K2 (1992)

The story of best friends who find truth on top of the world's most forbidding mountain, K2 is a thinking person's adventure that doesn't let its deeper meanings obscure its cliff-hanging thrills. Based on a 1983 Broadway play, the movie has been opened up to embrace the great outdoors; still, what begins as the ultimate challenge for six crack mountain climbers boils down to two guys alone, on a ledge, facing death — and each other. Michael Biehn (The Terminator) plays the arrogant superjock who lives for such moments, while Matt Craven (Jacob's Ladder) plays the ordinary guy who's obviously out of his element. Through avalanches, blizzards, and other natural disasters, they debate the meaning of love, loyalty, and courage — but, thankfully, in the end their actions speak louder than their words. Unfortunately, on video, those breathtaking landscapes lose a lot of breathing room. Quite simply, K2 belongs on the big screen. But rent it anyway — even shrunk down, this movie scales impressive heights. B+

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