The Core (2003) review

The Core review

                Many natural disaster movies come and go. Some are remembered fondly like The Towering Inferno and Twister. While others are remembered with disdain such as 1979’s star filled Meteor. Some are even given a bad reputation that it doesn’t deserve, such as the case of this movie which will be discussed in today’s review. In March of 2003, The Core was released into theaters by Paramount Pictures and met with polarizing reviews ranging from “boring” to “enjoyable”. That along with news domination of the United States invasion of Iraq led to dreary box office returns on the 60 million dollar movie. Years later, many scientists and professors would rate the movie the most scientifically inaccurate movies ever made (1). When all said in done, this overshadowed the fact that despite its factual issues (which when you think about it every movie in all genres are guilty of) the film is about an epic adventure to the center of the world with a great cast of character actors that help give the preposterous script (penned by Jackie Chan Adventures creator John Rogers) some sense of intelligence.

                Three mysterious incidents occur around the world ranging from 32 dropping dead in Boston due to pacemakers, birds behaving erratically in London, and finally the space shuttle going miles off its landing course. A team of scientists lead by college professor Josh Keyes (played by a pre-Dark Knight Aaron Eckhart) are brought in by government officials who discover that the Earth’s outer core has stopped spinning. From there the “terranauts” formulate an improbable plan to drill toward the core with a subterranean vessel named Virgil, fittingly named after the poet who led Dante through hell. Once at the center, the crew will detonate multiple nuclear weapons to jumpstart it. Along the way the scientists have to make hard choices in order to keep the journey moving and save the planet.

Dr. Keyes (Eckhart) his friend Serge (Tcheky Karyo) meets the General

                Reading this it may seem that The Core is basically Michael Bay’s Armageddon. While that may be true, it offers the audience something that doesn’t assault the senses. Director Jon Amiel (Copycat, Entrapment) wanted to make an anti-Armageddon as stated in the commentary on the DVD. From that premise, I conclude that he succeeded. Although the film may be lacking in character development, the cast that includes heavyweights like Hilary Swank, Delroy Lindo, and Stanley Tucci bring their two-dimensional parts to life in a way the makes them likable. Aaron Eckhart’s Josh Keyes is not a typical tough leading guy, and has a breakdown when his friend is killed along the journey. Ironic, as moments before Keyes says he handled “pressure situations” with ease. Hillary Swank’s character Rebecca Childs takes on a leadership role after the crew’s pilot (played by veteran Bruce Greenwood) dies prematurely into the trip. Stanley Tucci plays snobbish scientist Conrad Zimsky, who knows a little more classified information than his other teammates.  The films visual effects range from good to mediocre, as were many films from the early 00s when comparing them to Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter which have aged better than other big budget movies from that era. If you’re not a visual effects artist or picky about the technical side, then you will be fine. One thing I will say about the artists is I liked their perspective of the inner Earth from the spectacular giant crystal canyon scene to the outer liquid core. 

                Lastly, another positive aspect about this movie that I can undeniably say was excellent was the exciting and mysterious score by one of my favorite movie composers, Christopher Young. Before the Core, Young was often involved a moderately budgeted action and horror films like Hellraiser and Set it Off so this was a first undertaking in a big-budgeted film. What Christopher Young created was a very thrilling yet inspiring soundtrack that started from the fiery opening title card (features one of the best Paramount logo intros) to the last credit rolling. It’s sad that the soundtrack is rare and hard to find, because the movie didn’t fare well at the box office and critics barely even acknowledge Young then and now. He would though get attention from Spider Man director Sam Raimi who would hire him for cues in Spider Man 2 and the entire Spider Man 3 score. Since then however he hasn’t been hired for any big studio films, unlike Michael Giacchino or Hans Zimmer who right now are so overused it’s not even funny. Young could easily score one of these current action or MCU films, but for some reason studios aren’t fond of him.

 

The Crew of the ship Virgil journeys into unknown territory

                In conclusion, The Core is not the most cerebral or second coming of Christ type of movie. However when looking at the film aspect instead of the science behind it, you will not be disappointed. Heck I would even say that is better than Iron Man 3, which I noticed a lot a people didn’t like. Even though Rotten Tomatoes may say otherwise, give this disaster movie a chance. 8/10