Changing weather patterns have been one of the major topics in politics around the world; this is especially true after the U.S. withdrew from the Paris convention under then-President Trump’s leadership. The topic of climate change, pollution, and its possible negative repercussions on the world has also been constantly involved in motion pictures (also known as ‘disaster’ movies) over the last 50 years.
“Geostorm” is another try, via film to emphasize the critical view on unsolved issues concerning climate change, which might catastrophically affect our homes and planet in the future. Nevertheless, movies work as good promotional tools on the topics inserted into the storyline if done correctly. However, viewers of “Geostorm” are in for a bit of a disappointment. This is not a deep film, but sometimes an entertaining one.
The plot here is simple. The world is ‘attacked’ by nature itself (what?!) and only one person, scientist Jake Lawson, has the solution: placing satellites to enable total control over weather conditions in order to stop possible natural threats. And so they did. However, after a couple of years, it seems like the system starts to show its flaws.
Gerard Butler plays the main character, who is a provocative scientist. He eventually gets thrown out of his own project; but when it later gets messy, (as is usual in such plots), Lawson reunites with his project to fix it, excuse me, to ‘save the world.’
There are a few bright spots of “Geostorm,” the most important the notion of reminding viewers that humans cause many of the problems we face nature wise. With this dark idea, the film also gives hope to the idea that there’s always a way out.
Things aren’t looking good for planet Earth in “Geostorm.” Photo: Warner Bros., 2017.
On the other hand, the film presents a plate full of movie clichés. We see pointless dialogue, poorly-defined characters, and an overly simplistic plot. It seems the filmmakers placed all the effort into the FX department. In fairness, the latter is astonishingly good.
Making this movie an actual political action thriller should have helped it to reach the heights it deserves. In the end, however, the insertion of spies and killers is all wrong; it achieves a messy, non-productive arc, making a disaster out of a disaster movie.
“Geostorm” tries but just can’t get there. Usually, in order to obtain balance, movies must make sacrifices. If “Geostorm’s” makers took a step back and figured out which sacrifice to make, we may have seen a better movie. But in the end, it will at least entertain if nothing else.
*”Geostorm” is currently available to watch on most streaming platforms.
