Movie Review - Geostorm

In the near future, the climate has definitely changed. Not, changed in a way that "climate change" could be mentioned by name but; still changed. The voiceover by a young girl shares the planet's recent weather disasters, which prompts swift action from the United Nations. Within 3 years, the world (17 nations) built a satellite network that could control the weather. That's right folks, we didn't reverse the trends of climate change by lessening our environmental impact; we built a satellite network, named Dutch Boy, that would shoot down hurricanes from space. As Shanghai was about to be levelled, Gomorrah style by a category 12 hurricane, the sat network sprung into action, led by super architect and designer Jake Lawson (Gerard Butler). (Let's not point out the fact that a hurricane the size of Colorado formed over land, threatening to destroy Shanghai)

Though Shanghai was spared, Jake is called to Congress and reprimanded by the Senate sub-committee for activating Dutch Boy (named after the fictional Dutch folk tale). Jake is fired and replaced by his brother Max (Jim Sturgess), who works under Secretary of State Dekkom (Ed Harris). Three years has passed and Dutch Boy is failing. A series of satellite malfunctions lead to small, isolated weather incidents, all of which are in the trailer. The White House wants answers and tasks Max with bringing the only man in the world who could fix Dutch Boy, weeks before the U.S. hands over control to the U.N.

Here's a hint: It's not a meteorologist, climatologist or anyone that studies weather or the Earth.

It's easy (and fun) to pick apart a movie like Geostorm. Yes, the science of the Sharknado series makes more sense than Geostorm. It's true that tidal waves are caused by earthquakes or volcanic eruptions and have nothing to do with the weather, making Dutch Boy useless in stopping them. But, Geostorm isn't a thinking man's movie. It's not to be taken seriously. It's a fun SFX romp that destroys landmarks and puts our heroes through the ringer. Unfortunately, Geostorm isn't that movie either.

After reshoots and 3 years of development hell, Geostorm is less entertaining than (Weather Channel host) Jim Cantore during thundersnow. It seems as if director and screenwriter Dean Devlin went to Gerard Butler and asked for him to do the Mike Banning character from the '...Fallen' series...in space. Truly art imitates life with Geostorm, as the biggest disaster is paying $18 to see this in IMAX.

Verdict: D

Rated: PG-13 @ 109 mins

NOTE: In IMAX Where available