The Day After Tomorrow

Plot Summary

Jack Hall is researching how the environment effects our weather and how it will effect Earth in the future.  While on a mission to the polar cap, a huge section of ice collapses into the sea in front of their eyes.  At a subsequent conference Jack advises the Vice President of the USA of the possible dangers the planet will face within the next 100 years.  The Vice President is not terribly concerned about the possible dangers as they will not effect anyone in his life time.

Within the next few weeks something very strange starts to happen with the weather.  Hailstones the size of golf balls fall in Japan, there are terrible storms everywhere and there are tornados in LA.

Jack does further research and sees that the possible dangers that he predicted in the next 100 years are a lot nearer than he predicted...

Review

Something I found strange about the film was that there wasn’t much panic.  In other disaster movies such as Titanic, the actors show panic on their faces, scream and cling to each other, whereas in this film they just seemed to accept their fate and not be that bothered about it.  Because of this it was difficult to feel for the characters or really get involved in their plight.  Perhaps the action and special effects overshadowed the characters and story.

There were a couple of silly bits involving wolves that escape and turn nasty.  Also scenes of American flags freezing over that should have been ominous and symbolic but just seemed a bit unnecessary and cheesy to me.

In favour of the film I will point out the special effects were fantastic – especially the tidal waves which were extremely realistic.  As global warming is very topical and a very real threat to us I found I was uneasy watching it.  I was at the edge of my seat, but not in a good way.

Denis Quaid gives a good performance as Jack Hall.  Jack's son Sam is played by Jake Gyllenhaal and Jack returns to New York to save Sam who is trapped there after the storms hit the city.

Bottom line: A disaster movie with great special effects but lacks story and character.

Reviewed by Sharon Swift, Premier Movie Reviews 2004.

RELATED MOVIE REVIEWS:  DENNIS QUAID:  Cold Creek Manor,  Far From Heaven,  The Rookie.  IAN HOLM:  The Lord Of The Rings - The Fellowship Of The Ring.  ROLAND EMMERICH:  The Patriot.

Genre: Action Adventure

Certificate: 12's

Director: Roland Emmerich

~ Main Cast ~

Dennis Quaid

Jake Gyllenhaal

Emmy Rossum

Ian Holm

Sela Ward

RATING

ONLY IF YOU HAVE NOTHING BETTER TO DO