Absolutely Fantastic
A brilliant film that helped define a genre
Very good movie overall, highly recommended. Most of the negative reviews don't have any merit and are all pollitically based. Give this movie a chance at least, and it might give you a different perspective.
View MoreThe film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.
View MoreInteresting to see two films released in the same year with a similar theme and very much the same plot. First, 'Everest', and then 'The Himalayas'. I rather enjoyed the comical introduction to the characters. It gave me a chance to get to know them and care about them, especially keeping in mind the fate that awaited them. The film features some spectacular scenery and great photography, but unfortunately that's as much as I enjoyed about this film. The film is very slow paced, becoming boring and seemingly moving in circles going nowhere slowly. It was pretty much a case of deja vu, deja vu. The characters reasoned illogical and it was hard to believe the actual people acted this way. Then again, the beginning of the film mentions some characters and events were created for dramatization. Well, I suppose that explains it. The film eventually becomes a film about retrieving bodies instead of being about a rescue mission. Pardon me if I'm wrong, but it doesn't make sense to risk lives to retrieve bodies...
View MoreMy opinion---This movie is above all a human drama, set with extraordinary shots and scene of courage and solidarity which in high mountain is absolutely necessary. I liked the movie very much, because there is humor at the beginning, then the dramatic story and finally the giant that is the Everest. Finally the exploit of all these mountaineers. The movie is very well done and this story is based on a true story that will make you love this beautiful movie. A movie to be discovered by the sumptuous images offered by Everest
View MoreThose Korean men must be the most emotional males on Earth! That's how they are depicted in this Korean epic where just about every male actor cries! It would come as no surprise if Kleenex had sponsored the film. It's just a shame that these brave, intrepid explorers are reduced to a quivering, sobbing mess as it undermines their courage and tenacity to conquer mountains. If it's melodrama you want then this serves it up by the bucketloads. Hong-Gil Um (Jeong-min Hwang) and Moo-Taek Park (Jung Woo) first meet in the early 1990s when they endure a grueling climb up Kanchenjunga, the third highest mountain in the world. They become friends and later that decade, become the 14th team to scale the Himalayas. However, Hong-Gil is forced to retire after sustaining a serious injury. Several years later, Hong-Gil is a renowned lecturer and Moo-Taek takes up an assignment to climb Mount Everest. Disaster strikes and Hong-Gil must come out of retirement to again face the challenges of the world's highest mountain. This is probably Korean drama at its best but would be considered excessive melodrama for English speaking audiences. The not-so- subtle acting just doesn't cross the cultural divide. There's no doubting that all the actors inject their emotions wholeheartedly into their roles but a sobfest is not the answer. I wouldn't know how other moviegoers reacted as I was the only person in the cinema. When the actors are not crying uncontrollably, it's quite an enjoyable film. I just don't want my emotions to be manipulated like this. Although Sang-joon Hwang's music score is beautiful to listen to, it is clear that it has been designed to contribute to the melodrama. On its own, it's musical brilliance but when it is accompanied with the images it is overly sympathetic and manipulative. The cinematography, particularly of the mountainous regions, is grand and spectacular. No expense has been spared in filming the climbs and the outdoor locations. The visual and sound effects also bring to life the treacherous conditions the climbers had to face. Based on true events, "The Himalayas" wears its heart on its sleeve. There's nothing wrong with that in small doses but when it's close to two hours of everyone crying then it becomes repetitive. It is still an enjoyable film at times that will be appreciated by those viewers who are not fussed with excessive melodrama. http://mlaimlai2.wix.com/magical-movie-review
View MoreLess exploitative than 2015's Everest, this is impressively photographed, and it tells an interesting story (Sherpas searching for the body of their friend, following an accident which took his life), but it is uneven (largely a buddy movie) and it's so depressing to know that it is about a real death, and more people risking their own lives out of respect for their dead friend's remains. The filmmakers tried to counter that with humorous scenes of them bonding, unsuccessfully.Film is not *bad*, just mediocre, and depressing. Surprisingly, this Korean release made considerably more money in Korea than the new Star Wars did.http://m.themalaymailonline.com/showbiz/article/Himalayas-beats-star- wars-the-force-awakens-in-korean-Christmas-box-office Survival drama "The Himalayas" remained on top of the Korean box office during the three-day Christmas holiday weekend.SEOUL, Dec 29 — The South Korean movie "Himalayas" has broken national box office records and held onto the top spot at the box office, warding off competition from "Star Wars: The Force Awakens." Survival movie "Himalayas" has become Korea's most successful Christmas-period movie, earning US$12.2 million (RM52.37 million) between Friday, December 25 and Sunday, December 27. "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" remains in second place with US$7.01 million over the same weekend.
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