Despite being packed with stars, the film manages to be more than a popcorn film. Not much more, but rather a popcorn film with heart and a message.
Here, by chance doctoral candidate Kate Dibiaski (Jennifer Lawrence) discovers a never before seen comet but her shock and awe is short-lived once it is determined that the comet is hurdling toward Earth and it most certainly could destroy the planet. Even her professor, Dr. Randall Mindy (Leonardo DiCaprio) is shocked. At first, the two appear to be a great team, livid that the President, Janie Orlean (Meryl Streep) and her dumbass chief of staff son, Jason (Jonah Hill) can't handle the devastating news because mid-terms are coming up.
However, after a sex tape leaks, she needs the country back on her side so she decides to send a drone up to deflect the comet only to have that dashed at the last minute by the super rich businessman, Peter Isherwell (an unrecognizable Mark Rylance) who wants to harvest the drone for its resources. Kate is livid so much so that she's censured while an uncomfortable Randall tries to buy into this plan, despite his misgivings. It doesn't help that he's the face of reason after Kate's outburst. She's condemned for hers while he (has one later) is not. And the anchorwoman, Brie (Cate Blanchett) comes onto him in a big way though he appears to be happily married with two college-aged sons.
Naturally, the two converge again toward the end, both of the film and the world and after the inevitable failure of Peter's plan, Randall makes amends with his wife and Kate finds solace in the arms of a religious rebel, Yule (Timothee Chalamet), while Janie leaves her son alone and escapes to a secret preservation pod to hopefully survive the ordeal.
Sure, the film is a bit cheesy and ridiculous but it is also a great allegory on the present times and how hesitant the government was to act on COVID. So there is that. And while it is ridiculous and trite, with the end is coming being done in films several times (namely the delightful Seeking a Friend for the End of the World), this one managed to be different as this time, maybe, just maybe, the world could have been saved. But the acting was great and you couldn't tell that this film was made during the middle of an epic pandemic and it was a complex film with many moving parts. While it may not have made you re-evaluate your life or moved you, it was nevertheless a delightful ride. Grade: B+
Side Notes:
-Ariana Grande has a great little sub-plot as a pop star who has a break-up and reconciliation with her ex and then supports Randall's and Kate's cause and sings a great song for them.
-There are a great much of tidbits McKay sneaked into the script including Janie's ridiculous affair with numerous people and Jason's line on how hot his mother is and that if she wasn't his mother, he'd definitely sleep with her if that wasn't the case, a great nod to one of Trump's line.
-Once the staff realizes that Peter's mission failed, they rush to their loved ones.
-It is ironic that Janie only offered to save Randall and his wife (or Brie) but Kate never got that call.
-Kate's ex-boyfriend, Philip (Himesh Patel) is a jerk-face. For the record.
-Rob Morgan and Tyler Perry are great in their supporting roles.
-Apparently, there is a post credits scene which I was unaware of so let me know what its like.
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