5 Best Environmental Disaster Movies

Spring is finally here and it has been pouring down with rain recently, some days with apocalyptic tenacity. I am one of those very bizarre people who absolutely loves it when it rains. I like being inside seeing it coming down so hard I can hear it on the roof, getting cosy with a book or a movie. I like being outside in it too, smelling the freshly soaked grass, and the little pinpricks of cold as the rain lands on your head and hands. But I must admit that it starts to get a little worrisome when the rain does not stop for a whole seven days. Which, perhaps inappropriately, left me with a huge urge to watch apocalyptic disaster movies all last week. In light of this, I have complied for you in this latest instalment of the 5 Best Series, my list for 5 Best Environmental Disaster Films.

Now to be honest, as a genre, disaster films tend to be pretty mediocre if not just straight awful, but here are a few that I found thoroughly enjoyable for different reasons. Though, fair warning, as a general rule top-notch acting is not one of those reasons.

1. The Day After Tomorrow (2004)

I put this at the top of my list mostly because it is the first movie that comes to mind any time somebody says disaster film. Released in 2004, the movie warns of the global impact that comes from climate change (a seemingly timeless topic, one that needs to be reminded to some of our world leaders it seems). Staring Dennis Quaid and a younger Jake Gyllenhaal as father-son duo, the former of whom is a climate specialist, who are separate due to the oncoming of the next ice-age. The survival and reunion of the duo form the dual storyline that the whole movie is a based upon. The graphics are not incredible, but the real draw of this movie is in the climate predictions made early in the movie coming to life, albeit in an accelerated manner.

2. The Impossible (2012)

The only movie on this list that is inspired by a true story, The Impossible, while including graphic scenes of environmental catastrophe touches the heart of what it means to be separated from one’s family in disaster situations. Based off the true story of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, and one family search of each other after being pulled apart by the tidal wave. On a separate note, is probably the best acted out of all the films on this list with a star-studded cast of Naomi Watts, Ewan McGregor, a young Tom Holland, and the utterly adorable Samuel Joslin and Oaklee Pendergast as the family of five. However, outside of the acting, one of the things that makes this movie so intense is the minimal use of soundtrack. The cacophony of sounds and the silence of the aftermath feature heavily to make this a very poignant representation of the tsunami.

3. Volcano (1997)

The complete opposite of the previous two water and ice based films, this Tommy Lee Jones movie is definitely one of my favourites. Not because of any stupendous acting, but rather because the plot is equal mixes of utterly implausible and incredibly compelling. When an earthquake causes a volcano to form under the sewer lines, Mike Roark must come up with a plan to stop the volcano from erupting on the streets of LA. This was my first introduction to environmental disaster films as a young child. Having seen Tommy Lee Jones in another favourite of mine, Men in Black, I found the familiar face enjoyable but also hilarious as the character Mike Roark is supposed to be a loving father but emotions do not appear to be his strong suit. Nevertheless, it is a fun movie to watch!

4. San Andreas

Much like The Day After Tomorrow this film also features a father-child duo who are seperated, but said child is able to survive due to dear daddy’s expertise that they have passed down to their child. Honest question, do children really learn that much of their parent’s jobs that they become super handy in apocalyptic situations? Regardless, the confidence of the lead played by the very hunky Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, makes the implausibility that comes from most disaster films, slightly more believable. Though it could have done without the pretty unnecessary divorce sub-plot that had a slightly amusing marital showdown going on between the Rock and Mr. Fantastic (a.k.a. Ioan Gruffud), I cannot fault the writers for trying to add a human touch that extends beyond the disaster focus. Aside from that, some of my favourite features included the gratuitous inclusion of two adorable brothers with British accents, boats speeding at full force towards a tsunami and dodge-em-cars being played between a speedboat and a bunch of shipping crates. This is the epitome of the mindless, enjoyable weekend action movie that you should watch with a pint of beer, glass of wine or multiple.

5. Deep Impact (1998)

This one is sure to entertain as a young Elijah Wood plays one of the leads, Leo Biederman. When a comet is headed towards earth, it threatens the survival of the human species. Tied in with political, domestic issues and space voyages, this film seems to have a bit of everything. But more than that, it is probably the movie with the least amount of environmental action scenes on this list, making it an anomaly on this list. Aside from the last twenty minutes, there is virtually no disaster scenes at all. However, it is probably due to this lack that I find this such a compelling disaster film to watch. Where so many disaster films are based around the concept of being caught unaware, Deep Impact asks how it would unfold if ample notice were give, and how the government would plan the emergency measures. As the oldest movie on this list, I emphasise that the importance is not on the graphics or the action, but the relationships between people and how that changes when imminent doom is projected. Excusing the cheesiness of 90s movies, it is definitely a refreshing change from the loud action that disaster films are known for today.