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Vertical Limit

Starring: Chris O'Donnell, Bill Paxton
Director: Martin Campbell
Genre: Action
Year: 2000
Rating: 2 / 5

Did Robert King see Cliffhanger before sitting down to write the screenplay for Vertical Limit? It certainly seems so, even though this mountain climbing adventure falls well short of its more successful predecessor. Vertical Limit is ultimately undone by poor acting, minimal character development, and one of the worst editing jobs in recent memory. This does not even begin to address the woeful plot, rife with blatant shortcomings and gaping holes. Director Martin Campbell finds himself in charge of a panoramic travel brochure, complete with snowy vistas and picturesque mountains. Alas, Vertical Limit attempts to pass itself off as a piece of entertainment, and that might be its biggest mistake.

Peter (Chris O'Donnell) and Annie (Robin Tunney) Garrett are engaging in a recreational climb with their father when something goes awry. The climbers above them have stumbled, tumbling down the rock face towards them. All of the climbers are tied together, however, leaving a half dozen people dangling from Annie's precarious hold. Peter is forced to make a painful decision, one which will ultimately cost the lives of more than half of the climbers, including his own father. It will also drive Peter and his sister apart, causing him to altogether abandon the sport he loves.

Years later, at the base of K2, the world's second-highest peak, Peter and Annie are reunited by pure chance. Annie is taking a documentary crew to the top of the mountain, all with the purpose of chronicling the journey of billionaire Elliot Vaughn (Bill Paxton). Vaughn is planning to launch a new airline, and his ascent is meant to coincide with a huge publicity push. Trouble starts as Vaughn's group nears the summit, with a serious storm ravaging all on the mountain. With Annie's safety in doubt, Peter decides to organize a crew for a rescue attempt. With a mismatched crew, including crusty Montgomery Wick (Scott Glenn), in tow, Peter begins a race against time to save his sister.

Vertical Limit has some impressive visual displays to offer, made even more so by the knowledge that actors Chris O'Donnell and Robin Tunney performed most of their own stunts. Unfortunately, the scenery and the stunts are about the only redeeming items in this film. Tunney merely takes up space, while veteran Scott Glenn is thrust into the thankless role of an embittered, world-weary recluse. Only Bill Paxton, long revered in cult circles, lives up to his advance billing, though this might be due to the low expectations generally afforded the cardboard-like actor. Vertical Limit is a lot of style and flash, but, at the end of the day, it is no different than a ski resort in the fall - lots of fluff, with precious little of the good stuff.

Cast:

Certification: Rated PG-13.
Running Time: 124 minutes.

Additional Info: Internet Movie Database
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