Deep Impact (1998)

deep sentiment in deep impact
I realize that I am a few years late in offering this review. But, I still enjoy this movie very much. When it first came out at the cinemas, I saw it 4 or 5 times, which is probably a record for me.
Why did I love this movie? Perhaps the main reason is that I love astronomy and I know that a comet could, indeed, hit our small planet with dire consequences. Second, I loved the "realism" of the acting and script. Third, I loved the music score by James Horner. It was much better than the score to "Titanic." Fourth, I loved the photography. Did anyone notice how often the camera focused on "hands?" This movie is an essay in "hand signals." For example, a slight twitch of the fingers by Morgan Freeman (the president of the US, here) was enough to demonstrate the anguish within him. Fifth, I like movies that deliver on the emotional level, rather than movies that are entirely centered on action, blood, and guts. There are so many genuinely tragic moments in this film that it was hard to keep my feelings held within.
If I must list a negative aspect of this film, it would be that the portion of the film in which the astronauts are getting ready for their mission is too long and somewhat boring. Perhaps much of this footage could have been cut.
Otherwise, this was a great movie, in my estimation.

Rocks fall! Everybody dies!
"Deep Impact" was THAT OTHER "rock hits earth,bad things movie" that opened a decade ago. Mimi Leder,in her directorial debut,decided to turn an otherwise happily campy disaster movie into something deep&meaningful. It's deep&meaningful if you watch Lifetime. It's supposed to be from a feminine,relational perspective rather than the gallant phallocentric "Armageddon." If so,women should be offended.

"Deep Impact" plods its way through the comet plowing its way to Earth. Instead,we get treated to at least four storylines (yes,fanfiction makes more sense) Tea Leoni stars as a reporter from MSNBC whose elderly astronomer father (Maximilian Schell,far from his glory days) has gotten a trophy wife. Vanessa Redgrave is heartfelt as Leoni's mother,soldiering through her husband's abandonment and a lousy script. It's as if she were in another movie. Leoni,in the meantime,sleepwalks. Through the whole movie. In the meantime,President Morgan Freeman is dealing with the incoming comet. His performance is truly brave-since he's carrying the film. He's the Designated Actor. Elijah Wood stars as the boy astronomer Leo Biedermann,Schell's wunderkind. His performance consists of staring ("gives a blank look" would fit in a Deep Impact drinking game) In one hilarious moment,Leelee Sobieski,who stars as his girlfriend,runs to his side weeping,after Freeman gives his "this is the end of the world as we know it (and I feel fine)" speech. He looks ahead-blankly. No reaction whatsoever. Finally, Robert Duvall appears as an astronaut onboard the Messiah. He brings sincerity to his performance. He's moving when he faces the end.

There are SOME positive aspects to the movie- Morgan Freeman's "end of the world" speech is actually quite moving. Freeman stands out. Robert Duvall embodies self-sacrificing heroism. Vanessa Redgrave does a great job as the scorned wife. There are some good special effects at the end-but they are too little,too late.

"Deep Impact",unfortunately,is a terribly boring movie. Lifeless performances (especially from Leoni&Wood),a sappy script, going overly long make it painful to sit through. "Armageddon" is superior since Jerry Bruckheimer was clearly having fun&didn't take himself too seriously. He didn't attempt depth. "Deep Impact",however, attempts to be deep,but is abysmal and has the depth of the kiddie pool. However, "Deep Impact" is a great cure for insomniacs.

Rocks fall! Everybody dies!
"Deep Impact" was THAT OTHER "rock hits earth,bad things movie" that opened a decade ago. Mimi Leder,in her directorial debut,decided to turn an otherwise happily campy disaster movie into something deep&meaningful. It's deep&meaningful if you watch Lifetime. It's supposed to be from a feminine,relational perspective rather than the gallant phallocentric "Armageddon." If so,women should be offended.

"Deep Impact" plods its way through the comet plowing its way to Earth. Instead,we get treated to at least four storylines (yes,fanfiction makes more sense) Tea Leoni stars as a reporter from MSNBC whose elderly astronomer father (Maximilian Schell,far from his glory days) has gotten a trophy wife. Vanessa Redgrave is heartfelt as Leoni's mother,soldiering through her husband's abandonment and a lousy script. It's as if she were in another movie. Leoni,in the meantime,sleepwalks. Through the whole movie. In the meantime,President Morgan Freeman is dealing with the incoming comet. His performance is truly brave-since he's carrying the film. He's the Designated Actor. Elijah Wood stars as the boy astronomer Leo Biedermann,Schell's wunderkind. His performance consists of staring ("gives a blank look" would fit in a Deep Impact drinking game) In one hilarious moment,Leelee Sobieski,who stars as his girlfriend,runs to his side weeping,after Freeman gives his "this is the end of the world as we know it (and I feel fine)" speech. He looks ahead-blankly. No reaction whatsoever. Finally, Robert Duvall appears as an astronaut onboard the Messiah. He brings sincerity to his performance. He's moving when he faces the end.

There are SOME positive aspects to the movie- Morgan Freeman's "end of the world" speech is actually quite moving. Freeman stands out. Robert Duvall embodies self-sacrificing heroism. Vanessa Redgrave does a great job as the scorned wife. There are some good special effects at the end-but they are too little,too late.

"Deep Impact",unfortunately,is a terribly boring movie. Lifeless performances (especially from Leoni&Wood),a sappy script, going overly long make it painful to sit through. "Armageddon" is superior since Jerry Bruckheimer was clearly having fun&didn't take himself too seriously. He didn't attempt depth. "Deep Impact",however, attempts to be deep,but is abysmal and has the depth of the kiddie pool. However, "Deep Impact" is a great cure for insomniacs.