EVEREST [2015]

With an ensemble cast of this many well-known names, it's pretty obvious that director Baltasar Kormákur's true story survival thriller, Everest, was aiming for some serious attention come awards season.
A harrowing screen adaptation of the tragic 1996 expedition up Mount Everest that left eight dead, the film's greatest strength is the powerfully dizzying photography that begs to be seen on a proper IMAX screen for maximum effect.  It's biggest weakness is the large number of characters thinly spread throughout the narrative not leaving a whole lot of time for in depth introductions.  However the acting (particularly Clarke & Knightley) and key scenes are strong enough to let you bypass that and get back to the frightening battle of man against planet.
After the vertigos worn off, I can honestly say I have no interest in enduring such a task as experiencing this sort of torture to my mind, body and soul.

3½ flags out of 5