THE CORE
US, 2003, 135 minutes, Colour.
Aaron Eckardt, Hillary Swank, Delroy Lindo, Stanley Tucci, D.J. Qualles, Richard Jenkins, Tcheky Karyo, Bruce Greenwood, Alfre Woodard.
Directed by Jon Amiel.
The 19th century version of this story was Jules Verne's Journey to the Centre of the Earth. In the 20th century, it was filmed several times under its original title and with such variations as At the Earth's Core. Well, technology has come a long way even if storytelling remains much the same. The difference is that we enjoy conspiracy theories so, if nature is turning against the human race, we should not assume that it is nature which is malevolent. Rather, it is us - and, as usual, the US military. In the light of controversies about weapons of mass destruction, The Core is quite alarming. The Americans have countered threats by hostile powers to build bombs that, ignited underground, cause earthquakes, have built their own and created eruptions and lethal sonic booms, tilting the earth's core and setting us on the road to the end of the world.
So far, so bad for us. But, as with Verne, a sturdy crew take a modified space vehicle down through the cracks in the earth's plates. Well, perhaps the crew is not altogether sturdy and, as we might guess, most of them do not survive - but get the chance to do some heroic deeds to save the planet. Aaron Heckhart is the laid-back college professor whizz who has to lead the team. Hilary Swank is the tough navigator. Also along for the ride is the obnoxiously vain scientist, Stanley Tucci, his humble rival, Delroy Lindo and nice family man, Tcheky Karyo.
Of course, it is a film of special effects, last moment crises, the threat of nuclear havoc and staunch heroism. The scenes of destruction of the Coliseum and the Victor Emmanuel monument in Rome and the collapse of the jammed Golden Gate Bridge are alarmingly vivid. The core is the set designer's fantasy and seems an entirely unreal world despite so much of the dialogue - which will baffle the non-physicists among us.
1. The popularity of science fiction stories? What if_? Disasters, human ingenuity, the use of science, human skills and intelligence, varying motivations? Heroes and villains?
2. The title, expectations, the centre of the Earth, memories of Jules Verne?
3. The Earth as normal, the sudden disasters, international, radiation and deaths? The reasons? The realism, the special effects? The science background, the vehicle, the journey, the core itself, the nuclear explosions? The musical score?
4. The plausibility of the scenario, the disasters, the science to resolve the problems, the role of the military - Destiny? The US and its power, cover-ups? The technology?
5. The explanation of the rotation of the Earth, its being upset, the consequent radiation, the deaths (visualised), the need for decision and action?
6. Josh and his teaching his class, casual, arrival, the briefing, the interaction with Zimsky, the various theories? The General, his listening, decisions?
7. The establishment of the team: Serge, Brazzelton and the visit to him, the rivalry with Zimsky, Brazzelton and his spending many years building the vehicles? Experimentation, possibilities?
8. The team to go to the core: Bec, her capacities for piloting, seeing her in action? Reactions to her as a woman? Iverson in charge? Serge, Zimsky and Brazzelton also going? The initial collaboration, the differences, difficulties, the varying motivations?
9. The General at the surface, reporting to his superiors, Stickley and her support? The nuclear issues? Rat and his computer skills, acting as a mole for the team?
10. The fire in the centre of the Earth, the depth, the machine cutting through the rock? How plausible was the power of this machine? Repairs, Iverson's death and its effect? Bec in charge?
11. The further complications, the nuclear warheads? Zimsky and his revelation of Destiny? Serge and his heroics, caught in the compartment? Brazzelton and his self-sacrifice?
12. Zimsky, his background, fear, money, wanting to save his life? The eventual change and his heroics?
13. Bec and Josh, their characters, working together, using their ingenuity with Brazzelton's help? Rat's information at the surface?
14. The General, the nuclear countdown, Rat and his split-second ability to turn off the detonator? The success at the core? Earth back on rotation? Success?
