THE CORE [2002] Aaron Eckhart, Hilary Swank, Bruce Greenwood ; R 12A

After Bruce Willis's 'Armageddon' and Morgan Freeman's 'Deep Impact' crashed down to Earth four years ago, the bar was raised on disaster movies. However it was obvious that another movie where asteroids featured, just wouldn't work, as the two fore mentioned movies are still very much fresh in peoples minds and another take on that particular end of the world scenario just wouldn't cut it at the box office. So how else can the world be destroyed? Ah yes of course, from the inside. The idea for this particular apocalyptic tale is that as a result of a top secret earth quake simulator created by the U.S government, the liquid metal in the earths core, stops spinning, which essentially cocks up the planets electromagnetic field. In English that means that the planets polar caps get de-polarised and as a result the planet begins to lose it's protective shield against the suns heat which eventually leads to everyone on the planet cooking. So the U.S government have two options, the first one being to do nothing and watch everyone die, or the second, to put together a heroic team of genius's and over achievers and send them on a mission to the centre of the earth to jump start the core. Hmm, I wonder which one they chose. Putting all the impossibilities to one side, 'The Core' is strangely refreshing and even though it doesn't sport the A-list cast 'Armageddon' did, it does have the cream of the B-List posse which makes sure that the acting is still nice and engaging. The film, even though very predicable does sport some excellent effects sequences, the shuttle crash at the start is just one of many which spring to mind (not to mention a bit of tragic Deja Vu). This is the movies strength, some solid and consistently high standard CGI work, bundled with a very good balance of drama, action and science wizardry 'The Core' is no doubt entertaining stuff. It just lacks that Hollywood sheen, that extra polish that make films of this nature so successful. Polish meaning, Aerosmith on the soundtrack and Steve Buscemi in a supporting role. The film is good, not great... just good.

3/5