The Cover

Despite the high minded, ecologically tuned and politically aware pedigree, the film is just one big dumb action movie. Don't forget that it's from the makers of Independence Day, and Godzilla. Like those films, it's more concerned with showing pretty pictures on the screen instead of telling a compelling story. Because as interesting, and engaging as it is, a whole movie cannot rest on getting to see LA get destroyed by a series of tornados.

Dennis Quaid plays Dr. Jack Hall, a scientist whose theories on the creation of the least ice age, prove to be rather helpful in predicting what's going to happen next in the environmental disaster. His son (his name is Sam Hall, is Sam Hall. Damn his eyes) is stuck in the ensuing ice age as the snow fills New York.

The problem with The Day After Tomorrow is that for the exception of disasters, nothing really happens. People try to survive, there's some action, but that's about it. They stupidly try to outrun the weather, keep warm and figure out just what the hell is going on with Mother Earth. Instead of that very straight forward concept, I wanted to see more post-apocalyptic survival stuff like they suggested in Fight Club: hunting animals in the jungle, laying out strips of meat to dry on the highway. Instead what we get is Jake Gyllenhaal holed up in the library burning books to stay warm. Not exactly the most invigorating of plots, that's for sure.

Still, there's a lot to like. The scenes of New York getting wiped out by a giant tidal wave and a plane turbulence sequence are actually heart pounding. I could tell you a lot about how this film could have been much better, but why bother? It's an action movie that tries to charm you with funny and strange disasters. Sometimes it even works, while at others, it's completely ridiculous (the wild wolves, anyone?)

Movie Grade: C

Video: 4 out of 5
It looks great, as to be expected for a big budget action movie. But some of the CGI is pretty cheesy, bluescreen looking.
Widescreen Anamorphic - 1.85:1

Water is a-flowing.

Audio: 4 out of 5
Naturally, the DTS track kicks ass. Woo-ha.
English (DTS 5.1), English (Dolby Digital 5.1), Spanish (Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround), French (Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround

Extras: 2 out of 5
Surprisingly blah, given the very cool (3D-esque) DVD cover. Two commentaries are the only thing on this disc, which I don't get, because there's so much FX, practical and otherwise, that I would love to see more. There are a few DVD-ROM features, but who's looking at that stuff anyway? Oh, and some limp deleted scenes.

Overall: 3 out of 5
It's not a bad presentation, and the movie is enjoyable in that stupid-funny sort of way. Be amazed by the tornados, laugh at the creeping frost, and marvel at how much Jake Gyllenhaal looks like Toby Maguire.

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