Writer/Director: Roland Emmerich
Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Ian Holm and Emmy Rossum
‘A Breathtaking Disaster Blockbuster’
Over the past decade, the disaster movie genre has faced declines in quality. Like Titanic ships that sink to the bottom of the sea, disaster movies are no longer the successful films which they once used to be. With their loud action, poor storytelling and lack of emotion, I always find disaster movies to be a painful chore to sit through. The main problem is that these movies always focus on spectacle over storytelling. The main highlight of these movies is always special effects rather than storytelling. The focus on dazzling special effects leaves little room for strong character development. Therefore, there’s no doubt that disaster movies aren’t the success that they once in the past used to be anymore. Very few disaster movies nowadays are worth watching.
In a genre that has slowly fallen out of fashion over time, Roland Emmerich’s “The Day After Tomorrow” stands out as exception. Released in 2004, Emmerich’s movie is one of those rare disaster movies that everyone can appreciate. Emmerich deftly uses the disaster genre to tell a compelling story about climate change. Boasting effective production-design, awe-inspiring action and phenomenal acting, it’s one of those rare disaster films that works on every level. Although “The Day After Tomorrow” is undeniably entertaining, it isn’t a flawless film. It’s unevenly paced and lacks a strong sense of character development. That being said, it offers exhilarating entertainment that fans of disaster movies won’t be able to resist.
“The Day After Tomorrow” tells the story of a climate disaster that causes the world to face sorrow. Dennis Quad embodies Jack Hall, a climatologist that discovers evidence of a climate disaster. Jack embarks on a dangerous mission to warn the world about a climate catastrophe. However, Jack’s dreams to prevent a forthcoming tragedy is impacted by a global warming catastrophe. With his oldest son (Jake Gyllenhaal) caught amidst the climate catastrophe, Jack is put under a state of anxiety. As the fate of humanity is thrown into uncertainty, Jack begins to question whether his family would ever be able to survive a climate catastrophe.
Roland Emmerich is fascinated with disasters. Before he directed “The Day After Tomorrow”, Emmerich was known for making unforgettable disaster movies. His previous film “Independence Day” offered a look at scientists struggling to find a way to survive an alien invasion with a price to pay. With “The Day After Tomorrow”, however, the filmmaker made his first climate blockbuster. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to create a climate change disaster blockbuster, but he succeeded. Through strong cinematography, Emmerich captures a man embarking upon a journey to prevent climate catastrophe. Visually, the movie is a breathtaking feast for the eyes. Emmerich uses handheld camera to capture a climate change dilemma. The handheld camera is expertly used to convey disasters which cause a dilemma. Through breathtaking visuals, Emmerich creates a climate change catastrophe which proves frightening.
Another admirable aspect of “The Day After Tomorrow” is the practical effects. For a film made during the early 2000’s, the movie has aged beautifully. Emmerich effectively utilizes practical effects capturing a climate change catastrophe. For instance, powerful practical effects elevate the tornado sequence. During this unforgettable scene, Jack experiences a terrifying tornado catastrophe that proves to be frightening. One acknowledges immersive practical effects which bring a climate change disaster to life. Practical effects are tricky. Most movies capturing disasters are driven by CGI rather than using practical effects. That being said, the speical effects work tremendously in this movie. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. Harold Gloser’s music is magnificent. It gives the movie an intense and suspenseful atmosphere. Through engrossing production, Emmerich creates a breathtaking film about climate change destruction.
Amid the breathtaking action, it’s a shame that “The Day After Tomorrow” finds little time to tell a compelling story. Emmerich’s choices to focus on the spectacle of disaster leaves no room for strong character development. Despite the fact that they are portrayed by world-famous actors, we are seldom given strong reasons to care about any of the characters. To given an example, Jack Hall is a wooden character without any substantial character development. We’re scarcely given a strong reason to care for Jack beyond the fact that he’s a person that’s committed toward career. To be fair, most disaster movies are driven by a sense of spectacle rather than story. However, any disaster movie needs a great story to work well. While “The Day of Tomorrow” offers an abundance of spectacle, it leaves no room for any storytelling which is meaningful. Due towards its poorly written screenplay, “The Day After Tomorrow” is one of those disaster blockbusters which isn’t going to be guaranteed to blow everyone away.
Thankfully, though, the fantastic performances from the cast keep the film from falling apart. The actors do their best with the material they are given even when it’s not a lot.
Jake Gyllenhaal delivers one of his best career performances as Jack Hall. Gyllenhaal achieved appreciation for playing troubled teenagers in tense psychological thrillers. With “The Day After Tomorrow”, however, he portrayed his first character in a disaster movie. It isn’t easy to embody a hero which endures a climate catastrophe, but the actor succeeds tremendously. With captivating expressions, Gyllenhaal embodies the angst, frustration and resentment of a man caught amidst a climate change catastrophe. Even when the movie is falling apart, Gyllenhaal remains a watchable actor that always keeps the viewer engaged. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the most talented actors working in the film industry today.
The supporting cast is stellar, and also worthy of recognition. Dennis Quad is dazzling, bringing humanity to a palaeontologist afraid of the fate of the world that’s threatened by an ice age leading his dream of protecting his family to fade. Emmy Rossum is excellent, capturing the bravery of a woman which is determined against all the odds to survive disastrous climate change catastrophe. Lastly, Ian Holm merits recognition. As an aging scientist, he brings gravitas to the movie.
Despite its strong performances, however, it’s a shame that “The Day After Tomorrow” can’t quite capture a dire climate change disaster. If there’s a shortcoming to the movie, it lacks engaging pacing. Emmerich’s decision to use exposition is bold but doesn’t succeed. Due toward this faulty technique, scenes focusing on scientists explaining complicated climate concepts are not as engaging as Jack’s mission to survive a catastrophe. Whereas these exposition scenes elevated Christopher Nolan’s “Inception”, they clash with this movie. Exposition elevates sci-fi movies rather than disaster blockbusters. In this regard, “The Day After Tomorrow” falls short of the greatest movies ever made about disaster destruction.
In the end, “The Day After Tomorrow” is a fun but formulaic disaster movie that doesn’t quite work. A captivating blockbuster, it proves that it’s possible to make an entertaining movie about a climate disaster.
Nearly 20 years following the release of an iconic blockbuster about determined climatologists seeking to prevent a climate change disaster causing terror, it’s a powerful reminder of an underrated film that changed the world forever through its poignant predictions about climate change which remain relevant today that proved it’s possible to make an effective blockbuster about disaster without resorting to mindless thrills suggesting that disaster movies haven’t lost their abilities to attract audiences to the theatre.
3.5/5 stars
The Film Buff 
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