Our Movie Reviews Vertical Limit
Release Year: 2001
Average Rating: 1.5 out of 5 stars
Last Reviewed On: September 27, 2001 (by Scott)
(DVD version)

Michelle's Review:
2 out of 5 stars on August 20, 2001

I think wether or not you like or hate this movie really depends greatly on how much you liked Cliffhanger. It's the only movie I can think of that even compares in the subject matter over the last few years. Now my opinion is that Cliffhanger was a less then stellar movie, but it had it's moments, Vertical Limit however, does not. In fact, Vertical Limit tries to do the exact same thing Cliffhanger did in an opening scene. I am actually surprised at myself for even getting past the first 10 minutes of this movie. From the moment the bird flies by I knew this movie was going to be bad. Not only did the bird look fake, but I found myself actually looking for strings. Yes, the Special effects were so special not only in the beginning sequence, but throughout this movie, that I am sure they ride the short bus to school.

The story was pretty bad too. For some of the most experienced climbers in the world, they are sure pretty horrible at it. It's like they all went to the Murphy's Law School of Rock Climbing, because if something could go wrong, you can beat it does.

The movie wasn't totally unenjoyable, but I have to admit, it was bad enough that I kept expecting Chris O'Donnel to break out his Batman & Robin costume at any time.

Scott's Review:
1.5 out of 5 stars on September 27, 2001

'Vertical Limit' had some pretty impressive special effects. It's a pity it didn't really have a plot to connect all the Special Effects together. Or for that matter, it didn't have a since of continuality to try and make a plot.

This movie was riddled with stupid little goofs. Some of them were perhaps intentional, like the opening sequence, attempting to play with your emotions. Only it failed miserably.

I don't know, generally I like movies that throw ordinary people into extraordinary circumstances, but I think this movie didn't really do that. In the end, the people were supposed to be the best climbers in the world. Never mind that one of them hadn't climbed in decades. And the circumstances were just too bad to be believable, especially that the best climbers in the world would stumble into them.

-- Scott and Michelle