Netflix SciFi release – “Geostorm,” directed by Dean Devlin has hit the audience recently with a futuristic cinematic experience. It is a 2017 science fiction disaster film that attempts to tackle the pressing issue of climate change through a high-stakes narrative. Despite its ambitious premise and a cast of accomplished actors, the film has been met with considerable criticism, failing to deliver on both entertainment and thematic depth.
Synopsis
The plot unfolds in a near-future world ravaged by extreme weather events, prompting global leaders to collaborate on a revolutionary satellite system called “Dutch Boy.” This system is designed to control the weather and prevent catastrophic natural disasters. Jake Lawson, portrayed by Gerard Butler, is the hard-drinking scientist behind Dutch Boy, who finds himself ousted from the project by his brother, Max (Jim Sturgess), after a Senate hearing goes awry. As the system begins to malfunction and unleash devastating weather patterns on Earth, Jake must race against time to uncover the truth and save the planet from a potential geostorm.
Critical Analysis
“Geostorm” has been criticized for its lack of originality and engaging storytelling. Critics have noted that the film borrows heavily from other disaster movies, such as “The Day After Tomorrow” and “San Andreas,” without bringing anything new to the table. The film’s visual effects, which are crucial in a genre that thrives on spectacle, have been described as unimpressive, failing to create the awe-inspiring moments that audiences expect from a blockbuster disaster film.
Roger Ebert’s review highlights that “Geostorm” does not succeed as either a serious spectacle or as campy entertainment. The film’s destruction scenes, while present, lack the visual impact and creativity necessary to be memorable, often reduced to brief snippets that do not effectively convey the gravity of the situation. This leads to a viewing experience that is both forgettable and devoid of the emotional engagement that is vital for a film of this nature.
The Cast’s Previous Remarkable Work
Despite the film’s shortcomings, “Geostorm” boasts a cast of actors with impressive credentials, making its failure all the more disappointing.
Gerard Butler
Gerard Butler, who plays the lead role of Jake Lawson, has had a career filled with both critically acclaimed performances and box office successes. Butler’s breakout role came in the 2006 epic war film “300,” where he played King Leonidas. His intense physical preparation and commanding presence in the film earned him widespread recognition and established him as a leading action star.
Following “300,” Butler showcased his versatility in romantic comedies like “P.S. I Love You” (2007) and “The Ugly Truth” (2009), proving his ability to handle both dramatic and lighter roles. He further cemented his action credentials with films like “Law Abiding Citizen” (2009) and the “Olympus Has Fallen” series, which began in 2013. These films demonstrated Butler’s ability to carry high-stakes, intense action thrillers, making his involvement in “Geostorm” seem promising at first glance.
Jim Sturgess
Jim Sturgess, who portrays Max Lawson in “Geostorm,” has had a diverse career in both film and television. He first gained international attention for his role in Julie Taymor’s musical “Across the Universe” (2007), where he showcased not only his acting skills but also his musical talents. This was followed by a starring role in the critically acclaimed British film “21” (2008), a crime drama based on the true story of the MIT Blackjack Team.
Sturgess continued to impress critics with his performances in films like “The Way Back” (2010), directed by Peter Weir, and “Cloud Atlas” (2012), where he played multiple roles alongside an ensemble cast. His ability to tackle complex characters and work in various genres made him an intriguing choice for “Geostorm,” though the film ultimately failed to utilize his talents effectively.
Abbie Cornish
Australian actress Abbie Cornish, who plays Secret Service agent Sarah Wilson in “Geostorm,” has a history of powerful performances in both independent and mainstream films. She received critical acclaim for her role in the 2004 Australian film “Somersault” and continued to impress in Jane Campion’s “Bright Star” (2009), where she portrayed Fanny Brawne opposite Ben Whishaw’s John Keats.
Cornish has also proven her versatility in action roles, starring alongside Ryan Phillippe in “Stop-Loss” (2008) and taking on a significant part in Zack Snyder’s “Sucker Punch” (2011). Her involvement in “Geostorm” seemed to promise a strong female presence in an action-heavy film, but like her co-stars, her talents were underutilized in the final product.
The Director’s Background
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Dean Devlin, the director of “Geostorm,” is perhaps better known for his work as a screenwriter and producer, particularly his collaborations with Roland Emmerich on blockbuster disaster films. Devlin co-wrote and produced “Independence Day” (1996), “Godzilla” (1998), and “The Patriot” (2000), all directed by Emmerich. These films, especially “Independence Day,” were significant box office successes and helped define the modern disaster film genre.
“Geostorm” marked Devlin’s directorial debut for a major feature film. Given his experience with large-scale disaster movies, there were high expectations for his ability to bring a fresh perspective to the genre. However, the transition from writer-producer to director proved challenging, as “Geostorm” failed to capture the magic of his earlier collaborations with Emmerich.
The Missed Opportunity
With such a talented cast and a director experienced in the disaster film genre, “Geostorm” had the potential to be a standout entry in the category. However, several factors contributed to its ultimate failure:
Weak Script: Despite Devlin’s experience as a screenwriter, the script for “Geostorm” lacked the depth and originality needed to elevate it above other disaster films. The dialogue often felt forced, and character development was minimal, preventing audiences from fully investing in the story.
Underwhelming Visual Effects: For a film centered around global weather disasters, the visual effects were surprisingly lackluster. Compared to earlier works like “Independence Day” or even contemporary disaster films, “Geostorm’s” effects failed to create the sense of awe and terror necessary for the genre.
Tonal Inconsistency: The film struggled to find a balance between serious climate change commentary and over-the-top action sequences. This resulted in a movie that neither satisfied audiences looking for meaningful discourse on environmental issues nor those seeking pure popcorn entertainment.
Underutilization of Talent: With actors like Butler, Sturgess, and Cornish in the cast, “Geostorm” had the potential for compelling character dynamics. However, the film failed to leverage the cast’s talents, often relegating them to one-dimensional roles that didn’t showcase their abilities.
Derivative Plot Elements: Many critics pointed out that “Geostorm” borrowed heavily from other disaster and sci-fi films without adding anything new. This lack of originality made the film feel stale and predictable, even to casual viewers of the genre.
The Climate Change Angle
One of the most significant missed opportunities in “Geostorm” was its handling of the climate change theme. In an era where environmental concerns are at the forefront of global discussions, the film had the chance to contribute meaningfully to this dialogue. Instead, it used climate change merely as a backdrop for generic action sequences, failing to engage with the complexities of the issue.
Other films, such as “The Day After Tomorrow,” while also taking liberties with science, managed to spark conversations about climate change and its potential consequences. “Geostorm,” despite its premise, did not achieve the same impact, relegating a crucial global issue to mere set dressing for its action plot.
In summary, “Geostorm” stands as a cautionary tale of cinematic ambition gone awry. With a premise that could have sparked meaningful dialogue about climate change and a cast capable of delivering powerful performances, the film ultimately devolves into a forgettable amalgamation of clichés and uninspired visuals. Despite its star-studded cast, including Butler, Sturgess, and Cornish, and the disaster film pedigree of director Dean Devlin, the film fails to resonate with audiences or critics alike, making it a missed opportunity in the disaster film genre.
The failure of “Geostorm” serves as a reminder that even with experienced filmmakers and talented actors, success in cinema is never guaranteed. It highlights the importance of a strong script, coherent vision, and careful execution in bringing a high-concept idea to life on the big screen. As it stands, “Geostorm” serves as a reminder that even with a timely premise and considerable resources, poor execution can lead to a cinematic disaster that fails to weather the storm of audience and critical expectations.
For fans of the disaster genre and the actors involved, “Geostorm” remains a disappointing entry in their filmographies. However, it also serves as a point of reflection on the challenges of creating meaningful, entertaining cinema around important global issues like climate change. As the real-world consequences of environmental degradation become increasingly apparent, one can hope that future filmmakers will learn from the mistakes of “Geostorm” and create more impactful, thought-provoking works that do justice to both their talented casts and the critical issues they aim to address.
