Film Review: K2 (1991)

Mountaineering, due to a scenery, dangers and drama, is a sport that serves as good basis for plots of old school action adventure films. Good example can be found in K2, 1991 film directed by Franc Roddam, also known for its subtitle The Ultimate High.

It is based on the eponymous stage play by Patrick Meyers (who also co-wrote the script), which had been loosely inspired by real life exploits of Jim Wickwire and Louis Reichardt, first Americans to successfully climb on top of K2, notorious mountain peak in Himalayas. Protagonists are Taylor Brooks (played by Michael Biehn), an adventurous lawyer and womaniser, and Harold “H” Jameson (played by Matt Craven), level-headed physics professor and dedicated family man. Despite differences in character, both men are good friends because they share love of mountain climbing. During one of their mountain climbs in Alaska, they stumble on the group of mountaineers led by billionaire Philip Claiborne (played by Raymond J. Barry). Using their good skills and experience, they rescue Claiborne’s group from the storm that took lives of two of their members. Deeply impressed and having lost two men, Claiborne invites them to join his expedition that is about to reach K2. As soon as they reach Pakistan, things start to go wrong – Taylor gets in conflict with Dallas Woolf (played by Luca Bercovici), arrogant member of expedition; local porters refuse to go up; weather gets bad and injuries and illnesses begin to decimate expedition. Taylor and Harold ultimately manage to climb at the top, but the way down the mountain, notorious for taking lives of every fourth person to attempt conquer it, will be the true test of survival skills.

While the original play was quite minimalistic, having only two characters, script by Meyers and Scott Roberts has broadened the plot, and not always in the best way. Characters of Taylor and Harold are given long expositions in scenes depicting their regular lives, and at times, they look a series of cliches, and at times are even slightly exploitative, like when Julia Nickson-Soul, playing Harold long-suffering wife, briefly appears nude. On the other hand, once the action starts in Pakistan, British director Franc Roddam is better able to use talents of his cinematographer Gabriel Beristain and provide audience with some breath-taking scenery taken at locations in Himalaya and British Columbia. Michael Biehn is very comfortable in his somewhat cliched role. He has good chemistry with Matt Craven, a prolific character actor who obviously enjoys rare opportunity for starring role. Supporting cast is solid, although not particularly remarkable, and that includes Patricia Charbonneau as token female member of mountaineering group. Music score, co-written by Hans Zimmer and Chaz Jankel, is a little bit underwhelming for the film of this nature. The ending, which features somewhat annoying deus ex machina element, makes K2 disappointing. Yet, Roddam directs well and keeps good pace, making the experience more than merely tolerable for the audience.

RATING: 5/10 (++)

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