MovieChat Forums > Asteroid (1997) Discussion > Direct-Hit, not a Near-Miss for this ins...

Direct-Hit, not a Near-Miss for this instant Sci-Fi Classic

posted 16 years ago by crummmountain
6 replies | jump to latest

Director Bradford May deftly takes the audience on a thrill ride that is not for the faint of heart. Michael Biehn is FEMA director Jack Wallach, a committed, no-nonsense public servant (in the best sense of the term) who dutifully marshals the resources at his disposal to make the best of a bad situation. However, this is nothing compared to keeping up with the brilliant work of Director May and the work of co-star Annabella Sciorra who as Dr. Lily McKee convincingly identifies and plots the course of asteroids on a collision course with Planet Earth.
The film accurately depicts the nature of emergency management work, with Michael Biehn putting out one fire after another and barely having time to catch his breath. Meanwhile, Dr. McKee (Sciorra) is hard at work identifying possible threats to the human race when BAM! she collides with the force of 1000 Hiroshimas into a working relationship with Wallach frought with sexual tension and the promise of a blossoming future relationship, providing that together they can save the planet first!
This is a film that depicts what an impending asteroid impact would really be like. The anxiety and adrenaline is what draws two people like Biehn and Sciorra together, how can you not fall in love while saving the planet from an asteroid with all the resources of the federal government and the scientific community at your disposal. I know I sure fell in love with this film.

[–] m_sweetsir 16 years ago

This person obviously works for the studio that made this movie.

No reasonably intelligent person who saw this movie would ever ever say they fell in love with this movie.

[–] gwillacker 16 years ago

It's called sarcasm, and it was hysterical.

[–] Steve_2 15 years ago

LOL Don't forget the breathtaking special effects!

Would John Wayne be having this conversation?

[–] drystyx 14 years ago

I gave the film a 7. There are obvious assets and obvious failures. This film is over the top in all areas. In some areas it excels, and in some areas it more than stinks.

The acting excels, and almost overcomes the worst visuals ever. The writing is good in characters and in some other areas.

Obviously, Vincent Varia, who hasn't worked as a hair stylist on a film since this, may have completely ruined the film with the WORST hair stylist job on a film EVER in Film History. We can overlook background extras wanting to look good so they aren't embarrassed for their smaller pay, but the egos of the forefront actors can't be overlooked even by the most casual observer, when no hair is ever out of place. This is ridiculous in every day situations, and hysterical in floods, fires, and storms. No actor, no matter how good, can make up for this farce of make up.

And the overkill on the writers, who did a pretty good job overall, but needed a leash on their collars. Disaster after disaster after disaster on and on and on, till no one can possibly care.

The movie actually sound better than it looks, because of Varia's incompetence, and because of the overkill.

So it depends on what a viewer values most as to whether the film was a triumph or a bomb. I weigh it as having more assets than failures, so I gave it better than a 5.

Now go away or I shall taunt you a second time
that's not funny!

[–] Beta_maxxx 14 years ago

We sure could have used FEMA director Jack Wallach during Katrina down in New Orleans. He would have had it cleared up in no time.

"Can I wear the mask from Scream while I do you from behind?" Kenny Powers

[–] lm362 7 years ago

I love it. Very believeable and for the most part, likeable characters. The action scenes were very exciting and tense. The special effects were good, too. Biehn and Gomez should reprise their roles in one or more disaster movies. They were so good! Spoiler: I know it appears that Gomez's character died, but do wish a re-edited version would be released showing that he did not die.

"Do All Things For God's Glory"-1 Corinthians 10:31
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