Geostorm is a 2017 American disaster science fiction film directed, co-written, and co-produced by Dean Devlin (in his feature directorial debut). The film stars Gerard Butler, Jim Sturgess, Abbie Cornish, Ed Harris, and Andy García. The film takes the idea of climate manipulation and turns it into a thrilling, action-packed story.
The film star Jake Lawson (Gerard Butler), is an engineer tasked with creating a complex satellite system to control natural disasters caused by climate change. While “Geostorm” offers some impressive visuals and intense sequences, it falls short in terms of character development and plot coherence.
See also: Hidden Strike
One of the film’s strongest aspects is its visual effects. The scenes depicting catastrophic weather events are undeniably captivating and real. From massive tsunamis to deadly lightning storms, the movie offers a spectacle of destruction that is visually stunning and sure to keep the audience engaged. Especially a frozen village in the middle of the desert, Moscow melting, a mixture of Fire eruption and fire tornado in Hong Kong.
The attention to detail in portraying these disasters adds a layer of realism to the chaos, making it one of the film’s standout features and was what drew me towards seeing the saw the movie.
However, the film struggles to maintain a consistent tone. At times, it leans into its disaster movie premise, focusing on the impending threats and the race against time to prevent them. At other times, it attempts to inject humor and light-hearted moments, often feeling out of place and disrupting the overall flow of the narrative. This inconsistency in tone makes it difficult for the audience to fully immerse themselves in the story.
The characters in “Geostorm” are underdeveloped and lack depth. Jake Lawson is the typical rugged hero with a troubled past, but his motivations and emotional journey are only briefly explored. The supporting characters, including Jake’s estranged brother Max (played by Jim Sturgess) and Secret Service agent Sarah Wilson (played by Abbie Cornish), suffer from the same lack of depth. Their relationships and personal struggles are mentioned but never fully realized, making it hard for the audience to become invested in their fates.
The plot of “Geostorm” is ambitious but complicated. The concept of a satellite system that can control the weather is intriguing and the film’s attempt to balance the technical aspects of the disaster-preventing technology with the personal conflicts of its characters often results in a disjointed narrative. The pacing suffers as a result, with moments of suspenseful action followed by prolonged periods of exposition that may leave the audience feeling disconnected from the story.
In terms of direction, Dean Devlin does a commendable job with the action sequences. The disaster scenes are well-choreographed and deliver the high-stakes tension that one would expect from a movie of this genre.
“Geostorm” attempts to convey a cautionary message about the consequences of climate change and the potential misuse of technology. While this theme is relevant and important, the film’s treatment of it is heavy-handed and lacks nuance. The dialogue often veers into clichéd territory, with characters delivering speeches about the state of the world and the importance of unity in the face of global challenges.
See also: Tenet
In conclusion, “Geostorm” offers a visually impressive showcase of disaster scenarios, but it falters in terms of character development, plot coherence, and thematic execution. The film’s uneven tone, underdeveloped characters, and convoluted plot prevent it from reaching its full potential as a compelling disaster movie with a meaningful message. Despite its flaws, “Geostorm” is still entertaining for those who enjoy action-packed spectacles, but it ultimately falls short of leaving a lasting impact.
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