Pictures Gallery For The Day After Tomorrow

The Day After Tomorrow (2004)

Also known as "Tomorrow"
Overall Score: 6 out of 10

Where will you be?

Starring: Dennis Quaid, Jake Gyllenhaal, Emmy Rossum, Dash Mihok, Jay O. Sanders, Sela Ward, Austin Nichols, Arjay Smith, Tamlyn Tomita, Sasha Roiz, Ian Holm

Director: Roland Emmerich

Running Time: 124 minutes

US MPAA rating: N/A
UK BBFC rating: 12A
Action, Drama, Science Fiction, Thriller

In director Roland Emmerich's 'Independence Day' (1996), a boffin eventually defeats the space aliens that have wrought explosive havoc all over America (and incidentally the rest of the world) - without provocation. In 'Godzilla' (1998), a boffin eventually defeats the giant iguana that has rampaged through New York City's highrise - but the fact that the lizard's mutation was a product of exposure to Pacific nuclear testing hinted that humankind was just reaping what it (or at least what the French) had sown. And now in 'The Day After Tomorrow', there is yet more disaster and destruction on a truly massive scale all over America (and incidentally the rest of the world), only this time the enemy is global warming, the starring boffin is unable to do anything to defeat it, and the blame is placed squarely on the shoulders of Western consumerism and blinkered US governance. In other words, Emmerich's delight in sublime catastrophe may be consistent to the point of repetitivene ss, but at least the man is maturing politically.

A sequence of extreme weather conditions (snow in New Delhi, bucket-sized hailstones in Tokyo, spectacular tornadoes in downtown LA) leads palaeoclimatologist Jack Hall (Dennis Quaid) to realise that a new ice age is coming. His son Sam (Jake Gyllenhaal) becomes trapped in New York's Public Library when a tidal wave strikes the city, and is forced to fight rapidly dropping temperatures - and a pack of hungry wolves escaped from the zoo - while Jack and two colleagues attempt the perilous journey from Washington to find him.

'The Day After Tomorrow' has everything you expect from a disaster movie: personal dramas set against apocalyptic mayhem; lots of scenes set in control rooms (with no-one in control); recognisable public monuments being torn apart/flooded/buried under snow/snapfrozen; and episodes so preposterously daft that you just have to love them, as when Jack feels the need to explain the relationship between the North Atlantic current and the world's climate to a room full of meteorological experts, or when Sam and his friends outrun a towering wall of water (and later a fast-moving coldsnap). Silliest of all is the realisation that Jack has undertaken his journey not to save the good burghers of New York, nor even just to save his own son, but rather simply to prove that he can for once keep an appointment - making the final scenes of this film hilariously anticlimactic, as our hero is left with literally nothing to do except grin.

While Emmerich is really only going over visual effects already well covered by films like 'Deep Impact', 'Twister' or even 'Meteor', he comes into his own in battering his viewers with total sensory overload to convey the sheer, overwhelming scale of the devastation. The bass rumble which accompanies the wave rolling through New York is quite simply the most ear-splitting sound ever heard in a cinema, and if the film's cataclysmic, but occasionally ropey, CGI fails to humble you, the soundtrack might just succeed.

It is for its politics, however, that this film is most audacious, as it represents a direct attack on the refusal of the current US administration to reduce greenhouse emissions. Even if it is somewhat simplistic, 'The Day After Tomorrow' may have more impact on Bush's stance on the environment than any serious science could, as it terrifies its American viewers into doing something that the British have always enjoyed - talking about the weather.

It's Got: Widespread demolition of American cities beyond al Qaida's wildest dreams; fun environmentalist Bush-baiting; neat satirical scenes in which floods of US nationals are forced to cross the Mexican border as illegals; and weather conditions as cold as a brass monkey's proverbials (still, mustn't grumble).

It Needs: To be seen (and heard) in a decent cinema - without its scale, there would be little left but cheese.

Alternatives: 'Deep Impact', 'Meteor', 'Twister', 'The Twelve Monkeys'

Summary: At last the British get to see a film entirely about the weather. Overall Score: 6 out of 10

External Links

The Day After Tomorrow at the IMDB

Comments

48 Comments

Damn this is gonna be a kick ass movie!

Comment by:- Natalie B. | | 21 May 2004 | ip: logged

i've put lot's of pics from the world premiere of the day after tomorrow in berlin online at: http://www.am-ende-des-tages.de/g/040521_emmerich/

Comment by:- Stefan Krempl | www.aedt.de/ | 23 May 2004 | ip: logged

I saw it last night. It sucks. Just an excuse to spend zillions on special effects with virtually no credible story-line to hang them on. 1/10 (and that's being generous!)

Comment by:- Anonymous | | 25 May 2004 | ip: logged

Just seems to be a great movie !! 9/10

Comment by:- Anonymous | | 26 May 2004 | ip: logged

who cares about the events leading up to the end of the world. I want to see how people survive after. Bring back the purity of the true post apocalyptic genre. Not this pseudo science politicking crap. I'm getting a waterworld vibe from this one.

Comment by:- shanerohan | | 28 May 2004 | ip: logged

Emmerich et al are completely lame. Reviewers suddenly think this guy is "deep" because he's bashing Bush. When he was bashing the Brits he was jingoistic; when he was bashing aliens he was cartoonish; and when he was destroying Godzilla's image he was childish. But now that he's bashing Bush, all of a sudden he's got an "important message". Whatever. This movie blows, like all of Emmerich's films. Only reviewers with political agendas will think this movie is anything other than pure cheeseball.

Comment by:- sam | | 28 May 2004 | ip: logged

Funny that in all the press on this movie so far I haven't seen any comment on the play on the name. Maybe I haven't surfed enough. Anyone remember "The Day After" or am I just too darned old?

Comment by:- Cat Walker | www.catoutloud.blogspot.com... | 28 May 2004 | ip: logged

Yo don't mean "Sudden Impact", you mean "Deep Impact". Aka, the greast movie with the underwhelming effects budget.

Comment by:- Mike | | 29 May 2004 | ip: logged

I thought the movie was awesome. After seeing the movie, it had me interested in doing research to see if all of this was really gonna happen. I think that the move was well thought out and I give it a 9/10

Comment by:- Kristen | | 29 May 2004 | ip: logged

Whatever your attitude toward doomsday scenarios, try an impartial resource: http://www.doomsdayguide.org

Comment by:- ben | www.doomsdayguide.org... | 30 May 2004 | ip: logged

Nomatter what the hidden messages were in the movie, i.e. environmental, social issues or political issues, it is certainly one of the best films shown this year! 9/10

Comment by:- Dan | | 30 May 2004 | ip: logged

I loved this movie. i saw it with my dad on opening night and then again with some friends the next day. Usually im not the kind of person who sees movies twice, but this movie was worth it. I cant wait to buy it on DVD. IT ROKS!!!!!!! Rating: 10/10. Way better than Deep Impact and Twister and Armageddon. One come close Moovee is "10.5"

Comment by:- Leah | | 31 May 2004 | ip: logged

Saw the movie today with my family. The whole theatre were exclaiming how good it was. Great entertainment - but makes a good point that we have to take global threats seriously.

Comment by:- Elaine | | 31 May 2004 | ip: logged

Quite possibly the worst review ever written. I havent seen the film yet so i have been glazing over the net to find some unbiased reviews. I see that you are a Lynch and Takashi Miike fan (psst, check out the Pang Brothers) so you do have some taste in film. However, this attempt at reviewing a film has not swayed me in either direction. "It represents a direct attack on the refusal of the current US administration to reduce greenhouse emissions", i see nothing wrong with that and the fact that it IS audacious is commendable. Im suprised this movie was even released considering the fascism of Bush's regime. Just my two cents... Oh, one more thing, not everyone knows British slang, boffin.

Comment by:- Anonymous | | 31 May 2004 | ip: logged

the special effects in the movie are a joke, i felt like i was watching a cartoon, specially the CGI wolfs, they looked like some type of monsters from another planet. I didnt expect the movie to be true to science/life but the things that happened where straight out of a bad dream. specially the screen where the people are running from a cold current of air like it was some sort of monster,it was freezing ever thing in its path then finally they slam the door on it, How are they running from air?!! the water flooded the streets higher then most buildings and then even froze all with in day. and that was befroe the cold blast of air came down on them. this movie is a big joke and if you want to see a movie that will make you laugh for being very bad go and rent it when it comes on dvd if you dont mind wasted a few bucks on this super size heap of ****.

Comment by:- Anonymous | | 31 May 2004 | ip: logged

pimp juice #Movie Gazette Webmaster# Posted by an individual of truly awesome originality and unique wit from Washington D.C. I wonder if they have ever managed a full sentence in one go? ###################

Comment by:- Anonymous | | 02 June 2004 | ip: logged

Seems to me this is one of those movies where you either love it or hate it. I liked it. If you didn't, I'm not going to call you names and insult your intellect. Opinions vary. Otherwise NO ONE would go see the movie or EVERY ONE would go see it. It's a matter of taste. I found it rather entertaining, if not totally realistic in spots. Does everyone who saw Jurassic Park believe that dinosaurs still exist?

Comment by:- BeeFare | | 02 June 2004 | ip: logged

I have not got to see the movie yet but i want to becuse i head it so good and i would pay what ever ot see it.

Comment by:- little one | i think it look soooo cool!!!!... | 08 June 2004 | ip: logged

I have not got to see the movie yet but i want to becuse i head it so good and i would pay what ever ot see it.

Comment by:- little one | i think it look soooo cool!!!!... | 08 June 2004 | ip: logged

it seems to be a great movie and i want to go see it as soon as i get some time it look sooooo good!! so many people from work say that awesome.

Comment by:- the queen | i want to go see it | 08 June 2004 | ip: logged

i just saw the movie and it was soooooooooooooooooooooooooooo cool!!!!!!

Comment by:- Anonymous | | 08 June 2004 | ip: logged

THE FILM IS THE BEST I EVER SEEN!!! 11/10 it was that good, I will buy it on DVD and never stop watching it!

Comment by:- Robert Ward | mrrobward88.blogspot.com... | 12 June 2004 | ip: logged

Just watched the movie with my friend last night. Despite what many other people say, I absolutely LOVE this movie. The story line wasn't bad, it was so-so. The visuals, however, lived up to the hype. The scenes in the movie was gorgeous!!! Must watch! 11/10

Comment by:- Anonymous | | 14 June 2004 | ip: logged

i thought this movie was fantastic, i think it had something for everybody, it was scary, funny, romantic, dramatic and great. The special effects were great, acting was fantastic. The film had me inside it actually forgetting where i was at some stages. Although my butt went to sleep about 10 times coz of the length it was never boring. Certainly on my top 10 films.

Comment by:- megan | | 17 June 2004 | ip: logged

The Day After Tomorrow is one of the best movie ever.

Comment by:- Becky | | 12 September 2004 | ip: logged

I don't know yes :P,
today, Im going to buy it on DVD....but Im very curious ;)

Comment by:- Job | - | 06 October 2004 | ip: logged

I agree, the wolves were very badly animated but the scene with the ship (won't spoil it for others) was amazing. The sound it made was excellent and the sea as it licked around the buildings looked just like the real thing. It was cliched of course and overly sentimental in places but a great no-brainer action adventure film to see with mates or someone special. Don't forget the popcorn and sodas though!

Comment by:- Mitchell | | 08 October 2004 | ip: logged

Well, I just watched it tonight and I think this movie is pretty good ... yes yes, all the big expedition to save his son and everything ... omg why didn't they take the helis just from the beginning, the only thing they had to avoid was the "eye" of the typhon sort of big windy thing (some people could say it's too windy for the helicos, but remember the scene when the three helis freeze down and crash ? well they had no problem flying before getting to the "eye") Anyway, it was pretty good... the special effects were superb, except for the damn wolfs !! what the heck are those wolfs !?! the graphs were good, but they looked like the evil werewolf in harry potter 3 lol... I give it a 7.5/10 cause the general idea is good (even if it's a bit repetitive) and maybe they could make another movie to see what's going on during this new ice age... (overpopulation in the south ? ^_^) Well I know that was long... got any question or comments ? my e-mail is right down there.

Comment by:- M /\ C | | 11 October 2004 | ip: logged

well hum... no e-mail address then ^_^
PS : "nicmac888@hotmail.com"

Comment by:- M /\ C | | 11 October 2004 | ip: logged

IT WAS A GOOD MOVIE. MY SON IS NOW TALKING ABOUT IN HIS SCIENCE CLASS.

Comment by:- Anonymous | | 12 October 2004 | ip: logged

A true comedy - yes, comedy. I laughed through the whole movie. Although the special effects were interesting, most of the content was unbelievable to say the least. To keep this short, I'll only comment on the most unbelievable. Living in a cold area where the temperature reaches -30F at least a few days of the year, there were many aspects of their handling of the cold that I found funny. The biggest of those being the fact they burned BOOKS!!! Even my 11 year old son noticed the wood bookshelves and chairs and tables. The least they could do was try to make it look like the brainy kids also had a little common sense. If you're looking for a little reality in a disaster flick - don't bother with this movie.

Comment by:- Cold | | 13 October 2004 | ip: logged

I have to an analitical exposition on this movie and i liked it to begin with then i watched and read it to much now im sick of it but yeah it is a good movie

Comment by:- turtle | | 15 October 2004 | ip: logged

Its a great movie and was not what I expected from the preveiwes. But everyone should watch it and make their own judgement. Ps. i did buy the DVD after i watched at at the movies.

Comment by:- jess | | 15 October 2004 | ip: logged

Watch the movie and judge for yourself!

Comment by:- you | | 15 October 2004 | ip: logged

the movie was maddd

Comment by:- maria | | 21 October 2004 | ip: logged

The movie was great I've never seen any thing like it before

Comment by:- Victor Franz | None | 05 November 2004 | ip: logged

It was great, great, GREAT

Comment by:- Lolu Awa | Not telling you | 05 November 2004 | ip: logged

It was rubbish never seen something so bad.

Comment by:- Post man Pat | CBeeBies | 05 November 2004 | ip: logged

This movie was ****ing garbage.

Comment by:- Rupert | | 07 November 2004 | ip: logged

I personally liked the movie. The grphic where great, very realistic. I'm writting an english paper on it. I have to compare the government reaction in this movie and Deep Impact. Well anyways, the movie could have used a better story line, there was the drama and everything there but it was just a little cheese. The funniest parrt of the movie for me was when Sam Hall, ,after talking to his father, when under water and Laura Chapman just stood there, they had the camera on her face for what felt like an eternaty, I kept thinking tomyself, ok when is she gonna jump in there and save him! The woorst parrt of the movie in my opinion was the wolfs, I agree, they do remind me of the warewolf in Harry Potter.

Comment by:- Julie | | 08 November 2004 | ip: logged

Oh and not to be rude or anything, but about burning the books, the books probably would have been the first thing i would have thought of burning, seruiously, why would you want to go through all the trouble of moving bookshelves (which were probably attached to the walls) and then having to take them apart! The chairs and tables I could see but that still would mean taking them apart. The books were the easiest thing you could use. And think about this, you have only junk food to eat and you don't know how long you'll be trapped in a library, you need to conserve your energy! Why would you put yourself through so much trouble!

Comment by:- Julie | | 08 November 2004 | ip: logged

I'm posting this a little late, I suppose. I just watched "The Day After Tomorrow" the day before yesterday. :-P

As far as the movie as a whole is concerned, it was quite entertaining indeed. As far as substance is concerned, well, it was a little lacking (obviously). I could go into the ends and outs of why the movie was lacking scientifically speaking, but I'm certain the ridiculous nature of the movie "science" speaks for itself.

Regarding the political mumbo-jumbo, I think this movie actually serves to invalidate what may be a legitimate scientific argument (e.g. the enhanced greenhouse effect and global warming). It is a caricature of real science, so I'm certain most people are more apt to dismiss the forecast of doom and gloom.

Real weather is so much cooler! I have had dreams of multiple tornadoes, but I can assure you (as one who has seen several real tornadoes), that the L.A. tornado scene couldn't have happened in Oklahoma, let alone L.A.! The storms that produce tornadoes are much more awesome in appearance. (check out http://www.mesoscale.ws/04~documents/#040529)

Comment by:- boomer sooner! | | 26 November 2004 | ip: logged

heyhey
i thought this movie was just a waste of time!! DONT SEE IT!! all it is about is weather and that is it!! there is no point to the movie or anything and it doesnt make any sense!!
PLZ LISTEN TO ME AND DONT WASTE YOUR TIME!!

Comment by:- jessica black | | 16 December 2004 | ip: logged

AH! THE MOVIE SUCKS!! HEHE !! @#^#$^&!!!

Comment by:- sandy a | | 16 December 2004 | ip: logged

THIS MOVIE FRIGGIN SUX ^%&*!!! NEVER GO SEE IT!!! YOU WILL FALL ASLEEP LIKE I DID!!

Comment by:- whitney brown | | 16 December 2004 | ip: logged

this movie was fuken **** i bought da fuken dvd for my ****en birthday and wht did i get from the film no satisfaction

Comment by:- Anonymous | | 03 January 2005 | ip: logged

this movie was fuken **** i bought da fuken dvd for my ****en birthday and wht did i get from the film no satisfaction

Comment by:- dilpreet | | 03 January 2005 | ip: logged

this movie is awesome
u must go see it

Comment by:- matt30 | | 30 May 2005 | ip: logged