Deep Impact (1998) IMDB: http://us.imdb.com/Title?Deep+Impact+(1998)
This film had me worked up for weeks in preparation. "Morgan Freeman as President - brilliant casting decision!" "Ooh...those effects look great!" "I haven't seen this plot before!"
Meanwhile the forces that be were dictating that this would be yet another formula thriller trying desperately to reach at the viewers' heart until the moment of great letdown. For that's what this was: Another formula action picture that couldn't decide whether it wanted to be a deep sympathetic drama or a spectacular, Independence Day, effects blast. In the end, it grazed both sides, but never made it to either.
The winding plot begins by showing a young astronomer (Elijah Wood) discovering a new comet in his high-school astronomy club. Fast-forward 10 years and we find a reporter for MSNBC (Téa Leoni) trying to break through into the broadcast chair. She stumbles onto word of a vague, conspiracy-type story, and wants to break it to the world. We learn that the government has known about the comet for some time. They also know that the comet will crash into the earth within a few years. Of course, they've been planning for the impact for some time. They've dug huge caves that can withstand the impact and house survivors for 2 years, in which time the earth will recover. Only there's only enough room in the caves for 2 million people. The rest of the movie is spent watching the impact of the comet and the implications it holds for all the characters.
I know that I'm missing something here, but there's no way I could tell it all without giving away the entire movie. There are some astronauts (one brilliantly played by Robert Duvall) and a love story and some childhood wrongs finally righted...
There lies one of the major problems of the movie: It knows that it has to do everything, and it tries. Only it can't do it in its 2-hour time span. Questions about many of the characters remain - "Why? How? Huh?"
There are a few bright spots - Robert Duvall gives a pretty good performance as the captain of a space mission to try and deflect the comet. He comes across as a genuine guy - The Great Santini flying high in space. Morgan Freeman also gives a spectacular, but brief performance as the President. If only he had more to do! His character portrayed the kind of politician I'd like in the office of President.
The graphics are pretty good in this film too. The shots of the comet hitting, and the shots in space are well done. The most memorable one is from the end - a shot of the newly destroyed Capitol building. It was haunting.
Overall, this film was a good thriller for a Saturday night, but I expected more from the commercials. It has its moments, but overall, "Deep Impact" was disappointing to me. Do yourself a favor - save your money from the tickets and rent this film when it comes out on video. You'll be a lot happier.
My rating (out of 10): 5.5
Matthew "The Kid" DeMizio http://www.hsbr.org
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