Suspend a little disbelief, recline your seat, and enjoy it

Rating: 8/10 (28 May 2004)

Okay, let's get past the big stumbling block first: In real life, no matter how fast global climate change occurs, we probably won't go from the here-and-now to an ice cube in a week. So let go, and suspend disbelief in that one aspect of this movie.
If you've succeeded at that, then you'll probably enjoy this movie quite a bit. It's a well-done action thriller with a great first two-thirds or so, although it does peter out a bit in the last third. And it certainly zings right in to one of the central issues of the whole global climate change debate: Why do certain American officials (who coincidentally may look and act a lot like Dick Cheney) ignore the science until it's far too late?
I don't want to give away any spoilers so I won't discuss much of what happens, but if you've seen "Ice Age", you'll certainly be amused by the business at the very start of the film. After that, though, things get very serious very fast. The action is dramatic, and fast-paced. Don't just recline your seat, but be sure to fasten your seat belts and stow your tray tables as well.
Because of this, and because of the political courage shown merely in the making of this movie, then even in the face of the weak last third, I'll give this movie 8 out of 10.