Review of Deep Impact (1998) by Christopher A — 26 Feb 2011

Deep Impact is a movie depicting one of those scientific end of the world theories (by meterories, asteroids, etc.). While most of those type of movies are visual action flicks, this movie is actually one of the few end of the world films that are actually good as far as substance, drama, and acting.

The movie begins with the discovery of a comet that was heading towards the Earth by astronomers Leo Biederman (Elijah Wood) and Marcus Wolf (Charles Martin Smith). Marcus tries to alert the world to the threat, but is killed in a car crash.

A year later, Jenny Lerner (Tea Leoni), a news reporter, investigates on a possible relationship between the recently resigned US Secretary of the Treasury (James Cromwell) and a woman named "Ellie." However, she soon discovers, much to her horror, that "Ellie" is not a woman, but is actually E.L.E. (Extinction-Level Event), an event that can result in the end of mankind. Seeing that she knows the truth, US President Tom Beck (Morgan Freeman) reveals to the public the Earth's pending doom, but also tells them that they will send a spacecraft they name the Messiah (an obvious reference to Jesus Christ saving the world) to destroy the comet with nuclear weapons. However, in the event that the mission fails, the Earth will prepare for the worst. They will have 1 million living in underground shelters for two years. At the same time, Leo and Lerner will also have to deal with their own social issues in their own lives. Will the Messiah succeed, and if not, will the Earth survive?

Unlike most apocolyptic movies, this one actually intends to be serious instead of being a visual extravanga. The story revolves around the social problems of the Earthlings instead of on the astronauts who are going to save their home planet from destruction. It can also be moving at times, like when Leo and his lover (Leelee Sobieski), Sarah Hotchner trying to run to higher ground while her parents watch and her mother is in tears.

The acting is good overall. Elijah Wood does a fair job as Leo Bierdman before his rise to fame as Frodo Baggins in the phenomenol Lord of the Rings trilogy. Maximilian Schell does an excellent job as Jenny's father. Morgan Freeman is the best actor as he plays the US president and steals the show in every one of his scenes. Tea Leoni is the weakest link in the movie, though.

Serious and sad, Deep Impact is one of the few really good and convincing end of the world movies out there.