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Everest (Large Format)

Everest (Large Format)

List Price: $19.99
Your Price: $14.99
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Popularity Not Misplaced
Review: More reviews of this DVD are hardly needed. I haven't read all 76 of them, but there are some additions I'd like to make to what I have read.

1) To have an IMAX movie ranked as #362 on the Amazon.com sales list speaks volumes. Most rank between 1,000 - 2,000; Everest is an experience in itself.

2) I feel that some of the negative comments relating to the preparation for climbing Everest are unfair; the preparation provides a great background for the climb and a focus on the lead Sherpa; we also get a view of the spiritual nature of Everest.

3) Watch the "making of" then watch the main feature again. It's much more enjoyable knowing the challenges of lugging those IMAX cameras around & recognizing what people went through to bring us, the viewer, to the Summit.

As I see more IMAX movies I develop a greater respect for MacGillivray. He comments that every "take" of IMAX gets only 90 seconds of film. You appreciate the editing of the movie much more; and more power to him & his company for the comment that "every second of film from the Summit was used in the final movie" as a testament to the people (BTW, Sherpas) who carried this bulky & awkward equipment to the Summit.

This is a great movie. It deserves it's commercial success & the number of reviews offered by viewers.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Expectations & Complaints
Review: After reading all of the drivel concerning this DVD I have an opinion I'd like to share. Upon hearing of Everest I immediately built some expectations, namely I wanted to see compelling, dramatic footage of the mountain that's killed so many. What I got was much different than I had expected, to say the least. After I had recovered from the damage of my expectations I realized that the footage the crew captured was truly breathtaking, not so much because of great cinemaphotography but more over because they had gotten any footage at all. I loved this DVD because I was shown a part of the world I'll likely never see and I am grateful a crew risked their lives to bring this to film.

If you want drama, read Krakauer's book, if you want a view of the top of the world with an interesting story, buy the DVD.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: See it at an IMAX theater
Review: This video was disappointing in that many of the potentially compelling shots of the actual climbing were replaced with photographs. There is very little live action video of the ascent from the south col to the summit. See for example, Nova's "The Death Zone" for a dizzying shot (also by Brashears, i think) across the south col and then straight up the ridge to the south summit.

It seemed that much of the IMAX film was devoted to one of the lead climbers and his girlfriend riding bikes, and interviews with the italian climber that apprently were necessary to fill up space due to the lack of climbing footage.

Let's face it, the reason most people would want to own this video, is to have a vicarious experience of climbing--not watch climbers make small talk. What does it look like climbing up in those truly unique locations we've read about: ascent to the south summit; traversing to the Hillary step along a narrow ridge with thousands of feet on either side; climbing the Hillary step; the summit coming into view; the last few steps up? At these key points, this film shows little or no action--and perhaps worst of all--still photos at the summit that add nothing to book illustrations.

I'm sure that the true IMAX presentation (as opposed to home VCR) adds immeasurably to the experience of watching this film. For home viewing of mountain climbing, however, the Nova video is superior in my opinion.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Where's the beef?
Review: Too bad professional camera operators and videographers couldn't be better climbers. It was obvious that the really good shots were from helicopters or from zoom angles in safe locations.

Dissapointing for 70mm filmwork, and the narration was a real sleep inducer.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Everst
Review: very well done, keep it up and good job guys

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Stunning
Review: The IMAX movie, "Everest" is a tour de force not soon to be forgotten. It is absolutely mind-boggling how they ever got that camera to the top of the world, and the pictures that came from this expedition are tops. As with most IMAX movies, you sit close enough that you get some picture degradation, albeit small. This DVD shows it all crystal clear and it is unforgettable.

Equally as good is the bonus material that come packaged with the movie. I found "The Making Of "Everest" to be as interesting as the actual film. All in all, this is one DVD that showcases just what this format can do. This is a must-have film.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: unforgettable images, but . . .
Review: I'm interested in Mt. Everest as an unstable environment. On Everest, especially in the Death Zone, one's assumptions regarding reality and knowledge are swept away. This film gave me an unforgettable series of pictures of this environment: hurricane force winds, infinitely deep crevasses, and looming cliffs, seracs, and ridges. I saw the forces that make Mt. Everest a metaphor for temperamental and demanding gods. My disappoinment in the film was in the narration, interviews, and music soundtrack. I didn't find the climbers very interesting, George Harrison's music too often seemed insipid and out of place, and Liam Neeson's narration was predictable, even banal. I'll keep watching this video. I love the images. But, I'll often mute the sound and fast forward through the interviews.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Perfect
Review: If you ever want to take a journey that enables you to feel every emotion this DVD is for you. Don't forget to watch the interview it is better than the actual picture.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Blow You Away
Review: This was the first IMAX film I ever saw during a trip to NYC. I didn't know what to expect, but suffice it to say I was totally blown away. Such spectacular footage, and an incredibly moving soundtrack by George Harrison to boot. The story was well done, and the cinematography was the best I've ever seen. Definitely worth your time!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Mountainour Adventures
Review: Well it dosn't matter how old you are to enjoy this movie....our 6th grade classes watched it and fell in love with it!

If you read Into Thin Air you "have" to watch this movie! It is very good, from the base camp to the summit! It is like you are right in the group with them! See what all obsticles they faced and overcome! See if they make it to the summit! se


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