy weather conditions.
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Extras are led by nearly 30 minutes of featurettes that perfectly explore the harsh shooting conditions, artificially recreating the final climb to the summit (through a massive set and special effects), health challenges for the actors and accuracy of the story.
The most poignant of the group — ” Aspiring to Authenticity: The Real Story” — offers interviews with Mr. Hall’s wife Jan Arnold and his daughter Sarah, Mr. Weathers and Miss Wilton, and it will guarantee to cause viewers to shed a tear.
Additionally, Mr. Kormákur offers an information-packed optional commentary track.
Although he covers an incredible array of material about the movie production (a location travelogue, technical choices, etc.), he is just as quick to remind viewers of the real people who lost their lives and lived during that difficult climb.
• Joseph Szadkowski can be reached at jszadkowski@washingtontimes.com.
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