Reviews - CORE

In the last few years, the production value of climbing films has changed a lot. Chuck Fryberger’s latest offering, CORE, takes it a step further by being the first climbing flick shot in HD and Blu-Ray. The high quality of the pictures taken, however, is not the only thing that makes this a movie you should have on your shelf. Fryberger gives special attention to the athletes featured in the film. The development of the climbers’ personalities is worked in evenly with the footage of them actually climbing, so you get to know their lifestyle and individuality. Fryberger tracked some great climbing with spotlights on Nalle Hukkataival’s V15 in Rocklands, South Africa, Matt Wilder’s 5.14 gear route on the Devil’s Thumb in the Flatirons in Boulder, Colorado, and a Fred Nicole first ascent that’s taken him years to finally tick. What came out the other side is a movie that motivates you to get out there and climb but keeps you entertained enough to watch it until the end before you race out the door in search of your own adventure. For a video that combines well-crafted, unique shots of intense and inspiring climbing and a storyline that brings humanity to the featured rock crushers, CORE should definitely be a part of your collection. — Andrew Tower