Laura Chapman: Everything I've ever cared about, everything I've worked for, it's all been in preparation for a future that no longer exists. I know you always thought I took the competition too seriously. You were right. It was all for nothing.

The Day After Tomorrow (2004)

Directed by Roland Emmerich
Dennis Quaid as Jack Hall
Jake Gyllenhaal as Sam Hall
Emmy Rossum as Laura Chapman
Dash Mihok as Jason Evans
Kenneth Welsh as Vice President Becker
Sela Ward as Dr. Lucy Hall


The Storyline / plot

Jack Hall is a climatologist that has been studying the effects of global warming. Jack had been trying to develop possible weather models and forecasts due to the continued use of fossil fuels. Jack Hall was an authority on the subject of global warming. As the last ice age was thousands of years ago, there was nothing solid to base any models on. Politicians who had no answers just blew off Dr. Halls warnings as speculation and conjecture. Even Dr. Hall was wrong when the super storms stared to develop because of global warming, things went down hill extremely fast. Hall believed that the onset of an ice age would develop at a slow pace.

When mother nature decides that she has had enough, there is nothing slow about anything. Four super cells begin to develop as the current in the Atlantic ocean changes. What scientists thought would take months or years was happening in a matter of a few days. Huge twisters, tidal waves, and three huge hurricane like super cells begin thrashing the earth. Jack’s son, Sam is stranded in New York and Jack will do what ever it takes to save his son.


Quotes From The Day After Tomorrow

Jack Hall: Our climate is fragile. The ice caps are disappearing at a dangerous rate.
Vice President Becker: Dr. Hall, our economy is every bit as fragile as the environment. Perhaps you should keep that in mind before making sensationalist claims.
Jack Hall: Well, the last chunk of ice that broke off was the size of Rhode Island. A lot of folks would say that was pretty sensational.

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Conclusion

I was not sure if I would like this movie. The Day After Tomorrow received mediocre ratings, so I was not expecting anything spectacular. I was pleasantly surprised and really enjoyed the movie. It seems that Emmerich is getting better with age. Not only did he direct this movie, he wrote it as well. I started to take note of Ronald Emmerich when he directed Universal Soldier twelve years ago. Since then Emmerich has directed several blockbusters such as; Stargate and The Patriot.


I thought the film was very good for several reasons. First off, the movie was original. I have never seen anything quite like it. Furthermore it concerns a subject that is very realistic and quite frankly a little scary. The subject matter of global warming is a very serious issue that may eventually have catastrophic consequences. This subject matter will leave any reasonable viewer thinking about using fossil fuels for days after seeing the movie.


Global warming makes me scared for our children. Needless to say, the subject matter definitely caused me to do some thinking on the issue. The special effects in the film are second to none. What they can do with special effects these days are amazing! Giant cyclones ripping through Los Angeles, one hundred foot tidal waves crashing through New York, just to mention a couple of the scenes are very realistic. These special effects are really something to see.


The cinematography was over shadowed by the many special effects in the movie but above average nonetheless. I say it is above average because the cinematography blends very well with the special effects of the film. It genuinely appears to be cataclysmic ice age. The cast was decent. I enjoyed the acting of all involved. Dennis Quaid, along with Emmerich also seems to be getting better with each film. I was never a serious fan of Quaid until his part in Frequency. Quaid’s acting in Frequency was outstanding and his acting in this film was very good as well. The supporting cast all played their parts well.


I think the majority of the credit would have to go to Ronald Emmerich for this film. Emmerich wrote a very interesting and entertaining piece of work. Then he turned it into a action packed and thought provoking movie. Emmerich did an excellent job of directing in this film. For the story, the acting, the directing and the spectacular special effects, I give The Day After Tomorrow four of five stars.

Similar Movies

• The Day After
• Threads
• Fail Safe

Runtime: 2 Hours 3 Minutes
Rated: [PG-13]

Thanks for the read,
~Mac

©2004 Joe McMaster

Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older