Summary
Overview
Paul Scheer, Jason Mantzoukas, and comedian Lacey Mosley tackle the 2000 extreme sports disaster film Vertical Limit. They dissect the absurd plot involving Chris O'Donnell mounting a rescue mission on K2 with explosive nitroglycerin strapped to climbers' backs, Bill Paxton's villainous turn as a reckless billionaire, and the film's disregard for climbing reality. The hosts mock the terrible CGI, nonsensical action sequences, casual approach to human death, and the bizarre decision to have every character constantly slipping, falling, and dangling from mountains.
Introduction and Movie Setup
Paul introduces the Summer of Extreme theme and breaks down Vertical Limit's premise: siblings Chris O'Donnell and Robin Tunney are estranged after their father dies in a climbing accident where Chris cut the rope. Years later, they reunite at K2 where billionaire Bill Paxton gets trapped during a dangerous climb, forcing Chris to mount a rescue mission with Scott Glenn (who suspects Paxton murdered his wife) using unstable nitroglycerin canisters. The hosts immediately recognize the film's over-the-top premise and ridiculous action movie logic.
- Vertical Limit has a 49% Rotten Tomatoes score and grossed $215 million worldwide despite limited US success
- The rescue plan involves climbers carrying unstable nitroglycerin that explodes in sunlight
- Scott Glenn's character suspects Bill Paxton murdered his wife on a previous K2 attempt
" climbing a mountain is a white person scam. Why do you need to do it? We don't need to do it. Let the mountain stay there. We don't need to get on top. "
The Absurd Opening Sequence
The hosts tear apart the opening scene featuring a terrible CGI eagle, a family climbing accident triggered by a falling backpack (which would never happen in real climbing), and the traumatic moment where Chris O'Donnell must choose between saving his father or sister. They note the bizarre pacing, the thud of the father hitting the ground like a cartoon, and how the siblings appear more like romantic partners than family members due to the film's strange direction.
- The opening CGI eagle is insultingly fake and sets the tone for the film's poor visual effects
- A falling backpack triggers the climbing disaster, which climbers say would never actually happen
- The father's death is shown with a cartoonish smash cut to his body hitting the ground
- Chris O'Donnell and Robin Tunney's sibling relationship reads as romantic due to poor direction
" this movie reeks of fake at every given point. you're like they were never on a mountain this is all on a soundstage they're hanging off that rock in the beginning like oh no one no one is a climber here no one is out this is all safe on a soundstage. "
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