"VERTICAL LIMIT" is an all-out action/adventure film, beginning with one nail-biting mountain climbing scene, and moving onto others until the film's equally tense conclusion.  Sure, it puts all of its emphasis on action rather than on any sense of character growth or self-introspection, and its plot is cartoonish, but it works!  Bill Paxton plays a really greedy corporate owner, willing to risk the lives of mountaineers and anyone standing in the way of his publicity-targeted climb.  As teams get separated, people fall to their death, avalanches occur and even explosions occur, the suspense just mounts and mounts!   This is a great action film from the director of "MASK OF ZORRO" and other great films!  Chris O'Donnell, Bill Paxton, and Scott Glenn are all fine, but it's the stunts and effects that steal the film. 

COLUMBIA TRISTAR has released this titles as part of their SuperBit Collection.  A 1.85:1 aspect ratio with 16:9 enhancement, has been presented again for this release.  While the earlier version looked terrific, this SuperBits edition is sharper in almost every possible way.  There's just so much more depth and clarity to every single frame!  The opening sequence is a heartstopping one!  Now, with the SuperBit image, the awesome perspective of what the climbers can see brings about much more suspense than was the case with the "non" SuperBit title.  The contrast is also improved, with blacks that are much darker than in the previous version. 

COLUMBIA TRISTAR has made their SuperBit titles include a DTS track.  "VERTICAL LIMIT" is a fine example of how DTS can offer major improvements over their Dolby Digital counterpart.  Everything about the DTS version is bigger, clearer, and more effective in comparison to Dolby Digital.  As with most DTS tracks, the bass is also broader and with more depth.  This is an aggressive soundmix! From beginning to end, surround and directional effects glide across the speakers in a fully three-dimensional effect that never ceases to amaze the viewer.