Plot: The earth's core stops spinning, causing deadly electromagnetic phenomena throughout the globe. The end result will be the destruction of all life on the planet by way of deadly cosmic radiation. The only hope for mankind is for a team of scientists and engineers to singlehandedly jumpstart the core, burrowing to the depths of the planet with an experimental, high-tech vehicle.
Critique: If not taken the least bit seriously, "The Core" works as a mindless action movie. The science is plainly ridiculous (I'm willing to be corrected on this, but I don't think a few nukes would have any effect on the earth's core, and I'm not even going to ask how that ship was able to maintain contact with mission control). For the purposes of this film, however, it doesn't matter. In fact, I suspect that hacker subplot was deliberately put there as a signal that no one involved in this project took it seriously. The performances are earnest, though Alfre Woodward (whom I will always think of as Lily from "Star Trek: First Contact") is completely wasted and D.J. Qualls (the guy from "Road Trip," no less) simply doesn't belong here at all. Overall, I'd say that Hilary Swank and Stanley Tucci (as a brave astronaut and cocky scientist, respectively) come of best, or at least they made the biggest immediate impressions on me. On the other hand, leading man Aaron Eckhart didn't really impress me with his performance here, though he's game. I suspect he's more at home with character acting. Some of the special effects are obviously computer-generated, but overall this movie will adequately serve as summer escapism.
Rating: 6/10 or (**1/2)
Released by Paramount Pictures
Critique: If not taken the least bit seriously, "The Core" works as a mindless action movie. The science is plainly ridiculous (I'm willing to be corrected on this, but I don't think a few nukes would have any effect on the earth's core, and I'm not even going to ask how that ship was able to maintain contact with mission control). For the purposes of this film, however, it doesn't matter. In fact, I suspect that hacker subplot was deliberately put there as a signal that no one involved in this project took it seriously. The performances are earnest, though Alfre Woodward (whom I will always think of as Lily from "Star Trek: First Contact") is completely wasted and D.J. Qualls (the guy from "Road Trip," no less) simply doesn't belong here at all. Overall, I'd say that Hilary Swank and Stanley Tucci (as a brave astronaut and cocky scientist, respectively) come of best, or at least they made the biggest immediate impressions on me. On the other hand, leading man Aaron Eckhart didn't really impress me with his performance here, though he's game. I suspect he's more at home with character acting. Some of the special effects are obviously computer-generated, but overall this movie will adequately serve as summer escapism.
Rating: 6/10 or (**1/2)
Released by Paramount Pictures