I refuse to call The Core a bad movie. If the world classifies it as a "B" movie, it's the best "B" movie I've ever seen. It's entertaining, it's visually appealing, and if you can forget everything you know about science and technology, it's even a fascinating plot. If you call it science fiction, though, be sure to put the emphasis on fiction.
The premise of the movie is that the Earth's core has stopped spinning correctly, causing all kinds of electromagnetic problems. Pacemakers suddenly stop working and people die, birds crash in to monuments, navigation systems become inaccurate. Essentially, the planet is coming undone and the world is going to end in 3 months unless the core's spin can be restored. A geophysics professor (Aaron Eckhart) is called upon by the military to solve the problem.
It's a familiar theme: Small group of dedicated specialists will save the world or die trying.
Favorite Scene
A very dramatic crash landing of a space shuttle illustrates the impact of the core rotation problem on navigation systems. Hilary Swank's Major Rebecca Childs brilliantly plots a course to avoid downtown Los Angeles, landing the shuttle in the Los Angeles River - faster than NASA's computer can plot a reasonable course. Believable? Maybe. It certainly enrolls the audience in Rebecca's fan club! As a worker plods along, headphones on, completely unaware of his surroundings and the mass exodus of his co-workers, the shuttle comes to rest inches behind him. His realization of its presence gives the audience the first good laugh of the movie.
Cast Highlights
Stanley Tucci was a riot to watch as renowned geophysicist Conrad Zimsky. Zimsky is arrogant, expects adoration, doesn't mind stealing the work of others more brilliant than him, and he's got a secret. With a cigarette always in mouth or in hand, he brushes off people who are of no value to him, truly believing himself to be superior. The least likable character in the movie, Tucci's portrayal made me look forward to his scenes. His final scene, which included the movie's only bad word, was the funniest in the movie. And perhaps only a smoker or former smoker could appreciate the scene in which, after more than 30 hours in an underground, smoke-free ship, he finally lights and draws heavily from a cigarette. The whole audience seemed to feel his relief.
Aaron Eckhart and Hilary Swank are the designated lead actors in this picture and both deliver efficient performances. Eckhart is brilliant in powerful, emotional scenes and Swank is convincing as the over-achieving but emotionally vulnerable career pilot. The fine talent of Alfre Woodard is wasted in the role of head of Mission Control, but it was nice to see her in a low-key role. Bruce Greenwood was a perfect choice for the role of the ship's commander, and the chemistry between Greenwood and Swank felt right.
Final Thoughts
This isn’t a great movie, but it is great fun. Despite the PG-13 rating, I took my ten and twelve year old sons to see it. There was only one line - a funny one, at that - that warranted a PG-13 rating, so I’m comfortable recommending this for families with children over the age of 9. In fact, one of the happiest surprises of the movie was its lack of violence and sexual overtones. There was violence, of course, people die in this movie, but there were no graphic scenes of blood and gore, no scantily clad vixens or over-sexed hunks.
It’s not rocket science. Or earth science. But it is good, clean family entertainment.
Fear is in the air as research reveals the earth's core is stalled and unless it gets a jumpstart, the world will burn. The world's last possible chan...More at HotMovieSale.com
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