A solid entry into the climbing-movie canon. Whereas most films regarding mountaineering, fictional or nonfictional, involve death and disaster—the fate-sealing choice to continue on, the larger-than-expected storm—this is a relatively uplifting documentary. It never hides the fact its trio of subjects survive one of the Himalayas' most complicated and perilous inclines. The film delivers the expected spectacle of altitude, ice, and athletic competence—a portable ledge is a particularly nifty inclusion—and tries also to probe the heroism-versus-insanity dynamic of men and women who punish their bodies, minds, and loved ones to reach incredible summits. (It, of course, comes down on their side and could not even exist without the climbers' extensive participation as stars and cinematographers. But still.) One complaint: the actual climactic summit is oddly abridged considering the moment's magnitude, and the film ends a tad abruptly, as if there were an ironclad contractual obligation to stay below 90 minutes. A reflective epilogue would be welcome.

B