Deep Impact MPAA Rating: PG-13 Entertainment: +4 Content: -1 1/2

When a high school boy (Elijah Wood) discovers a comet hurling toward earth, plans are made by the President of the United States (Morgan Freeman) to blow the comet before it enters Earth's atmosphere. A NASA team, led by an old astronaut, Fish Tanner (Robert Duvall) attempt to blow the meteor with bombs. An ambitious young reporter (Tea Leoni) discovers the story and the American public is alerted.

Plans are made for underground safe houses where scientists, doctors and artists are automatically chosen to go, but civilians have to be picked by lottery--and no one over 50 years old is allowed to enter. Hearts break as loved ones must be left behind to suffer the wrath of the catastrophe.

DEEP IMPACT will appeal more to women because of its focus on human emotions as people face impending disaster. The excellent storytelling, super special effects, a haunting, intense musical score and exciting action will make this the first big box office hit of summer.

The courage and selflessness of several characters, from the astronauts to teenagers, are admirable and inspiring. But, it is implied that an older woman (Vanessa Redgrave) commits suicide rather than face the crisis alone. In the face of death, a young woman reconciles with her estranged father (Maximilian Schell.) The president says he believes in God "whoever you hold that to be" and says a prayer. Several scriptures are quoted when a young couple get married in a meaningful ceremony.

The film has has no gory or graphic violence and people do not turn on each other to save themselves or loved ones. A couple give their baby away to save her life and parents and family members are killed by a huge tidal wave.

Fifteen regular profanities and several obscenities pollute the dialogue along with many crudities. Although there is no sex, a teenager exclaims, "Famous people always get sex--that's the reason it's great to be famous," when the boy who discovers the comet becomes a national hero. The many profanities and obscenities are disturbing, and the tense action scenes and catastrophic themes will keep sensitive viewers away. It is definitely too frightening for children.

Preview Reviewer: Theresa Zumwalt
Distributor: Paramount Communications Inc., Viacom, Inc., 1515 Broadway, NY, NY 10036