Although greatly exaggerated, The Day After Tomorrow separates itself from other disaster movies in its truth behind its science fiction.

When a new ice age starts to takes effect throughout the world, Professor Jack Hall (Dennis Quaid) braves the extreme weather to search for his son Sam (Jake Gyllenhaal) who is stuck in the frozen remains of New York City.

 While depicting the issue of global warming and the effects it will trigger, the consequences politically are also shown. In a scene where the Mexican border is closed to a surge of illegal American refugees as they try to escape the storm, writer/director Noah Emmerich provides an interesting scenario which can be in fact a reality if the proper precautions are not taken before hand.

If strictly seen as a special effects driven film, The Day After Tomorrow does not disappoint with sensational effects and excellent set pieces making it a visual delight, the destruction of New York City due to a huge tsunami a valid example of how special effects when used correctly can work wonders.

But for all of its good points, the film still falls for many of the trappings that come with the disaster movie; annoying sub plots, too many minor characters that bring nothing to the table, forced romances and corny dialogue are all present.

But casting likeable actors such as Dennis Quaid and Jake Gyllenhaal help make the film watch-able when the effects aren't in full swing, and when they are this is one of the better disaster movies you are likely to see.