Nitroglycerin, 26,000 feet cliffs, avalanches, a nasty sickness known as edema, and Chris O’Donnell. Although I have spent my life consciously trying to avoid all of these things, they work to good effect in Vertical Limit.

Set on K2, the worlds second highest peak, Vertical Limit is a high speed thriller that follows the plight of Peter Garrett (Chris O’Donnell) and a team of eccentric but experienced mountain climbers as they attempt to rescue a group trapped on the mountaintop that includes Garrett’s sister, Annie (Robin Tunney) and millionaire thrill seeker, Elliot Vaughn (Bill Paxton).

Needless to say, there are some typical Hollywood back-stories here, including Peter’s personal struggle to save Annie, who still blames him for their families misfortune. There is also a romance between Peter and fellow climber Monique (Izabella Scorupco) that doesn’t exactly melt the frozen peaks of K2. The depth of Vertical Limit does not go beyond other big Hollywood action films of recent years but that is to be expected. Where this film really shines is in its suspense sequences.

One of the first questions that Limit left me with was: “Why did they send six people up the mountain from hell to save three.” The film provides no logical answers to this, but Director Martin Campbell (The Mask of Zorro) uses this large cast effectively, dividing the story into several subplots, cutting back and forth between simultaneous action sequences which constantly keep the audience on its heels.

Campbell’s action sequences are fluid and clear. He avoids the raucous camera shake that plagues so many disaster films. The stunts are nothing short of spectacular. This is what makes Vertical Limit go. In fact, the whole movie is an action sequence, dwelling little on character or plot development. Limit is a rush from start to finish.

No acting performances shine through here, although Scott Glenn is intriguing as the Montgomery Wick, a slightly disturbed, albeit brilliant mountain climber, O’Donnell’s boyish dialogue brings little to the character of Peter Garrett.

But K2 is the real star of Vertical Limit, constantly sending our heroes into worse and worse scenarios. The altitude, avalanches and general bad attitude of the mountain allow Campbell keep the film unpredictable. It never lets the audience go.

Four Sinatras out of five.