Positioned on the border of Pakistan and China, K2 is the second highest point on earth after Mount Everest. In August 2008, eighteen mountain climbers scaled the heights of K2, but only 7 survived the descent. Being touted for its “breathtaking cinematography and jaw-dropping reenactments,” with nature supplying one “face of God” shot after another, short of cinematographer Robbie Ryan’s failure to remove the lens cap, there is no such thing as a bad view. But instead of being gradually immersed in the adventure and mystery naturally inherent in the subject matter, I was blown off course by a tourbillion of talking-head testimonials and stillborn dramatic fakery. Nuts and bolts documentary storytelling such as this belongs on the wall of an ancient domed IMAX, or better yet, the National Geographic Channel. Written and directed without distinction by newcomer Nick Ryan. (2012) — Scott Marks
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