The Day After Tomorrow – All Access Collector’s Edition
Picture: B
Sound: B+ Extras: B Film: C-
I have a complex relationship with this film. Because my dissertation research is on the
role fictional films play on framing issues of science, I invariably must view
and study films like The Day After
Tomorrow. In fact, the amount of
attention that The Day After Tomorrow
received from the scientific community, in particular climatologists
encouraging a public response to global warming, forced me into dedicating an
entire chapter on the film. Yes, the Day After Tomorrow provides a
stunning and frightening vision of runaway global warming and yes, the public
conversation on climatic change has reached a fevered pitch (evidenced by Al
Gore’s new documentary and the scores of television specials that highlight to
overwhelming scientific evidence of global warming), however the film’s
over-the-top depiction of the Northern Hemisphere turning into an ice cube
within days and its pedestrian acting (by a rather talented cast) could
jeopardize its environmentally conscious message.
In the tradition of The
Day After and The China Syndrome,
Roland Emmerich (Independence Day, Godzilla) combines exciting
cinematography and engaging special effects with a politically astute storyline
to render a narrative to shake the public from its apathetic state. The story follows a humble paleoclimatogist,
Jack Hall (Dennis Quaid) who has enough scientific evidence to suggest that the
Earth may soon experience a rapid climatic shift. His theory: our voracious appetite for fossil fuels has polluted
the atmosphere with so many greenhouse gases that the continued warming will
trigger global superstorms that rapidly triggers a new ice age. In typical Hollywood fashion, Dr. Hall warns
the United States government of the risk associated with continuing our policy
of environmental irresponsibility and dedication to economic growth based on
oil consumption. Expectantly, the Vice
President (bearing a striking resemblance to Dick Cheney) eschews Dr. Hall’s
call for an environmentally friendly economic policy. Shortly after getting rebuffed, the Earth shows signs of extreme
weather changes. The global superstorms
quickly follow. These storms are so
large that air from the upper levels of the atmosphere is quickly pulled down
to the Earth’s surface creating a flash freezing effect (the deep freeze serves
as the blob/Jaws character).
Aside from a hokey story of Jack Hall attempting to rescue
his son (Jake Gyllenhaal) in New York (which experiences a heavy dose of our
frozen menace), the film barters in dramatic, yet scientifically suspect
occurrences. The film is correct in
suggesting that we have ample evidence to prove the existence of global warming
and that there exists the possibility of global warming precipitating a
climatic change that could usher in a new ice age. Likewise, the film properly isolates the political dynamics that
often relegate scientists’ warming of impending danger absent a more
sustainable energy policy to the margins of political discussions. However, global warming skeptics profit from
arguing that the film’s depiction of global warming is so absurd that its
proves that the fears of global warming are just products of alarmist rhetoric
(virtually every credible scientists suggests that rapid global warming would
take place over decade, not weeks let alone days).
The special effects are indeed good. I understand why
scientists and other activist groups (MoveOn.org) adopted The Day After Tomorrow to spread word about the dangers of global
warming: climate science is based in informed predictions about environmental
changes that occur over a long period of time, and order for the public to
appreciate the necessary sacrifices to wean ourselves from unsustainable fossil
fuel consumption, you must clearly demonstrate the consequences of failing to
act. The destruction of Los Angeles
with tornadoes and a tsunami that freezes New York City certainly accomplishes
that goal (many of our blockbusters quench a thirst for destruction, but Roland
Emmerich’s penchant for disaster elevates the forces of annihilation to
hyperbolic proportions).
This DVD is replete with special features. However, I am not certain the number of
extras warrant a new special edition (like many of you, the studio’s money
grabbing racket of releasing a “special edition” months after a bare-bones
version really chaps my hide). With
that said, the extras are quite good.
There are two feature length commentaries: one with the director Roland
Emmerich and Producer Mark Gordon and another with special effects and
production design folks. Furthermore,
the film takes its environmental message quite seriously. The DVD includes an hour-long documentary
where climatologists discuss the film and its scientific veracity. Moreover, they explain the mounting
scientific evidence that demonstrates the existence of human-induced global
warming and the dangers of inaction.
The two-hour film boasts an exceptional widescreen
presentation in its anamorphically enhanced 2.35 X 1, though the Super 35
shooting and digital work are more common now.
This holds up well enough. The
best soundtracks are fine 5.1 DTS and Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround, but the DTS
is superior and marks yet another Emmerich film with demo-quality sound along
the lines of Independence Day and The Patriot. Overall, the
movie is what it is: fun, spectacular, silly, and mildly ambitious. With tongue planted firmly in cheek,
Emmerich delivers what he does best, eye candy that satiates a public’s mild
sadistic tendencies. This time, he
hopes the saccharine treat provides mild intellectual nourishment.
- Ron Von Burg
