Rent Deep Impact (1998)

A Real Treat - Deep Impact review by GI

Deep Impact is an example of first class cinematic storytelling. An action adventure film that has family drama, political intrigue, romance, apocalyptic disaster, science fiction and good ol' traditional heroism. The film has such a superb structure that follows diverse characters in one main narrative, the editing is spot on and every aspect of the story is interesting and entertaining and all this where many of the characters never interact. The essence of the story that a comet is detected heading for direct impact with the Earth heralds big effects that are neatly mixed with solid character studies as various the characters have to deal privately and professionally with the potential extinction of humanity. Téa Leoni is an ambitious reporter who uncovers the story carefully controlled by the Government and develops a rapport with the President (Morgan Freeman) but also has to deal with a complicated family drama involving her parents (Vanessa Redgrave & Maximilian Schell). The young astronomer Leo (Elijah Wood) who discovered the comet receives fame as a result and desperately wants to save his girlfriend and comes up with a moving and tender plan that nearly goes awry. And to top it all there's the space mission led by a gritty old astronaut (Robert Duvall) along with some very impactive disaster scenes when parts of the comet hit the planet. The film is gripping, tense, and highly entertaining and best of all it comes across as well grounded as if the whole thing is exactly what would happen. A remarkable cinematic treat, one to definitely revisit and enjoy for all it's cleverness and great story.