COLD ZONE

US, 2017, 85 minutes, Colour.
Martin Cummins, Kirsten Robek, Nick Purcha, Sarah Desjardins, Steve Bacic, Sarah- Jane Redmond, Melanie Mc Laren.
Directed by John Mac Carthy.

Cold Zone is a small remake, more or less, of the big-budget The Day After Tomorrow, disaster film about climate change and the threat of vast cold changes and cyclones in the northern hemisphere.

The setting is northern Alaska. A family from Florida go to volunteer each year, he a scientist, she working in the clinic, their teenage son quite recalcitrant and rebellious. However, he is attracted to the young woman managing the bed-and-breakfast where the family stays.

The father goes out into the countryside, notes the absence of birds, meets a famous scientist who predicted disasters but was ignored and has retreated to Alaska. The two scientists have discussions which explain the background, with maps and graphics, for the audience.

The film opens with the cold cyclone and the deaths of scientists, shows how it affects people in Alaska and then throughout the world, including destroying the leaning Tower of Peace are. The scientist wants to save his family, the scientist repairs the internet connection and is able to communicate information to the world at large and sacrifices himself. Locals are sceptical and pay the price. A select group goes in a freezer to avoid the cyclone, a local woman sacrificing herself in the group, and going to a helicopter where they are able to fly to safety.

Has the world learned the lessons?

1. The popularity of disaster films? Warnings? Climate change and consequences?

2. Small budget film, focus on the disaster area but also on a few characters and the crisis?

3. Northern Alaska, the mountain scenery, the snow, the special effects for the cyclone, the freezing, dying frozen? The town, bed-and-breakfast, clinic, the huts in the woods, communications?

4. Special effects, the vision of the cyclone, its spread, the freezing?

5. The family, the father a scientist, the mother and her clinical work, coming to Alaska for 20 years and volunteering? The teenage son, his rebellious attitudes? Seemingly incorrigible? The bed-and-breakfast, meeting Claire, the attraction, the tour?

6. The opening, the scientist, the puzzle, their deaths? Rodger, meeting Tim, recognising him, his past reputation, warning everyone, his being rejected, his going to remote Alaska? His explanations? The graphics, the computer, the maps?

7. Rodger, observing the absence of birds, going with Tim, the decision to return, making an igloo to escape the cyclone, phone calls, reunited with his wife, son? The plan to keep alive, going into freezer? The freezing truck?

8. His wife, her work, Jordan, with Claire, the outings? Disappointed with his father not coming for the meals?

9. At the clinic, the nurse and her help, the locals and their mocking the experts from the South, going out on the road, freezing? Fiona, her friendship, offer to drive the type truck, her death?

10. The ordeal, crossing the dangerous bridge, getting to the airport, the helicopter, saved?

11. A popular warning film?