One last day…Where would you spend it? Probably not watching this movie. Don’t get me wrong if you’re looking for an example of what modern CGI is capable of then by all means go see this one. If you’re not boning up for your special effects in the movie industry midterm then I’d stay away from this until it comes out on DVD. There’s nothing to learn on storytelling, dramatic impact, or plausibility with alternate realities.
Did I say the special effects are spectacular? Oh, yeah, well it bears repeating because it is the only thing going for it. Coupled with a well produced sound effect track the theater itself feels like it is being ripped apart by the coming Ice Age.
The problems in this film are insurmountable. The most important of which is a lack of caring for any of the characters. There wasn’t anyone in this film to like or especially care about. The performances were flat, probably having more to do with a lack of a script than talent. The dramatic tension didn’t make sense; the government fails to take action even after the sky begins to fall. And the list goes on and on.
What’s amazing to me is that this film made 180 million before the Harry Potter release. There are better disaster films to watch. One thing is for sure, Ronald Emmerich has shown he is no Irwin Allen. Independence Day and Godzilla are far better movies than The Day After and that is saying quite a bit.
