Vertical Limit

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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.

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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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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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Glitched G

@GlitchedGamer 08/01/2023

Vertical Limit struggles with a thin plot and badly written characters.

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Bruce R

04/06/2023

This movie officially surpassed Ishtar as possibly the worst movie of all time.

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Justin W

@Loonsan 11/06/2022

Along with the best in the genre, like Cliffhanger, worthy in your collection & rewatch list.

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Christopher B

@Ikari777 10/18/2022

Cliched and unoriginal, Vertical Limit is a typical disaster flick with mediocre acting, less than mediocre script and no originality of it's own. Films like this try and go for basic surface level tension and action and it just makes you go numb as the film goes on

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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)

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