Open Writing

Versatile writer, director and producer, Roland Emmerich is known for huge event movies like Independence Day and Godzilla but he has also directed films based on long held literary premises.

One such movie was Stargate which supposed that early human civilisation was contacted by alien cultures. Erich Von Daniken is just one of several authors to have written about the topic which was very popular a few years ago.

Emmerich got the idea for The Day After Tomorrow after reading a book on climate change called "The Coming Global Superstorm" by Art Bell and Whitley Strieber while filming The Patriot.

It suggested that a series of events (some man-made) which lead to global warming could eventually trigger an Ice Age.

This is the cue for the usual wholesale destruction of recognised landmarks such as the Hollywood sign and the Statue of Liberty and the flooding of Manhattan although the budget doesn't appear to have stretched to other landmarks. Film fans around the world can, however, check out the poster advertising which shows places like Big Ben after 'The Big Freeze'.

Actions fans shouldn't expect the usual Emmerich rollercoaster ride based on the trailer, however, as this is more a disaster movie in the 70s vein rather than a pure summer popcorn movie.

As you might expect, some scientific liberties have been taken in order to make the film that much more dramatic - it's mainly the timescales involved as you would never expect to see such dramatic climatic events happening in such a short space of time.

The biggest surprise about this film is the firmly Green stance it takes against the developed world's general attitude towards the environment and global warming. Even though there are so many cliches and stereotypical 'film moments' used in the film they only serve to simplify the illustration of the consequences that the world faces through not paying attention to environmental issues.

They even go so far as to make a point about US politics including a dig at certain real life US politicians and amusing scenes of reversal as Americans desperately try to flee (illegally) into Mexico towards the end of the film as the northern hemisphere succumbs to the extreme cold.

Although the global scale of the story means that the science has to be dealt with in broad strokes. The film concentrates on the story of a climatologist (played by Dennis Quaid, who is developing into a fine actor in his middle age), trying to reach his son (played by Jake Gyllenhaal). There is plenty of time given to show the plight of ordinary people caught up in extraordinary situations.

There is room for an appearance by Ian Holm who plays a noble British scientist who provides Quaid's climatologist with the data he requires to make an accurate model of the situation to present to the US President. You know the film is directed by a European when it features a snippet of action from a Champions League match between Manchester United and Celtic.

This is not a story with an entirely happy ending, though. There is no Bruce Willis in a Space Shuttle to save the planet and despite all the human stories threading their way through the global disaster the film ends on a slightly downbeat note as mankind starts their recovery.

Overall, a thoughtful and entertaining movie.

Check it out at: http://www.thedayaftertomorrow.com/.