In the face of relentless natural disasters, "Tomorrow" portrays humanity's vulnerability against the grandeur of nature, prompting reflection on our stewardship of the Earth.
Introduction
Synopsis
Memorable Scene
Review
Conclusion
Introduction
The film "Tomorrow," a standout among disaster movies, depicts humanity's helplessness in the face of rapid climate change, as disasters unfold, from the destruction of LA by a massive tornado to New York City being submerged by a colossal tidal wave and frozen over by an immediate cold snap, humbling human achievements before the grandeur of nature. While the visual spectacle of the film's special effects is striking, it's remarkable to consider which director could boldly incorporate such scenes into a film, especially involving the United States' primary cities. Interestingly, the director of this film is the same individual responsible for the destructive scenes in previous movies like "Independence Day" and "Godzilla." Furthermore, the film serves as a reminder to be mindful of the increasingly urgent issue of climate change and to appreciate the current environment we inhabit.
Synopsis
The movie "Tomorrow" deals with the concept of a "Snowball Earth," amidst the disruption of ocean currents due to the melting of ice caps in both the Antarctic and Arctic regions, becoming a flagship film that raised global awareness of climate change following its release. Directed by Emmerich, known for his disaster films, this movie stands out as one of his relatively well-received works.
Dr. Jack, while on an expedition in Antarctica, detects unusual climate changes, leading to a crisis when an iceberg splits apart, but his colleagues manage to rescue him and safeguard the core samples at great risk. Jack then warns of an impending Ice Age as ice melts, ocean temperatures plummet, and the flow of ocean currents shifts, covering the entire Earth in ice, but his warnings go unheeded. Meanwhile, Jack's son Sam heads to LA with Laura for a quiz contest but encounters turbulence due to freak weather conditions caused by "Tomorrow."
Later, a massive tornado engulfs Los Angeles, signaling the onset of the disaster. As anomalies like hailstorms in Japan and the drastic drop in ocean temperatures spread worldwide, Jack receives news of a 13-degree decrease in ocean temperatures, confirming his fears of an impending Ice Age.
Despite bureaucratic obstacles, Jack insists on rescuing his son in New York City, where Sam seeks refuge in a library, enduring the cold by burning books for warmth. Amidst perilous journeys and hardships, Jack reunites with Sam at the library, and fortunately, the Ice Age subsides, preventing further catastrophe. The film concludes with a scene of relief and gratitude, as the president acknowledges the resilience of the people in facing the disaster, while Jack departs for the heavily affected North for relief efforts, marking the end of the movie.
Impressive Scenes
"Tomorrow" stands out as a masterpiece in the disaster movie genre. Its depiction of catastrophic events caused by climate change remains impactful, even when viewed years later. The film utilizes Hollywood's special effects to the fullest, providing viewers with captivating visuals. Below are some of the scenes that leave a lasting impression:
- The overwhelming scene where the New York subway and the city's library are submerged by a massive tsunami is iconic. Whenever a similar disaster involving tsunamis occurs in subsequent disaster movies, this scene comes to mind.
- Another remarkable scene is the one in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward, where hailstones the size of bowling balls rain down. Witnessing such large hailstones falling from the sky was mesmerizing when I first watched the movie, and it remains intriguing to this day.
- A scene that stands out is when a colossal tornado ravages Los Angeles, tearing down buildings as if they were made of paper. Personally, I vividly recall the movie "Twister" from years ago, which made me realize the power of tornadoes. This film portrays the tornado's ferocity superbly.
- However, the most unforgettable scene in this movie is when the freezing cold, like a monstrous entity, relentlessly chases the protagonists, instantly freezing everything in its path. As the Earth plunges into an ice age, the depiction of characters being pursued by this cold, reminiscent of being chased by a villain, remains etched in my memory. Particularly striking is the sequence where British Army AS532 Cougar helicopters attempt to rescue the isolated royal family from a palace, only to be frozen mid-air one by one, along with the rescue personnel who attempt to exit the helicopter, freezing to death. It's a chilling scene.
Overall, "Tomorrow" is a film that leaves a profound impact with its depiction of the Northern Hemisphere's transformation into an ice-covered wasteland and the brink of annihilation faced by the United States due to rapid climate change.
Review
After watching this movie, I felt that it was quite different from traditional disaster films. While it's undoubtedly armed with dazzling visuals, it diverges from the likes of "Armageddon," "Deep Impact," or "The Core." I pondered over why that might be, and I realized that this movie lacks traditional heroes.
Conventional disaster movies often feature special teams from the United States venturing out to save the Earth from imminent threats, forming the main storyline. "Tomorrow," however, takes a slightly different approach. The director effectively devastates America, his own country, within the confines of the movie. Initially helpless in the face of immense calamity, the characters are left to their own devices until the disaster inexplicably dissipates in the end. The movie's message is clear: protect nature. There's not much of a plot to follow; instead, it shows how the protagonists survive the unfolding disasters without any heroic feats. There's no triumph over the disasters; nature simply retreats on its own.
Despite relying heavily on spectacle and a message to support it, the film's message holds significant value. Rather than contrived endings and unbelievable tales of overcoming disasters, experiencing the grandeur of nature humbly is enough to make this movie worth watching.
When it comes to disaster movies, "Tomorrow" stands out as a classic, even after nearly two decades. Another representative of disaster films, "2012," is undoubtedly impressive and offers plenty of visual spectacle. However, "2012" is essentially a fictional portrayal of Earth's end. On the other hand, "Tomorrow" deals with a disaster that, while immense, could feasibly occur in reality. At the time of its release, such events seemed unimaginable, but over time, the content of the movie has become closer to reality. People are losing their lives due to climate change and succumbing to diseases. Consequently, some even argue that the director of "Tomorrow" prophesied these events.
Recently, I happened to rewatch the movie, and for a moment, my entire body froze, sending shivers down my spine. Unlike other sci-fi works, this movie felt scarier because it could actually happen to us. We don't know what the future holds for us, which is why it's so terrifying.
It seemed challenging for the director to produce films similar to his previous works like "Independence Day" or "Godzilla" for the time being, especially after the actual impact on the central cities of the United States due to the 9/11 terrorist attacks. However, it appears that the director couldn't abandon his forte entirely. Hence, he came up with the idea of perhaps making a movie based on disasters caused by nature. Thus, instead of directly targeting New York City this time, the movie depicts New York City submerged underwater and frozen solid.
Moreover, at a time when environmental concerns are already high, it seemed like a pretty suitable subject matter. Adding a story that evokes deep emotions rather than a hero's tale would make the story even more perfect. Thus, the addition of the story of a father searching through a snowstorm to find his son, who is isolated in New York, was included.
Many people criticize this movie, calling it absurd or having a ridiculous storyline. However, this movie is a blend of somewhat scientifically plausible scenarios with a hint of fiction. Of course, as the vice president's line in the movie suggests, one would need to experience it firsthand to know for sure, but it's undoubtedly not an entirely implausible story. Scenes like the destruction of downtown LA or New York City being engulfed by a massive tidal wave are simply shocking. They represent a culmination of all the ideas and technical prowess Roland Emmerich has consistently put into creating blockbuster SF films.
However, after all the spectacle, the emotion Roland Emmerich planned seems rather cliché and uninspiring. Scenes like only one scientist predicting climate change among many, or the appearance of a lone scientist advocating for the truth despite opposition, feel too predictable. The scenes where individuals sacrifice themselves, like a mother protecting a terminally ill child alone despite everyone else evacuating, all seem too cliché and common.
While expecting a lot from a blockbuster film may be unrealistic, these scenes seem to confirm Roland Emmerich's slightly altered approach.
Conclusion
I'm someone who enjoys watching various movies, but I tend to focus more on how the movie's content and message are conveyed rather than who the director or actors are. Therefore, I only recently learned that the director of this movie had previously directed "Godzilla," "Independence Day," and "2012." It made me realize that he is a director who enjoys creating massive-scale destruction. No wonder he's called the "King of Destruction."
Frankly, "Tomorrow" is not a movie overflowing with emotion. It's a movie where the story of humans is secondary, while the spectacle of colossal disasters is showcased as much as possible. Since the movie's goal is to focus on how grand and impressive the destruction can be, it couldn't be helped. Personally, I think Roland Emmerich has appropriately harmonized the three elements of typical disaster movies in this film: abundant spectacle, a somewhat coherent storyline, and adhering to the formula of typical disaster films while delivering a captivating experience.
