Vertical Limit

Play trailer

2:01

Vertical Limit

PG-13

2000

2h 6m

Mystery & Thriller

Action

Adventure

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

49%

Tomatometer

111 Reviews

41%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

Feeling responsible for his father's death, which occurred during a climbing expedition, Peter Garrett (Chris O'Donnell) has quit the pursuit in favor of photography, while his sister, Annie (Robin Tunney), has become a top climber. After Annie is hired by wealthy businessman Elliot Vaughn (Bill Paxton) to lead a trek, inclement weather causes the crew to become trapped. Facing his fears, Peter assembles a rescue team, including experienced climber Montgomery Wick (Scott Glenn), to save them.

Critics Consensus

The plot in Vertical Limit is ludicrously contrived and cliched. Meanwhile, the action sequences are so over-the-top and piled one on top of another, they lessen the impact on the viewer.

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David Ansen

Newsweek

03/06/2018

Alternately generating adrenaline and ennui, Vertical Limit battles itself to a hard-earned draw.

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Peter Howell

Toronto Star

12/08/2000

The pace of the movie rarely flags (neither does the idiocy, alas) and it's enough to warrant a marginal recommendation.

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Susan Stark

Detroit News

12/08/2000

3/4

This is a movie that means to keep you involved and, preferably, gasping from start to finish . At that, it certainly does succeed.

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Patrick Hicks

Feelin' Film Podcast

01/16/2024

3/5

Despite an avalanche worth of cliches, the over-the-top nitroglycerin-fueled action and a dramatic rescue attempt premise allow for a big, fun movie experience set on the gorgeous but dangerous snowy peaks of Pakistan.

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M. Faust

Common Sense Media

01/02/2011

3/5

Mediocre disaster flick.

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Bob Grimm

Sacramento News & Review

08/07/2008

3/5

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Glenn H

@Tredbull 1h

This was one of the worst movies I have ever seen. It should have been called Murphy's Law, as everything that can go wrong does. All the people that we are led to believe is very competent, makes all the wrong decisions. The plot is thin and predictable. I wish I never saw it.

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Karthik Y.

@madkarthi 3d

It is a totally thrilling ride from start to finish. The tension on the mountain is highly gripping and keeps you on the edge of your seat. I really like the breathtaking snowy landscapes and the intense, freezing vibe throughout the entire film. The cinematography captures the massive scale and extreme danger of K2 beautifully. Even though the story itself is quite thin and follows a very routine rescue mission plot, the execution makes it a good one. The nonstop action sequences, avalanches, and crazy cliffhanger moments completely make up for the simple script. It is just a highly entertaining and fun survival thriller to watch.

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Gerald G

@gdgeisler May 20

Probably my favourite movie of all time. The low Tomatoe Meter rating re-enforces my long held belief that the actual quality of a movie is inversely related to what the consensus of idiots is.

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Mike S.

@RT05723158 Mar 12

Chris O’Donnell in all his glory…. Gave it a fair shake

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Arthur M

@pittpost Aug 24

The only thing less convincing than the plot is the green screen

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Alec B

@Alec97 01/10/2024

Filled with clichés and it is disappointing to have the revenge subplot go nowhere however I appreciate that the movie hardly ever sags and that it lets you know immediately what the main character's tragic backstory is.

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Martin Campbell

Director

Chris O'Donnell

Peter Garrett

Bill Paxton

Elliot Vaughn

Robin Tunney

Annie Garrett

Scott Glenn

Montgomery Wick

Izabella Scorupco

Monique Aubertine

Vertical Limit: Official Clip - Wick's Revenge

2:55

Vertical Limit: Official Clip - Turbulence & Terror

3:12

Vertical Limit: Official Clip - He's Going to Die

2:46

Vertical Limit: Official Clip - Cut the Rope

3:38

Vertical Limit: Official Clip - Collapsing Ledge

3:11

Vertical Limit: Official Clip - Avalanche!

2:59

Vertical Limit: Official Clip - Involuntary Sacrifice

2:58

Vertical Limit: Official Clip - Are You Going to Kill Me?

2:54

Vertical Limit: Official Clip - Explosive Avalanche

2:50

Vertical Limit: Official Clip - The Blood Bag

2:53

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Vertical Limit: Trailer 1

2:01

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Synopsis

Feeling responsible for his father's death, which occurred during a climbing expedition, Peter Garrett (Chris O'Donnell) has quit the pursuit in favor of photography, while his sister, Annie (Robin Tunney), has become a top climber. After Annie is hired by wealthy businessman Elliot Vaughn (Bill Paxton) to lead a trek, inclement weather causes the crew to become trapped. Facing his fears, Peter assembles a rescue team, including experienced climber Montgomery Wick (Scott Glenn), to save them.

Director: Martin Campbell
Producer: Robert King, Marcia Nasatir
Screenwriter: Terry Hayes
Distributor: Columbia Pictures, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Columbia TriStar Home Video
Production Co: Columbia Pictures, Global Entertainment Productions, Mountain High Productions
Rating: PG-13 (Intense Life/Death Situations|Brief Strong Language)
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Action, Adventure, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 8, 2000, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 18, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $68.5M
Runtime: 2h 6m
Sound Mix: Dolby SR, Dolby Digital, Surround
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)