It's SUPPOSED to be mindless entertainment!

Rating: Null/10 (29 May 2004)

Ok come on people, if you've watched Emmerich films before you know that the man is big on visual effects and small on science and TDAT is no exception. Don't go expecting Oscar level acting or deep character development.
Having said that, if you turn your brain off, sit back and enjoy it, you are in for a hell of a ride. I admit I'm a sucker for large scale destruction and well, it doesn't get much larger than this!
There aren't many movies that can sell on visuals alone but this movie is eye candy at its finest. Seeing New York frozen over and Los Angeles destroyed by tornadoes is actually very enjoyable. The Dennis Quaid character is pretty stereotypical of these movies, although he doesn't do a terrible job with it.
But really, you don't go to movies like this for the characters, you go for the big bangs and this film has plenty of them. Like I said, it's supposed to be mindless fun, but in this case there is a message behind it all. Global warming is a real threat and, although extreme, this movie puts the spotlight on the human impact on the environment.
If you aren't keen on shelling out to see this movie at the theatres (the visuals play really well on the big screen) at least consider renting it on DVD because it's one of the better B-movies out there.