November 27, 2000. Copyright, 2000, Graphic News. All rights reserved

HOLD YOUR BREATH FOR A CHILLY THRILLER
By Mark Samms

STARS: Chris OÕDonnell, Bill Paxton, Scott Glenn, Robin Tunney, Izabella Scorupco
DIRECTOR: Martin Campbell

LONDON, November 27, Graphic News: Chris OÕDonnell has been looking for a means of escape from the Batman and Robin image that has dogged him since he starred in the film of that name three years ago. ÒVertical LimitÓ looks certain to provide it, though once again he has to endure some gravity-defying escapades.

He plays retired mountaineer Peter Garrett who, on hearing that his sister Annie (Robin Tunney) is among a group of climbers trapped in a vertical cave on the side of K2, the worldÕs second highest peak, leads the expedition to save them.

Anyone with an aversion to heights is advised to give this movie a wide berth. Some of the stunning action sequences, choreographed with the tension and flair we have come to expect from director Martin Campbell (Mark of Zorro, Goldeneye), are gut-lurchingly effective.

The whole project is a hugely enjoyable action-fest, made all the more remarkable because OÕDonnell was prevailed upon to carry out all his own stunts, many of which saw him hanging from rock cliffs more than 3,000 feet above the ground.

Distributors Columbia have shown faith in the movie despite its lack of stars regarded as box-office certainties. It is being released in the States, Japan and Australia to make the most of pre-Christmas audiences.

AND ANOTHER THING: K2 is located between Pakistan and China, but the mountain sequences in this movie were filmed on Mount Cook in New Zealand.
/ENDS

RELEASE DATES:
December 8: United States
December 9: Japan
December 21: Australia
January 19: Denmark, Iceland
January 25: Netherlands
January 26: UK, Sweden

Sources: IMDB.com; Upcomingmovies.com