The Core (2003)

1 1/2 Stars (out of 4)

Soft-'Core'

By Jeffrey M. Anderson

As a genre, the Disaster Movie has rarely broken any new ground or risen above the level of mediocrity since the very first one, San Francisco, appeared in 1936 -- even the monster hit Titanic relied on creaky old storytelling and moldy dialogue to get around what is essentially a big special-effects movie. That said, the new film The Core is really not much better or worse than all the other movies just like it. Fans of the genre should be pleased. In the film, a team of scientists travels to the center of the Earth to kick-start its molten core. Normally, the Earth's rotation creates an electromagnetic shield that protects the planet from solar waves and whatnot. The details in the film leave a lot to be desired, and the script rips open many more holes than it seals up. But the fine cast, including Aaron Eckhart, Hilary Swank, Delroy Lindo, Stanley Tucci and Tchéky Karyo, seemingly conspired to rise above the material. The actors create some fairly interesting character moments. John Rogers (American Outlaws) and Cooper Layne wrote the script, and Jon Amiel (The Man Who Knew Too Little, Entrapment) directed. For two refreshing takes on the genre, check out Peter Weir's Fearless (1993) and Don McKellar's Last Night (1998).