Search - The Core [Widescreen]

An unlikely band of scientists and soldiers join forces to save the world from certain destruction in this action-drama. As the world is struck with a variety of inexplicable phenomena -- attacks by enormous swarms of birds in London, the explosion of the Colosseum in Rome, a potentially deadly malfunction which forces the Space Shuttle into a Los Angeles riverbed, and the simultaneous deaths of 32 people with pacemakers in Boston -- a team of top scientific minds from around the globe is assembled to determine what has thrown the world into such a frenzy. Dr. John Keyes (Aaron Eckhart) makes the startling discovery that the Earth's electromagnetic forces have begun to collapse, thanks to a sudden lack of movement of the molten ore at the center of the Earth. If the planet is to be saved, the core of the Earth needs a jump start, and Keyes assembles a team to burrow to the center of the planet and bomb the insides back into action. Joining Keyes on this dangerous, last-chance mission are the brilliant but arrogant Conrad Zimsky (Stanley Tucci), French arms expert Dr. Serge Levesque (Tchéky Karyo, maverick researcher "Brazz" Brazzleton (Delroy Lindo), geeky computer genius Rat (DJ Qualls), and two no-nonsense military types, Commander Richard Iverson (Bruce Greenwood) and Major Rebecca Childs (Hilary Swank). However, as the crew digs deeper into the Earth, the more they discover what they haven't been told about their mission and what's really been causing the worldwide chaos. The Core was originally scheduled for release in the fall of 2002, but the movie didn't reach theaters until the spring of 2003 as special-effects experts perfected the film's more spectacular scenes. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Aaron Eckhart - Dr. Josh Keyes
Hilary Swank - Major Rebecca "Beck" Childs
Delroy Lindo - Dr. Ed "Braz" Brazzelton
Stanley Tucci - Dr. Conrad Zimsky
D.J. Qualls - Rat

An innovative take on the age-old tradition of disaster films, director Jon Amiel's The Core arrives on DVD in fine form courtesy of the folks at Paramount. Presented in 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen the image truly brings to life the crew's perilous journey to the center of the Earth. From shimmering, underground crystals to an imaginative, effects-driven interpretation of the inner workings of our planet, the clear and vivid colors, as well as solid blacks and accurate skin tones, make for a near flawless visual presentation. Sound is also a key factor in the success of a film such as The Core, and it's obvious that great care was given to presenting this aspect of the film as well as possible. The English Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround mix lends impressive directional effects that will not only have viewers ducking from the crazed birds of Trafalgar Square, but shaking in their seats as the monstrous experimental craft winds its way ever deeper into the ground. Extra features on this disc are also well presented, and special effects fanatics will no doubt find themselves drawn to the commentary track and two insightful featurettes. Though director Jon Amiel states early on that he will explain as much technical detail as he can, aside from some minor special effects and storyboarding information, the description of how an apple was turned into a peach is about as insightful as the track gets. Nevertheless, Amiel's enthusiasm shines through and he does have some interesting comments, including a hint on where to watch for a remarkably misplaced fish during the Trafalgar Square sequence. A featurette entitled "Deconstruction of the Visual Effects" goes from storyboarding to final product and discusses the building of the film's impressive CGI effects. Equally informative is "To the Core and Back -- The Making of The Core," in which the director and screenwriters talk about the science of the film and their efforts to make it as character driven as it is CGI driven, and the actors discuss the difficulty in reacting to a blue screen, among other issues. Throughout the commentary track, director Amiel consistently implores viewers to take a look at the deleted scenes, and the ten deleted scenes included on this disc continue his commentary in addition to offering detailed glimpses into much characterization that was left on the cutting room floor. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

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