Frank's film tip: Ain't no mountain high enough for the incredibly photographed IMAX film "Kilimanjaro: To the Roof of Africa"
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Supposedly, there are some films that boast about wanting to whisk their audiences away to exotic locales in an attempt to capture their imagination. Well, in producer/director David Breashears's dazzling and exquisite adventure/nature piece "Kilimanjaro: To the Roof of Africa", he accomplishes the feat of transporting viewers into a breathtaking venue that countless many have tried to intimately experience in their lifetime. Breashears, the filmmaker who previously co-produced and co-directed Everest, takes the moviegoer on a fascinating journey through the spectacularly tough but scenic terrain involving the mighty famed impressive African mountain known as Kilimanjaro that stands confidently and prominently in the northeastern Tanzanian skyline.

Much like some effective IMAX 70mm films do, they have the ability to rescue mesmerized onlookers from the theater seats and place them at the unbelievably lavish scene being viewed with their incredulous eyes. It's safe to say that Breashears diligently brandishes "Kilimanjaro: To the Roof of Africa" with noted enthusiasm and opulence. The consensus is that Kilimanjaro is a 45-minute test of endurance all packaged in an enduring, noteworthy and resourceful showcase of the human will at work along with the challenge of nature's calling.

We are introduced to a handful of high-spirited trekkers attempting to climb the ominous mountain while all of them are maintaining a sense of understandable optimism and wide-eyed amazement. The group is led by Jacob Kyungai, an experienced and youthful 50-year-old mountain guide. Kyungai, we ultimately learn, is no stranger to the perils and sheer wonderment of Kilimanjaro. Entrusted in his care is an eclectic crew of hikers: an exuberant 13-year-old native named Hansi who practically lives in the shadow of Kilimanjaro (he can see the massive rock from his bedroom window), a 12-year old Massachusetts girl named Nicole who cannot believe she's actually in Africa along for the memorable ride, a 64-year old award-winning author and historian named Audrey, a 23-year old Danish model/artist named Heidi, and English professor Roger--an expert in geological studies.

In addition to the vibrant photography that captures the allure and potency of Kilimanjaro's masterful essence, the film is very crafty in the way it feeds us the gritty, educational tidbits. Yes, we're told that this mountain's summit has an incredible reach of 19,340 feet above sea level. And a statistic is revealed that half the folks who set out to conquer Kilimanjaro aren't as resilient enough to make the rough-and-tumble trek. As a reminder, the climbers are exposed to the selection of human and animal remains scattered about the land that signifies this is no pleasurable field trip by any means. It's a sobering wake up call that reminds one this is in no way, shape or form a journey to be confused with Disney's Space Mountain! Also quite unfortunate are the altitude sickness problems that come into play regarding the group's health-related concerns.

From the hikers and their candid perspectives about battling various ecosystems and the overall adverse elements to the histrionics and visually compelling makeup that is this astonishing African mountain, "Kilimanjaro: To the Roof of Africa" is a charming gem of a film that both radiates and gleefully informs. This is one imaginative celluloid travelogue that effectively works on your senses.

Frank rates this film: *** 1/2 stars (out of 4 stars)

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