Movie Review The Day After Tomorrow (2004)

 

The Day After Tomorrow | 2004 | 2h 4m
Genre: Disaster/Survival/Action/Adventure/Sci-Fi/Thriller | Country: US
Director: Roland Emmerich | Writers: Roland Emmerich, Jeffrey Nachmanoff
Cast: Dennis Quaid, Jake Gyllenhaal, Emmy Rossum
IMDB: 6.5
My Rate: 9/10

As climate change accelerates beyond expectations, Jack races against time to convince the government to take action and save countless lives. He must also outpace a frigid wave that threatens to freeze everything in its path to rescue his son, trapped amidst the chaos.

Warning:

Contains sensuality and strong language.

 

Synopsis:

Jack (Dennis Quaid), along with his colleagues Frank and Jason, experiences a shocking event while conducting research at the Larsen Ice Shelf. The ice shelf they are standing on collapses, signaling an extreme shift in the climate. Jack presents his findings and warns of a potential second Ice Age at the UN Conference in New Delhi. However, US Vice President Raymond Becker dismisses his concerns.

Professor Terry Rapson (Ian Holm) is intrigued by Jack's information. They continue discussing climate change outside the conference. Soon after, extreme climate change begins to occur worldwide. It starts with a hailstorm in Tokyo and drastic temperature drops in various parts of the ocean. Professor Terry tries to inform Jack.

Jack attempts to convince the Vice President of the impending danger. However, he is again disregarded. But Jack receives attention from Janet, who works with NASA. Janet helps Jack monitor and predict the time they have before everything turns to ice.

Meanwhile, Jack's son, Sam (Jake Gyllenhaal), along with his friends Laura and Brian, is stranded in New York. Their return from a competition is thwarted by a torrential downpour that engulfs the city. The heavy rain causes flooding and complete transportation and communication breakdowns. However, they have no idea that the weather and situation will worsen.

Will Jack be able to convince the government and save his son?

 

Review:

The Day After Tomorrow is a film inspired by the book "The Coming Global Superstorm" by Art Bell and Whitley Strieber, published in 1999. The film addresses the issue of global warming, a topic that was highly debated then and continues to be relevant today. The film caused a stir, with people believing it to be a sign of the world's end. After all, watching it, everything feels real, and imagine if it actually happened.

The film received criticism from scientists who argued that the depicted "Ice Age" scenario is impossible in reality. However, the film serves as a wake-up call to humanity in general and governments in particular, highlighting the unpredictable consequences of climate change if we fail to take it seriously. The storyline is relatable to human experiences.

The visual effects, a crucial element of the film, are executed exceptionally well. Everything feels real, not like computer-generated imagery. The music and sound effects enhance the tension during the viewing experience. This is a notable strength of the film. Perhaps the only slightly unrealistic element is the appearance of wolves in the middle of the film.

The acting is commendable. The character development is well-done. The conflicts and resolutions are handled effectively. The film includes scenes that evoke tension, sadness, and even laughter. However, some dialogue feels unnecessary, like the argument about which book to burn. Additionally, some characters lack depth.

Overall, the film explores various themes, including family love, friendship, romance, and even politics. If you enjoy sci-fi stories, this film is a must-watch.

 

Memorable Scene:

Faced with an impossible situation, Brian tells Sam that his father won't be able to reach them. However, Sam, with quiet determination, tries to believe and convince himself that his father will come for him, as promised. This scene demonstrates how faith can be a source of hope for Sam to persevere and fight. We often need a glimmer of hope to endure the challenges we face.

 

Memorable Dialogue:

"All depends on whether or not we're able to learn from our mistakes."

 

Ending:

Happy Ending

 

Recommendation:

Must Watch

 

(Aluna)