Deep Impact Review

Deep Impact, despite some improbable elements, sets its sights somewhat higher than a lot of big special effects movies these days. It poses the question - What would happen if a huge comet was hurtling through space towards earth threatening all life as we know it? Attempts would be made to destroy it - and they certainly are in this film with Robert Duvall and a team of space experts heading out to nuke the bastard. But if this fails, what then? US President Morgan Freeman has contingency plans - underground bunkers have been prepared for one million people, most of whom are to be selected randomly. Among those chosen to survive are TV reporter Tea Leoni who`s disillusioned about life because of her parents` divorce - they`re played by Maximillian Schell and Vanessa Redgrave, and young astronomer Elijah Wood who was the first to spot the comet. But what effect does this have on the rest of us?...Despite the fact that Deep Impact is working on a fairly broad canvas it`s surprisingly effective at hitting an emotional nerve. The screenplay by Michael Tolkin and Bruce Joel Rubin delves into situations rather than character and director Mimi Leder is obviously anxious to get to the main event - a tidal wave that engulfs America`s East Coast. Deep Impact reminded me of those old World War 2 movies with heroism of the human spirit triumphing over the special effects and body count. I ended up being moved by the experience.