The Core

After a series of strange events throughout the world, Dr Josh Keyes (Eckhart) decides to research the phenomena to see if they are connected. His conclusions draw him to an extraordinary result, the Earth's core has stopped spinning. He takes his data to eminent Geophysicist Dr Conrad Zimski (Tucci) who concurs Keyes' results and takes the findings to the US Government. With the help of the best scientists in the field, a plan is devised to journey to centre of the Earth and explode a 100-megaton nuclear bomb that will reactivate the dormant core, saving the planet.

The first big budget disaster movie since 9/11, The Core puts America against a new enemy, the Earth itself.

The film feels like a test of the public's reaction towards seeing destruction on an epic scale after the events that tragically struck New York in 2001. The question is however, does the disaster movie have a place in this modern, turbulent world? The answer is yes. Cinema, at its essence, is escapism. You want to be taken to a place where we can beat insurmountable odds. You want to have confidence that whatever situation arises we have the people who can deal with it. We need something to believe in, we need heroes and the movies have always supplied them with The Core delivering pure escapist entertainment.

The Core is a big budget action adventure that dares to say that science and geeks will save the planet. Here there is not a muscle-bound hero in sight, just scientists and astronauts doing their best to save the world from Armageddon. Heading this band of physicists is Aaron Eckhart. In his first real leading man role, Eckhart does a good job of carrying such a big budget production on his relatively inexperienced shoulders. His character is believeable and interacts well with the rest of the good ensemble. Stanley Tucci is suitably arrogant as Dr Zimski and Delroy Lindo, Bruce Greenwood, Tchéky Karyo and Alfre Woodard are strong as ever in their supporting roles. DJ Qualls looks the geek and Hilary Swank brings abit of class to a less challenging role.

On the downside, I would have liked to have seen more disaster footage. It was nice to see a non-American city getting destroyed for a change but there could have been more footage from around the world, not just America and Europe. Also some of the special effects work wasn't as good as it could have been. In certain parts the computer-generated imagery was very obvious, especially during the disaster scenes. It had that shine and glow that you tend to associate with a cheaper effects budget.

The Core is a good piece of escapist entertainment at a time when we really need it. It makes a change that the enemy in not a human one and it highlights the best in human endeavour and courage.

Audio commentary from director Jon Amiel, 'Visual Effects' featurette, 'The Making Of The Core' featurette, Deleted and extended scenes, Interactive menu & Scene access

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2003