This is worth seeing, if only to provide a floor for rating all other movies. Worst of all time? Probably not. laughingly, shockingly horrible? Definitely. I was embarrassed for the actors in the movie, who must have been randomly recruited from a Greyhound terminal. I was also embarrassed for the movie Vertical Limit, which, though it is also a terrible movie in it's own right, actually made an effort, and has some entertainment value including a couple of Point Break-esquire one-liners. Sub Zero lifted almost all of it's action sequences and mountain scenes from Vertical Limit. When I say lifted, I don't mean they borrowed ideas, but rather cut-and-pasted footage. Another person wrote that one scene looked like an SNL skit, and I agree. Sub Zero is so pathetic, it is almost entertaining. But not quite.
19 Reviews
Pathetic
ver_steeg11 March 2006
Warning: Spoilers
Yes, this movie was truly pathetic. As another viewer points out, the mountain did an excellent job. Other than that, embarrassing. Terrible and inconsistent Russian accents, not to mention offensive stereotyping. A doctor who can diagnose "internal hemorrhaging" by touching the outside of an injured climber's parka. The female Russian climber actually looks like she is wearing jeans. The impossibly implausible position of the cube. The RIDICULOUS final climb with the cube--what is he holding on to? It is so clearly shot with them lying down horizontally. Flying effects that looked like a SNL skit.
Nevertheless, it was still rather fun to watch how this train wreck of a movie would get worse.
Nevertheless, it was still rather fun to watch how this train wreck of a movie would get worse.
Cheesy Z-grade mountaintop thrills
Leofwine_draca3 November 2011
An unashamed Z-grade mountaineering flick, directed by a man (Jim Wynorski, hiding under a pseudonym) better known for making trashy T 'n' A movies and with a storyline that's more than happy to rip off VERTICAL LIMIT. If you like watching overly familiar, silly movies loaded with stock footage, awful plotting and some outrageously poor effects, you've come to the right place.
Things begin with a supposedly dramatic sequence set atop a sheer cliff. It soon turns out that this is a direct rip-off of CLIFFHANGER's famous opening scene. From here on in, we get a silly, half-baked storyline involving a futuristic satellite weapon that looks like nothing more than a cheap Rubik's cube. There are some outer space shots that look awfully familiar to the ones in UNDER SIEGE 2, and a squad of Russian terrorists whose tendency toward self-destruction makes them some of the dumbest ever shown on screen.
Eventually, the plot gets around to sending a bunch of would-be heroics up an impassable mountain in Tibet in a race against time (yawn). No surprises that there are some more dastardly betrayals, some dodgy Russians and a token black guy whose only purpose is to get bumped off ASAP. The high-rise heroics make use of plenty of sub-par CGI and characters don't bat an eyelid when long-time friends are decimated by stock-footage avalanches.
Of the cast, lead Costas Mandylor is the most familiar from his appearances in seemingly dozens of SAW sequels. He's supported by Linden Ashby (who was a one-time action hero in the likes of MORTAL KOMBAT, although his acting hasn't improved since then), and the pretty but vacuous Nia Peeples. Aside from some low-rent machine-gun action, there's not much going on here, leaving this a Z-movie to be endured rather than enjoyed. Still, there's far worse out there even if this is below average by genre standards, although that's not a recommendation.
Things begin with a supposedly dramatic sequence set atop a sheer cliff. It soon turns out that this is a direct rip-off of CLIFFHANGER's famous opening scene. From here on in, we get a silly, half-baked storyline involving a futuristic satellite weapon that looks like nothing more than a cheap Rubik's cube. There are some outer space shots that look awfully familiar to the ones in UNDER SIEGE 2, and a squad of Russian terrorists whose tendency toward self-destruction makes them some of the dumbest ever shown on screen.
Eventually, the plot gets around to sending a bunch of would-be heroics up an impassable mountain in Tibet in a race against time (yawn). No surprises that there are some more dastardly betrayals, some dodgy Russians and a token black guy whose only purpose is to get bumped off ASAP. The high-rise heroics make use of plenty of sub-par CGI and characters don't bat an eyelid when long-time friends are decimated by stock-footage avalanches.
Of the cast, lead Costas Mandylor is the most familiar from his appearances in seemingly dozens of SAW sequels. He's supported by Linden Ashby (who was a one-time action hero in the likes of MORTAL KOMBAT, although his acting hasn't improved since then), and the pretty but vacuous Nia Peeples. Aside from some low-rent machine-gun action, there's not much going on here, leaving this a Z-movie to be endured rather than enjoyed. Still, there's far worse out there even if this is below average by genre standards, although that's not a recommendation.
Oh dear...
paul_nally10 December 2005
Hard to imagine why a group of people would assemble to produce this. I just watched it on Pay Per View. I was in the mood for a "thriller", and the most skilled artisan involved in this production was the one who made the trailer look like it referenced a passable film. I do occasionally like to watch "rubbish" films, like the random Airline disaster... The ones where someone with the fear of flying lands the airplane with one wing, no wheels and after all the crew die after all drinking coffee spiked by a scorned lover, while callous Corporate overlords cover up the shoddy maintenance schedule of the aircraft.
But... not this...
Another commenter points out all the flaws relating to mountain climbing. The science is just as daft, the technology even worse and the political scenario's take the biscuit... So the UN sanction the creation of a doomsday satellite network, all controlled by one 4 inch remote control device thats guarded by, maybe 3 guys...
I may have seen a worse movie in my life... But I cant think of one, right now.
But... not this...
Another commenter points out all the flaws relating to mountain climbing. The science is just as daft, the technology even worse and the political scenario's take the biscuit... So the UN sanction the creation of a doomsday satellite network, all controlled by one 4 inch remote control device thats guarded by, maybe 3 guys...
I may have seen a worse movie in my life... But I cant think of one, right now.
This frozen dinner needed more time in the oven
vandino17 October 2005
Sure, look at the cast, look at who directed, know it's a straight to DVD release and figure the couple of bucks to rent it is a gallon of gas not in your tank. But go with the gas in your tank than the gas coming off the screen. This is just a variation on the 'Cliffhanger' story of an expert climber who loses a female climber to an accident, gives up climbing, then is coaxed back up by circumstance. In this case it is over some gimmicky Rubik's cube device that's sitting atop K2 in the Himalayas (as played by a Canadian mountain stand-in and played well). Mandylor and Peeples and a few others are hired by the President to get their butts up that mountain and retrieve that cube before the clock ticks down and it fires up satellites around the Earth to destroy the world (which is absurd since no satellites have the ability to fire laser beams that would destroy entire cities). Nia Peeples still looks good and does well as a feisty fellow climber. Nobody else makes an impression (unless you enjoy the humorously thick Natasha accent of one of the Russian climbers). There is some decent avalanche footage and other location shooting that gives the film some authenticity (none of that horrible process screen or computerized imagery). And the big finish had some good elements but it was all but killed by the stumbling direction and suspenseless score. Too bad. But I looked at the cast, and I looked at the director, knew it was a straight to DVD release, and I spent my money... so what was I thinking?
Cornier than a bucket full of Corn flavoured Pop Corn
danielsmith1315 January 2007
Warning: Spoilers
SPOILERS: IF YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW THE PLOT OF THIS GOD AWFUL FILM THEN DON'T READ.
After September 11; Nato sanctioned the secret launch of EMP Laser satellites designed to be used as a weapon (forgot the purpose) but they've malfunctioned and in a short (but unknown cause I'm forgotten) period of time they're all going to go off which will cause the destruction of every electrical device on the planet and sent the world back to the stone age. They can't shoot down the satellites cause they're designed to EMP anything that enters a mile of its orbit. So the only way to stop it is by turning it off at the 'Cube' on K2.
Obviously there's terrorists (Russian Terrorsits :O) dodgy Russian's, one of the climbing team has mysteriously been killed so the leader has asked his old climbing friend to join them who is now a monk after him and the leader lost a friend on a climb.
It's lame, it's crap but if its on TV beats watching some other crap with adverts every 5 minutes (if in America) or if you come home from 6th Form to find there is nothing on you haven't already seen at least 17 times and your only hope is, I kneel and pray, crap TV Movies on the Sci Fi Channel.
After September 11; Nato sanctioned the secret launch of EMP Laser satellites designed to be used as a weapon (forgot the purpose) but they've malfunctioned and in a short (but unknown cause I'm forgotten) period of time they're all going to go off which will cause the destruction of every electrical device on the planet and sent the world back to the stone age. They can't shoot down the satellites cause they're designed to EMP anything that enters a mile of its orbit. So the only way to stop it is by turning it off at the 'Cube' on K2.
Obviously there's terrorists (Russian Terrorsits :O) dodgy Russian's, one of the climbing team has mysteriously been killed so the leader has asked his old climbing friend to join them who is now a monk after him and the leader lost a friend on a climb.
It's lame, it's crap but if its on TV beats watching some other crap with adverts every 5 minutes (if in America) or if you come home from 6th Form to find there is nothing on you haven't already seen at least 17 times and your only hope is, I kneel and pray, crap TV Movies on the Sci Fi Channel.
Don't waste your time or money
helenebarrette5 February 2006
The picture of a climber on the DVD box is what made me rent the movie. I was expecting something no worse than Cliff Hanger or Vertical Limits (both of which were ludicrous). But I knew within the first 2 minutes that this was oh-so-much-worse... The special effects are bad, the acting is bad, the script is pathetic, and the climbing... beyond laughable. Another reviewer already commented on the "crawling along the snow", the missing crampons in the crevasse, and the poor ice axe technique of the "climbers".
I'll add to that: 1) the fact that the climbers go from D.C. to K2 base camp at about 20,000ft with no acclimatization (close to instant death...); 2) they carry big, heavy non-expedition tents to Camp 1; 3) there are tire tracks all around Camp 1 (!!!); 4) they never rope up properly, and walk too close together; 5) it's windy outside, but quiet and calm inside the tent (no wind); 6) they carry Coleman gas lanterns to Camp 1 and no one has a headlamp (what real climbers use); 7) their packs and equipment are all new, and yet, all these climbers are "the world's best" with loads of experience; 8) they're not dressed like climbers (furry hood); 9) they keep referring to the fact that it's suicide to climb K2 "in this season" (winter?), yet, it's mostly sunny and apparently not very cold on the mountain (no visible "breath").
And no one - I don't care how good they are - would ever sign up to reach 23,000ft on the north face of K2, within 72 hours of sitting in an office in Washington, D.C. Not even for large sums of money.
If you're going to write a movie about climbing, wouldn't you learn SOMETHING about the sport first?
For good climbing movies, Everest (IMAX) by David Brashears, and Touching the Void (the Joe Simpson story) --- much, much, much better, even without the fake Russians and glowing Rubik's cubes...
I'll add to that: 1) the fact that the climbers go from D.C. to K2 base camp at about 20,000ft with no acclimatization (close to instant death...); 2) they carry big, heavy non-expedition tents to Camp 1; 3) there are tire tracks all around Camp 1 (!!!); 4) they never rope up properly, and walk too close together; 5) it's windy outside, but quiet and calm inside the tent (no wind); 6) they carry Coleman gas lanterns to Camp 1 and no one has a headlamp (what real climbers use); 7) their packs and equipment are all new, and yet, all these climbers are "the world's best" with loads of experience; 8) they're not dressed like climbers (furry hood); 9) they keep referring to the fact that it's suicide to climb K2 "in this season" (winter?), yet, it's mostly sunny and apparently not very cold on the mountain (no visible "breath").
And no one - I don't care how good they are - would ever sign up to reach 23,000ft on the north face of K2, within 72 hours of sitting in an office in Washington, D.C. Not even for large sums of money.
If you're going to write a movie about climbing, wouldn't you learn SOMETHING about the sport first?
For good climbing movies, Everest (IMAX) by David Brashears, and Touching the Void (the Joe Simpson story) --- much, much, much better, even without the fake Russians and glowing Rubik's cubes...
Man (and woman) vs the elements to recover Ribiks cube.
wlupton-124 November 2005
This film is a waste of digital imagery! Imagine, the hero ventures up K2 in a K-Mart parka with a fur edged hood no less. In one scene one "climber" (I say that oh so tongue in cheek) belays another by just standing there (he is tied onto the rope though)while his buddy holds a hundred feet or so of loosely coiled rope in his hands between the "belay" and the prospective climber.
Oh man, this flick is sooooo bad, I almost wept. Oh, the aforementioned climber falls down a crevasse, is hanging there wearing his crampons, then is hauled out without them. I mean, these things are strapped to your ankles so you can't loose them. The ice axe technique and cramponning (no front pointing at all) is pathetic, and crawling up, no, along snow slopes reminded me of a drunk in the gutter finding his way home. Speaking of axe technique, when a guy fell down a slope, instead of using the appropriate technique of rolling over and gently applying the point as a brake by applying ones weight, he lies on his back flailing helplessly at the snow. If that axe had gripped, it would have ripped his arm off.
All those really great mountaineers now sadly perished, will be rolling over in their graves (if lucky enough to have one).
'Nuff said, this film should be burnt! It's a disgrace!
Oh man, this flick is sooooo bad, I almost wept. Oh, the aforementioned climber falls down a crevasse, is hanging there wearing his crampons, then is hauled out without them. I mean, these things are strapped to your ankles so you can't loose them. The ice axe technique and cramponning (no front pointing at all) is pathetic, and crawling up, no, along snow slopes reminded me of a drunk in the gutter finding his way home. Speaking of axe technique, when a guy fell down a slope, instead of using the appropriate technique of rolling over and gently applying the point as a brake by applying ones weight, he lies on his back flailing helplessly at the snow. If that axe had gripped, it would have ripped his arm off.
All those really great mountaineers now sadly perished, will be rolling over in their graves (if lucky enough to have one).
'Nuff said, this film should be burnt! It's a disgrace!
The worst climbing film ever? Probably.
joedfilms20 January 2008
Warning: Spoilers
OK, much has already been said about the ridiculous plot; total lack of research, shopping mall props and general total ignorance exhibited within every facet of this film. Evidently it was directed with contempt for the audience's intelligence. It did occur to me early on that this whole film might be a mis-packaged spoof of all the bad films that went before, but no - they appear to have been serious in their attempt. Although how anyone could think people would not notice the continuity errors (e.g. red rope/blue rope, tarmac outside the mountain-top gun station, Nissen huts suddenly changing shape, etc etc) is beyond me.
But the crowning glory for me was:
Do the producers really think that there are pine trees at the summit of K2?
But the crowning glory for me was:
Do the producers really think that there are pine trees at the summit of K2?
Wow, this was so bad it was funny
qdixon-649-7179231 January 2010
Warning: Spoilers
This is the main reason why writers, directors and producers need to consult professionals and the need to hire technical advisors.
Is it about pumping out crap for the almighty dollar with no realism? A 10 year old learns enough science and "know how" to shake their heads at the bad direction, realism and science.
*EMP - does not blow things up...lol go back to school *Learn military protocol - this is a joke. *The rock climbing techniques demonstrated by the actor demonstrated a willful disregard for accuracy.
I am sick and tired of "the powers that be" producing crap just for the sake of a story to put on TV.
Put more effort into it-
Learn something from Ridley Scott...
Is it about pumping out crap for the almighty dollar with no realism? A 10 year old learns enough science and "know how" to shake their heads at the bad direction, realism and science.
*EMP - does not blow things up...lol go back to school *Learn military protocol - this is a joke. *The rock climbing techniques demonstrated by the actor demonstrated a willful disregard for accuracy.
I am sick and tired of "the powers that be" producing crap just for the sake of a story to put on TV.
Put more effort into it-
Learn something from Ridley Scott...
its a caricature of a film - unfortunately they were being serious
greg-201-51978920 June 2012
Warning: Spoilers
It's wrong on so many levels.
Cheap filmwork and ripped noff scenes from other movies, you can spot the plots from miles away.
Technically pathetic from a climbing point of view, amateur climbers have better kit and dress sense than these 'pros'.
As a large bloke that does some ice climbing I can tell you there are very few big chaps climbing at this level, most are racing snakes.
The baddies in supposed winter assault gear have white suits black utility belts and black leather gloves - frostbite and visibly duh.
EMP just makes things stop working it doesn't make things spark, and sparks don't come in different colours!
Love the bit where the inept gunman is restrained and after a cheesy one liner the lead walks out into the road carrying an automatic weapon but the Police cruiser just lets him go by!
The Major with dark aviator sunglasses made me think of the 80s or an Airplane spoof movie.
The device was on 'full auto-retaliate' pmsl.
Let me see, when the plane was shot down the cube armed with 72 hours on the clock....then someone told the military, they hunted down the lead, lets say a couple of hours passed, then he phones a guy climbing in the rockies and tells him to get the plane to Washington DC in the morning. Lets say thats at least 20 hour including flight time.....they have a briefing and then fly to Pakistan, get in a chopper and only 22 hours has passed.....I will return to this later.
The lead also manages a lot of beard growth during the flight yet no one else does.
Notice the chopper changes from Pakistan army brown to white when they get off
We climbed Everest in 16.5 hours and without oxygen - c'mon that's treating us like muppets ( I do like the real muppets fyi)
Random selection of ice axes, and yep, he slides on his back ignoring all basic winter climbing techniques. You go on your front and push down on the point laying your body across the shaft. If his crampons had caught he would have somersaulted not forgetting his already dislocated arm.
Oh 4 more hours gone, standing in a white out without face covering and jackets unzipped at the neck.....sorry why was he crawling up a marginal incline with an ice axe on his belly? Mysteriously appearing harnesses, yep the rope is blue but switches to red and back and forth. It has already been pointed out that the crampons disappeared and the doctor diagnoses internal damage through his gear. Loads of people without hats, and YES you do leave them to die if you have to.
Love the way they all disperse in different directions even though the path isn't checked and someone just fell down a hidden crevasse.
2 hours into night time allegedly, shot of some tents, two Russians standing up in a massive tent, also soundproofed. By my calcs they have another 8 hours of darkness leaving them 3 hours. More standy up size tents. Conversation outside, no wind, unzipped jackets, and vertical snowflake or two.
Not bad someone launched a missile and it took about 20 seconds to get into space.
Morning, the injured climber who has been drifting in and out of consciousness wakes up fresh as a daisy and moves around without a wince. Total lack of any protection on the lips, and no noticeable increase in stubble.
They set off without crampons at a casual stroll and no ice axes! Climbimg shots with goggles off, helmets appear and disappear along with changing kit.
The Major gets on a cellphone to talk to the president but seems to use a sat-phone at other times.
OMG a baddie appears in black with no gear save an ice axe - his trousers do change colour, and he ain't wearing climbing boots.his jacket also changes from black to dark navy budget nylon special.
Why are the two climbers in the tent sitting down wearing their rucksacks when one of them is expecting to be airlifted to hospital?
Some wearing harnesses some not, and casually strolling up the spur, and not roped together. Don't see any loops on the axes either. Lead woman's goggles have shrunk, and they aren't wearing crampons again.
Lol quick search for magic cube which is perched on a rock and hadn't been blown off over the last 2+ days. It happens to be across a gap, and as if by magic a bloody great launcher and a whole load of tackle appears to make a 'bridge'. The other end is anchored into snow with invisible screws I assume. If you look behind them the line extends beyond view in both directions.
The Major in the next scene looks like he is wearing a janitors coat with some ribbons stuck on it.
Accident, somehow the lead lady who cant climb up a rope wearing gear manages to unhook herself and climb over the point man who then gives up clinging on after 3 mins and falls to his death. Why didn't he grab the rope....because it disappears from under his nose literally.
Tried to spot the barrel of the gun but failed, and the base jumping scene with a hidden parachute is priceless.
This film should be watched by all prospective film students as a 'how not to' make a film. Not sure how many mistakes in this review but I have spent too much of my life which I will never get back watching it already. Hopefully some of my comments will help you enjoy the film.
Things I did like, some Lowe Alpine and Mountain Hardwear kit which is good gear are the stars.
Cheap filmwork and ripped noff scenes from other movies, you can spot the plots from miles away.
Technically pathetic from a climbing point of view, amateur climbers have better kit and dress sense than these 'pros'.
As a large bloke that does some ice climbing I can tell you there are very few big chaps climbing at this level, most are racing snakes.
The baddies in supposed winter assault gear have white suits black utility belts and black leather gloves - frostbite and visibly duh.
EMP just makes things stop working it doesn't make things spark, and sparks don't come in different colours!
Love the bit where the inept gunman is restrained and after a cheesy one liner the lead walks out into the road carrying an automatic weapon but the Police cruiser just lets him go by!
The Major with dark aviator sunglasses made me think of the 80s or an Airplane spoof movie.
The device was on 'full auto-retaliate' pmsl.
Let me see, when the plane was shot down the cube armed with 72 hours on the clock....then someone told the military, they hunted down the lead, lets say a couple of hours passed, then he phones a guy climbing in the rockies and tells him to get the plane to Washington DC in the morning. Lets say thats at least 20 hour including flight time.....they have a briefing and then fly to Pakistan, get in a chopper and only 22 hours has passed.....I will return to this later.
The lead also manages a lot of beard growth during the flight yet no one else does.
Notice the chopper changes from Pakistan army brown to white when they get off
We climbed Everest in 16.5 hours and without oxygen - c'mon that's treating us like muppets ( I do like the real muppets fyi)
Random selection of ice axes, and yep, he slides on his back ignoring all basic winter climbing techniques. You go on your front and push down on the point laying your body across the shaft. If his crampons had caught he would have somersaulted not forgetting his already dislocated arm.
Oh 4 more hours gone, standing in a white out without face covering and jackets unzipped at the neck.....sorry why was he crawling up a marginal incline with an ice axe on his belly? Mysteriously appearing harnesses, yep the rope is blue but switches to red and back and forth. It has already been pointed out that the crampons disappeared and the doctor diagnoses internal damage through his gear. Loads of people without hats, and YES you do leave them to die if you have to.
Love the way they all disperse in different directions even though the path isn't checked and someone just fell down a hidden crevasse.
2 hours into night time allegedly, shot of some tents, two Russians standing up in a massive tent, also soundproofed. By my calcs they have another 8 hours of darkness leaving them 3 hours. More standy up size tents. Conversation outside, no wind, unzipped jackets, and vertical snowflake or two.
Not bad someone launched a missile and it took about 20 seconds to get into space.
Morning, the injured climber who has been drifting in and out of consciousness wakes up fresh as a daisy and moves around without a wince. Total lack of any protection on the lips, and no noticeable increase in stubble.
They set off without crampons at a casual stroll and no ice axes! Climbimg shots with goggles off, helmets appear and disappear along with changing kit.
The Major gets on a cellphone to talk to the president but seems to use a sat-phone at other times.
OMG a baddie appears in black with no gear save an ice axe - his trousers do change colour, and he ain't wearing climbing boots.his jacket also changes from black to dark navy budget nylon special.
Why are the two climbers in the tent sitting down wearing their rucksacks when one of them is expecting to be airlifted to hospital?
Some wearing harnesses some not, and casually strolling up the spur, and not roped together. Don't see any loops on the axes either. Lead woman's goggles have shrunk, and they aren't wearing crampons again.
Lol quick search for magic cube which is perched on a rock and hadn't been blown off over the last 2+ days. It happens to be across a gap, and as if by magic a bloody great launcher and a whole load of tackle appears to make a 'bridge'. The other end is anchored into snow with invisible screws I assume. If you look behind them the line extends beyond view in both directions.
The Major in the next scene looks like he is wearing a janitors coat with some ribbons stuck on it.
Accident, somehow the lead lady who cant climb up a rope wearing gear manages to unhook herself and climb over the point man who then gives up clinging on after 3 mins and falls to his death. Why didn't he grab the rope....because it disappears from under his nose literally.
Tried to spot the barrel of the gun but failed, and the base jumping scene with a hidden parachute is priceless.
This film should be watched by all prospective film students as a 'how not to' make a film. Not sure how many mistakes in this review but I have spent too much of my life which I will never get back watching it already. Hopefully some of my comments will help you enjoy the film.
Things I did like, some Lowe Alpine and Mountain Hardwear kit which is good gear are the stars.
Well I liked this film
iancrockford-963091 February 2019
Suspenseful and Goofy at the same time.
tarbosh2200016 September 2005
"Sub Zero" is very entertaining. It's a silly spin on "Cliffhanger". The plot is about six climbers who have to deactivate a bomb on a mountain. The bomb looks like a Rubik's cube. If it goes off it will destroy the world.
You don't watch a Jim Wynorski movie (the alias this time is Jay Andrews) and expect a masterpiece.
The acting is above-average for this type of film, the performances that stand out are Linden Ashby and Nia Peeples. The cast looks like they are having fun with the script. The special effects aren't the greatest, but who cares.
In the end: If you want to laugh and be on the edge of your seat, you can't go wrong with "Sub Zero".
For more insanity, please visit: comeuppancereviews.com
You don't watch a Jim Wynorski movie (the alias this time is Jay Andrews) and expect a masterpiece.
The acting is above-average for this type of film, the performances that stand out are Linden Ashby and Nia Peeples. The cast looks like they are having fun with the script. The special effects aren't the greatest, but who cares.
In the end: If you want to laugh and be on the edge of your seat, you can't go wrong with "Sub Zero".
For more insanity, please visit: comeuppancereviews.com
bomb on a mountain
kairingler8 July 2013
interesting premise to start there is a bomb on top of one of the highest mountains in the world,, the president enlists the help of two top climbers in the world to get their butt up there and disarm it. beautiful mountain scenery,, it's almost like the mountain was a character in the movie. Costas Mandylor and Nia Peeples give pretty good performances as well. some decent avalanche footage in here as well, I went into this picture expecting action, thrills and some suspense, and guess what I got all 3 so anything else would be a bonus, like I said, it's gonna get a 5 because it's not a terrible movie at all, but not a great one either,, it's middle of the road for me.
Like a long slog through the snow
Wizard-814 July 2009
Warning: Spoilers
Not long after I started watching "Sub Zero", I thought, "Hey, this doesn't look too bad for a made-for-video movie." Not long after that, I saw some scenes that looked spectacular - TOO spectacular. I then remembered that Cinetel Films (which made this movie along with Lions Gate) notoriously uses footage from big-budget major studio movies. It didn't take me long to guess that most of the spectacular footage was from "Vertical Limit", and some on-line research I did after watching the movie proved me correct.
How was the rest of the movie, the parts with new footage? Well, after watching the movie, I can understand why the director used a pseudonym. The new special effects done for this movie are mediocre at best, embarrassing at their worst (check out the scene when one mountain climber slips and starts sliding down the mountain - very cheaply done.) The script has a number of faults as well. Over half the movie goes by before the protagonists get off their butts and start their mission. There are clichés, like the black guy being the first of the mountain climbing team to die. Then there are laughable bits, like the Russians shooting down a plane in the Mount Everest area (Russia is too far away from there!), and someone saying they climbed Everest in hours when it actually takes DAYS to climb the mountain! If there had been more laughable bits like those, I might have recommended the movie as an unintentional comedy. But as it is, it's one you can safely avoid.
How was the rest of the movie, the parts with new footage? Well, after watching the movie, I can understand why the director used a pseudonym. The new special effects done for this movie are mediocre at best, embarrassing at their worst (check out the scene when one mountain climber slips and starts sliding down the mountain - very cheaply done.) The script has a number of faults as well. Over half the movie goes by before the protagonists get off their butts and start their mission. There are clichés, like the black guy being the first of the mountain climbing team to die. Then there are laughable bits, like the Russians shooting down a plane in the Mount Everest area (Russia is too far away from there!), and someone saying they climbed Everest in hours when it actually takes DAYS to climb the mountain! If there had been more laughable bits like those, I might have recommended the movie as an unintentional comedy. But as it is, it's one you can safely avoid.
Thought it was a cool concept, hammed up greatly by cheesy special effects
bbickley13-921-586647 July 2014
The movie could have been an action packed sequel to Cliffhanger if Stallone wanted to do it.The movie even starts out like cliffhanger with one of the main characters loosing someone on a mountain climb.
After this, the basic premise is that of the best mountain climbers in the world being hired by the united states military to retrieve a weapon that crash landed on said mountain during a winter storm before it accidentally goes off. Of course, these climbers have to convince that guy that lost his love one in the beginning of the film to join the group. To add to the danger, they have little time to get there and someone on the team is willing to kill them in order to get the weapon for themselves.
It's a decent plot for a low budget action flick co-starring Nia Peeples who got her action chops on Walker Texas Ranger.
The special effects are kinda cheesy and make the movie laughable at times. Though the climbing scenes were okay despite the fact that a lot of it really looked like it was done on s sound stage, sometimes the action sequences were too complex for the FX department.
An okay action movie that could have used a little more action and less campy effects.
After this, the basic premise is that of the best mountain climbers in the world being hired by the united states military to retrieve a weapon that crash landed on said mountain during a winter storm before it accidentally goes off. Of course, these climbers have to convince that guy that lost his love one in the beginning of the film to join the group. To add to the danger, they have little time to get there and someone on the team is willing to kill them in order to get the weapon for themselves.
It's a decent plot for a low budget action flick co-starring Nia Peeples who got her action chops on Walker Texas Ranger.
The special effects are kinda cheesy and make the movie laughable at times. Though the climbing scenes were okay despite the fact that a lot of it really looked like it was done on s sound stage, sometimes the action sequences were too complex for the FX department.
An okay action movie that could have used a little more action and less campy effects.
Nia Peebles stuck climbing up a mountain when.....
davyd-0223721 December 2020
Suddenly down comes an avalanche! how she and her colleagues get off - you dont know! the action suddenly switches to a unit ontop of another mountain that gets attacked by a small group of russians who steal something that looks like a discoloured rubiks cube, they jump on a plane, which is shot down!.....does it get better? Wouldnt know, 10-12 minutes in and we reach for an off switch and the delete button. IS this the best FREEVIEW can offer? well, if it is dont bother...other than Ms Peebles no one else in the cast was familiar.....currently, watching repeats of some UK based Comedy series....which is superior to the previously mentioned Ms Peebles stuck avoiding an avalanche!
Not a sub par flick in my view, I really liked it despite some corniness
inkblot119 March 2017
John (Costas Mandylar) is one of the earth's top mountain climbers. He and a team which includes Kelli (Nia Peeples) love to scale whatever is hardest in the world. Yet, even he is not prepared for the US government to come calling for his help. It seems a Siberian "power cube" has been stolen and its destructive potential is enormous. Entire cities can be leveled by a push of a button. Fortunately, a plane that was carrying the cube out of the Russian wilderness was shot down in the sky. Now, guess what? The glowing golden cube is on top of K2 and its winter in the Himalayas. You guessed it, the USA leaders want John and his team to scale K2 under dangerous conditions and retrieve it before more damage can be done. Already, Havana is dust and rubble. Despite the tremendous danger, the team decides they will risk it for humankind. Will they be successful? Many viewers will probably agree with other critics, that this is a cheesy, low-budget, far-fetched thriller. OK, they are somewhat right. But, I still watched the enthralling climb to get this nasty little cube. Mandylar, Peeples and the others do quite well in somewhat stilted roles. This viewer especially liked Michael Ryan who played a cool, intelligent major. Naturally, the scenery is breathtakingly gorgeous while I found the story and production values more than adequate. Are you an armchair wannabe mountain climber who wouldn't risk the sport in the flesh? Sub Zero has some big vicarious thrills for YOU!
K2 North Face in WINTER for a neon Rubik's cube .... really? REALLY?
deborahjwood22 February 2014
I direct you to the plethora of reviews that point out the hilarity of the script, plot lines, acting, and stunts, the absolute impossibility of the political implications, horrible technicals in climbing (gear clothing, physical fitness, NO Sherpas, the EMP, ad infinitum) ALL add up to a totally ridiculous jaunt up a mountain chasing a glow in the dark Rubik's cube upon which the fate of the world rests.
All that being said NUMEROUS times, there is some magnificent footage of the mountains, avalanches, breathtaking, sweeping vistas that will either excite you, kick your death wish sporting sense into overdrive, make you wonder how on God's 3rd rock from the sun ANYONE considers mountaineering FUN BUT will across the board make you feel small and leave you awe struck.
If you go into this with a coupla joints, a bucket of salty buttery popcorn, a Big Gulp and absolutely nothing else to do on a cold rainy day you will not feel like you've been robbed of 90 minutes of your life -- It is what it is - a piece of straight to DVD B grade fluff made to entertain, not educate you on WMDs, mountain climbing, global political relations, or American clichés (and there are 85 minutes of clichés) - if you are looking for American Oscar worthy films, BAFTA contenders or even Golden Globe potential -- MOVE ON. if you like a train wreck of a film that will, if nothing else, entertain you - it's worth a watch... and ladies, you gotta admit the guys are HOT.....
All that being said NUMEROUS times, there is some magnificent footage of the mountains, avalanches, breathtaking, sweeping vistas that will either excite you, kick your death wish sporting sense into overdrive, make you wonder how on God's 3rd rock from the sun ANYONE considers mountaineering FUN BUT will across the board make you feel small and leave you awe struck.
If you go into this with a coupla joints, a bucket of salty buttery popcorn, a Big Gulp and absolutely nothing else to do on a cold rainy day you will not feel like you've been robbed of 90 minutes of your life -- It is what it is - a piece of straight to DVD B grade fluff made to entertain, not educate you on WMDs, mountain climbing, global political relations, or American clichés (and there are 85 minutes of clichés) - if you are looking for American Oscar worthy films, BAFTA contenders or even Golden Globe potential -- MOVE ON. if you like a train wreck of a film that will, if nothing else, entertain you - it's worth a watch... and ladies, you gotta admit the guys are HOT.....
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