Customer Reviews

Aftershock: Earthquake in New York [VHS]

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

If you are in any doubt as to how good this film is, then ask yourself the question "why are people discussing the scientific fact behind the storyline?" The special effects are more than convincing and you really do get the feeling that you could be watching an earthquake in progress. If anyone out there questions the possibility of earthquakes in Manhattan, then maybe you should refer to the following ...I live in the United Kingdom, where earthquakes can not happen, tornados never happen and the possibility of hurricanes is "laughable" as one 1987 forecaster said. In 1987, we had a hurricane, in 1998 we had tornadoes and this year, we suffered a minor earthquake. Never say never.

I enjoyed the VHS version and was greatly surprised - and pleasantly so - when I discovered the DVD had a more complete version of the movie -- I really liked the interaction between Tom Skerritt and Charles Dutton's characters -- Action was nicely paced and the characters were great to follow in their individual story lines - a great blending of characters -- loved the ending -- really need to see it.

It's ironic that in this 1999 film. the Twin Towers remain standing after the devastating earthquake that tumbles the powerful city to its feet. A t.v. movie originally aired on NVC, AFTERSHOCK is directed well by Mikail Solomon and has a fine cast. The script is typical vignettes of several people and how they deal with the quake, but it is well written and performed, and adds the requisite human touch to the film. The overall acting is very good: Tom Selleck as the disgruntled fire chief who is having an ongoing political battle with Mayor Charles S. Dutton; Jennifer Garner as a ballet wannabe who meets up with a Russian cabby; Sharon Lawrence is very good as a mother whose carelessness rendered her little boy an invalid; Lisa Nicole Carson as an up and coming lawyer who gets an alleged murderer off the hook only to doubt his innocence; Cicely Tyson as the feisty mayor's mother who turns a street kid into a young man; and many actors whose names I can't recall who did a fine job in the storyline.
The earthquake sequence is devastating and very convincing. The movie is one of those "feel good" movies, that works.
Not your average made for TV fare.

I thought this movie was well done. The movie first goes into people's lives and draws you in with good acting and likeable characters. There is a lot of action once the earthquake hits and it's very believable. I watch a lot of natural disaster movies and I rank this one with the best of them.

As an avid sci-fi/action genre maven who likes special effects, I was very surprised that a low budget movie did so well in cinematography. A well written and acted script,and very good special effects lends some credibility to having a powerful earthquake in a relatively low risk zone. It was eerie seeing the Trade Center again (as so many movies do), suffer damage other than terrorist driven. The main complaint about the DVD is that it is not widescreen. Being a TV movie, one would not expect widescreen, but the jewelcase description says "formatted to fit your TV", thus it leads one to believe that a widescreen exists. Still, I enjoyed the film and actually believe the special effects to be better than in "Earthquake".

This movie gives you the suspense that will keep you in your seat and focused while having that little twist of romance.

For a television production I found it very well done with a good story and strong characters. The special effects were quite good. exceptional for a television mini series. Over all I found it very entertaining.

I really liked this movie and felt it was well done with much suspense and action. It was like I was part of the whole movie. It brought back for me a feeling like it could really happen. It was true to NY and the people. The action and acting was really good. I enjoyed the movie and felt its a winner.

Okay, to be honest, the film's a bit of a snoozer. The acting is pretty much on par for these type of films, with the Russian taxi driver's accent particularly amusing. The special effects are mediocre and mostly limited to the first half. The second half is devoted to various uninteresting characters getting rescued or in the process of dying. Again, boring and nothing you haven't seen before or better, although the ridiculousness of Sharon Lawrence's character pseudo-rock climbing her way up a ruined school building to retrieve her son was unintentionally hilarious. This did not need to be a three-hour event, and when it's over your only emotion is relief that it wasn't any longer.

An on the edge of your seat dramatic thrill seeking film. This film is an on the edge film because of the action in it that keeps the viewer glued to the set.