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| Word About BiehnReviews of Michael's Work |
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| Word About BiehnReviews of Michael's Work |
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For some reason, K2 doesn't seem to be a favorite of the critics. I don't know why that is; perhaps critics judge by technical standards that have little meaning for me. It's also been said that K2 doesn't compare well to the play by the same name, but a film really should be judged on its own merits, rather than upon those of the source on which it's based.
K2 is the story of one expedition's efforts to reach the summit of that challenging mountain, and there is much that is very enjoyable about it. The climbing scenes are realistic, and the scenery is spectacular, especially during Taylor's and H's ascent to the summit. Further, the film gives us a taste of what it must be like to arrange an expedition of this sort: The enormous scope of such an undertaking; the problems with labor (the bearers) and consequent frustrations for those whose lifelong dream is suddenly threatened. (I was in sympathy with Taylor when he began burning the money. He had a good point, and despite the criticism of him, his action worked.) And one gets a taste of the excitement and danger inherent to such an adventure.
The characters, too, capture our interest. Although Taylor's ego and self-centeredness continually draw our attention, the film is full of selfish and arrogant types; from the twins who are too smart to tie off their tent; to the leader, who's determined to climb despite his health problems; to Dallas, whose actions are influenced by his resentment of Taylor; to H, who talks of the importance of his job and family, but who nevertheless satisfies his own ambitions for that one moment of glory at the top.
Still, it's the film's focus on Taylor and his disdain for love and his pronouncements of how it's every man for himself (he has his plan and it's his alone) that ultimately provide the twist. For it is Taylor who in the end risks all for the love of his friend. It is Taylor, who has cared only for himself, who shows what it means to care for someone else.
Michael is perfect as Taylor. He's convincing as egoist, playboy, womanizer, and first-class mountaineer. And he's convincing as he peels away those surface layers to reveal Taylor's true underlying character, one whose existence it would seem he's even denied to himself. One feels Taylor's torment when he's faced with leaving his only friend on the mountain to die alone; one feels his hope as a rope and a slim chance to make it present themselves; one feels his determination as he labors to get himself and H to safety; and one feels his love for his friend along the way.
Perhaps if the critics had looked just a little closer they might have seen the many pluses of K2, a very cool film in more ways than one!
Kay
All Biehn's K2 page
Abyss ***Aliens ***Art Of War ***Asteroid ***Blood Of The Hunter ***Breach of Trust/Crash ***Chain Of Command ***Cherry Falls ***Coach ***Dead Men Can't Dance ***Deadfall ***Deadly Intentions ***Deep Red ***Double Edge/American Dragons ***The Fan ***Fire In The Sky ***Frame By Frame/Conundrum ***Hill Street Blues ***Hog Wild ***In A Shallow Grave ***Jade ***The Magnificent Seven ***The Martyrdom Of Saint Sebastian ***Megiddo ***Mojave Moon ***Navy SEALS ***Rampage ***The Ride ***The Rock ***Seventh Sign ***Silver Wolf ***Strapped ***Susan's Plan/Dying To Get Rich ***A Taste For Killing ***Terminator ***Tiberian Sun ***Timebomb ***Tombstone
