I’ve always been fond of the post-apocalyptic film genre and though disaster movies don’t normally fit within the narrow confines of that slant, The Day After Tomorrow firmly entrenches itself within its border. So, with a little time on hands, and a local theater which lends itself to good amenities and small crowds, I took in a late show.
The movie starts off calmly enough with concern over global warming and the threat of a massive climate shift effecting humanity. Of course, the projected 80 to 100 year estimate comes crashing down when a severe shift happens within days. The entire northern hemisphere is affected. Though the script is by no means epic in nature, nor are the actors winning any awards, the true protagonist of the film lies within its excellent, compelling and believable CGI weather effects – truly exceptional to behold on the big-screen.
The effects begin benignly enough with large chunks of ice hitting Hong Kong, a thick snowstorm or two over Northern Europe but things quickly ramp up with a massive wave washing over downtown Manhattan, multiple tornados ripping Los Angeles apart and panic gripping the nation. By the time scientists manage to inform the Executive branch that everyone north of Texas needs to be evacuated south, weather havoc is in full swing. The film rounds out with a soft rescue mission where father-finds-son in the now snowy wasteland which was once New York City (can’t NY get a break?!).
Obviously this film takes a suspension of disbelief approach to modern weather effects but imprints those violent storms on the mind quite well. There are a couple of short soap-box moments where I was told just what a bad person I am for driving a petroleum consuming vehicle but they pass quickly without too much pain. All in all, I found this movie enjoyable and probably worth seeing on the big screen. I would not advise paying full price so if you can bag a matinee then have at it.
Finally, on that Original Headshot scale, it earns a STRONG Six mostly for effects and a moderately compelling storyline. Enjoy.