Despite Science, Disaster Movie Has A Lot of Heart

Rating: 7/10 (25 January 2019)

30 May 2004. Spectacular effects along with good characters and smart script regardless of the science. Finally, a movie comes along that has the excitement and thrills of disaster of disasters along with a strong characters and a good relational development that is usually lacking in most disaster movies. Usually the stereotypical Airport or Earthquake movie is mostly bypassed in this movie except for the poor and downtrodden and a dog. But people die...sometimes unexpectedly...but realistically and poignantly.
The fusion of a good story along with a fantastic backdrop makes for a definitely superior kind of movie. Dennis Quaid comes through as does Ian Holm. There is a spattering of humor in the right places to ease the tension, but unlike most movies it is done with tact and is never over the top - mostly real, informal humor. While there are a few unbelievable sequences and the specific science controversial, the entertainment value and the fundamental premise are intact.
11/11/07 - post-script: The special effects fail to hold up on the small screen, allowing the more pedestrian script weaknesses to make more of a presence. While the over commentary remains the same, some of the glamour and big splashy physical experience and impact have become dull. Likely Seven out of Ten Stars.