English Dub Review: The Summit of the Gods

Overview: Fukamachi (Darren Barnet), a reporter, begins his search for a camera that may hold the clues to the last exploits of a famed mountaineer when it leads him to another cliff climber that is still looking to accomplish feats of his own in that of Joji Habu (Rich Tang)

Our Take: Man overcoming great adversity. One of, if not the most, universally tried-and-true stories throughout all of media and entertainment. The film adaptation of Yumemakura Baku’s seminal work delves into those that are defined by such goals with little room for anything else. 

Fukamachi, a reporter looking to uncover the events surrounding a past mountaineer, eventually becomes wrapped up in the hidden truth that he discovers about himself that goes beyond his work that another long forgotten mountaineer, Habu, has already become subservient to. The Summit of the Gods does not focus on unique, specified character building in the traditional storytelling sense. Those particular aspects take a backseat to how it chooses to define the main characters of the story through the binding philosophical idea, for certain individuals throughout humanity, in that of always climbing to greater heights. Which, in this case, is reflected through Mount Everest, both a literal and figurative challenge. The narrative throughout makes no attempt to definitively answer why it is that people continue the desire to triumph or contribute any sort of logical reasoning. However, that is to its strength in how it leaves a bit of ambiguity in that it is an innate feeling that cannot be fully plotted out. With that being said, it ironically leaves something to be desired in how it never fully commits to the development of all the harsh repercussions that are bred from that thought process and why those are necessary casualties as it’s characterized. While it is a naturally humanistic problem that is thought-provoking and understandable, it lacks some complex emotional development in the process. 

A small cast but spectacularly voice acted nonetheless with subtly poignant performances across the board led by Darren Barret as Fukamachi and Rich Tang as Joji Habu. French animation studio Folivari Mélusine Productions’ animation and art direction are yet another star of the show with a detailed painterly anime style that beautifully brings to 90’s cityscapes, technology, etc. as well as mountain landscapes with immense scale and depth to life. It also helps that there is excellent real-world weight to how characters move when trekking along cliff sides and mountaintops especially with the help of realistic sound designs like that of carabiners snapping into place or crampons piercing ice. The music, similarly to the animation and English dubbing, conducted by Amine Bouhafa strongly evokes that which is calming yet introspective. 

Director Patrick Imbert has adapted an impeccable story with some of the best French talent at the helm steering the ship with beautiful visuals and memorable music. It may not perfectly execute the main theme to its fullest potential but it does elegantly enough that, just like the view from atop the summit, it is a one of a kind sight to behold.