This could have been a great Disaster Movie - but .....

Rating: 4/10 (8 June 2004)

*** Very Minor Dialogue Spoiler ***
When will the Hollywood "Disaster" movie makers realize that 'Special Effects' alone will not make a great film?
Every single big-budget film of this genre follows the same pattern · Character (or situation) warns of disaster ahead · Suspense-filled prelude to the disaster occurring · Disaster occurs · Incredible special-effects of the aftermath of disaster · Heroic, indefensible actions in the face of titanic odds · Sacrifice of several lovable characters · Cheesy ending · (and speaking as a Brit) God Bless America!!!
This film should have been a classic. · The premise was plausible (watch the Discovery Channel) · The cast assembled was good · The special effects team were superb · The direction was passable. · The film looked great.
BUT · Why were the scriptwriters allowed to create such appalling storyboards and scripts? · Why did we have to endure such farcical, paper-thin, cliché-ridden characters? · Where were the two nuns whose role is always to comfort a dying child - they were sorely missed?
I did however manage two guffaws - · the first when it was suggested that Mexico had decided to allow refugees across their borders as a result of the USA cancelling their debts to American banks · the second when there was an announcement that Third World countries would happily welcome the influx of millions of refugees.
Despite all this - I did enjoy the special effects within this film. They are probably among the best I have seen.
However - Score 4/10 Not good enough  must try harder!!!