Alternately generating adrenaline and ennui, Vertical Limit battles itself to a hard-earned draw.

The pace of the movie rarely flags (neither does the idiocy, alas) and it's enough to warrant a marginal recommendation.

This is a movie that means to keep you involved and, preferably, gasping from start to finish . At that, it certainly does succeed.

Despite an avalanche worth of cliches, the over-the-top nitroglycerin-fueled action and a dramatic rescue attempt premise allow for a big, fun movie experience set on the gorgeous but dangerous snowy peaks of Pakistan.