Vertical Limit

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2:01

Vertical Limit

PG-13

2000

2h 6m

Mystery & Thriller

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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

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

Mar 6, 2018

Full Review

Peter Howell

Toronto Star

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

Dec 8, 2000

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Susan Stark

Detroit News

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

Rated: 3/4

Dec 8, 2000

Full Review

Patrick Hicks

Feelin' Film Podcast

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.

Rated: 3/5

Jan 16, 2024

Full Review

M. Faust

Common Sense Media

Mediocre disaster flick.

Rated: 3/5

Jan 2, 2011

Full Review

Bob Grimm

Sacramento News & Review

Rated: 3/5

Aug 7, 2008

Full Review

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Arthur M

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

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

08/24/25

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Alec B

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.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/10/24

Full Review

Glitched G

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

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

08/04/23

Full Review

Bruce R

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

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

04/06/23

Full Review

Audience Member

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

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/03/23

Full Review

Christopher B

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

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

12/03/22

Full Review

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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: Martin Campbell, Robert King, Marcia Nasatir
Screenwriter: Robert King, Robert King, 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
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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