Deep Impact: The Other 1998 Disaster Movie
In 1998, two films dealing with the threat of a comet hitting the Earth were released in quick succession: Deep impact by Mimi Leder and Armageddon by Michael Bay. If Armageddon quickly dominated conversations and the box office, Deep impact offered an approach more dramatic and human-centered. However, its plot, despite its emotional and ethical qualities, failed to compete with the enormous success ofArmageddon.
The plot of Deep impact revolves around the discovery of a comet traveling toward Earth, which heralds a potentially catastrophic event. A young astronomer, Leo Biederman (played by Elijah Wood), makes this discovery, which catapults him, against his will, into the heart of a global crisis. Some time later, journalist Jenny Lerner (Téa Leoni) accidentally discovers that the American government is secretly preparing a mission to try to prevent this catastrophe. The mission, led by veteran astronaut Spurgeon Tanner (Robert Duvall), involves sending a crew into space to divert the comet’s path by placing nuclear charges on it. Unfortunately, the mission fails and the comet splits into two pieces: the smaller one will unleash a massive tsunami, while the other could cause the end of the world. If they can’t do anything for the small comet, the crew will sacrifice themselves to destroy the larger one.
A notable difference at the box office
Where Deep impact stands out is its attention to the emotional and psychological impact of such a threat. The film explores the heartbreaking decisions that individuals and families must make as extinction seems imminent. For example, Leo and his girlfriend Sarah (Leelee Sobieski) face the uncertainty of their future, while Jenny Lerner tries to reconnect with her mother before the probable end of the world. Additionally, the President of the United States, played by Morgan Freeman, embodies a calm and resolute leader, who regularly addresses the nation to explain the gravity of the situation and the actions he is taking to save humanity. These scenes bring a realistic and human dimension, in contrast to the more heroic and grandiose toneArmageddon.
Despite this stronger emotional aspect, the film failed to leave its markArmageddon. From a box office perspective, Deep impact generated $140.6 million at the worldwide box office. On the contrary, ArmageddonWith its explosive action scenes, its renowned stars (Bruce Willis, Ben Affleck) and its surprising soundtrack featuring the Aerosmith song “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing”, it has garnered more than $550 million in the world.
Source: Cine Serie
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