A good but mixed up save-the-planet movie

Rating: 8/10 (15 June 2000)

Enjoyed this action, puppy love romance movie. The save-the-planet plot is great, but the little subplots or character personalities makes it somewhat unrealistic. The actors do a good job of depicting the people that the story calls for, but they're a little more off the wall than what is believable.

Why is it any time a Hollywood movie has to put together a group of ordinary, hard working, regular joes (men) they have to have weird and out-in-leftfield personalities. This is the case in this movie. Not to give away part of the movie, but I find it surprising that in the days before actual liftoff that none of the "guys" quit or kills himself, as is the case most of the time when real people are thrust in such a demanding spot.
Bruce Willis is very believable in his role and made me cry when he had to. The plot twisted very nicely and the special effects were adequate in making me believe in the rock in outer space. Billy Bob Thorton did a good job and I am gradually gaining respect for his ability as he seems to have just appeared over the last few years. The actor who was the pilot of Bruce's shuttle did an exceptional job in projecting his character, and the unhearlded role of the cosmonaut, who is a major factor in the movie is great. Ben Affelat was somewhat lame, but that could have as much to do with the way his character was written than with him. His love interest in the movie did her part as the ungrateful and big-headed daughter who eventually but too late turns around returning her love for her father. Never knew how important the word "Daddy" was till this movie.
Worth seeing and the bigger the screen the better. Great popcorn eating movie. Would discourage being drunk when watching it cause one could get a headache or worse from some of the rides.