Nerds That Geek Movie Review: 'Arctic Blast'

Written by Scott Edwards

Taking care of the environment has become something that is more near and dear to our hearts. Trying to make the earth a better place for our youth than it was when we got here is something that seems like a good idea, but at times the task seems next to impossible. For many, many years as we have discovered and utilized our fossil fuels to make life easier, but this has had unfortunate effects on the ozone layer that keeps us warm and separated from the cold of space.

Jack Tate is working down in Australia with a group of friends on tracking the deterioration of the ozone layer. When an eclipse takes place, something strange starts to happen around the outskirts of Hobart, Tasmania. A rip in the ozone layer is allowing the cold air from the mesosphere to enter the atmosphere and flash freeze anything it comes in to contact with.

As news breaks of one of the group's boats running aground, Jack and counterpart Zoe get into the ghost ship and investigate what happened to the crew. With the boat dripping wet on the inside, the two don’t have any idea what could have killed the crew but are certain they will find something on a soaked hard drive. Finding satellite imagery with weather patterns, the two need to think outside of their comfort zone to make a startling discovery.  

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The rip in the ozone layer is allowing a cold blast of air to hit the ocean at -70 to -140 degrees and creating a deadly freeze cloud that has no signs of stopping. Wanting to keep the town safe, Jack tries his hardest to make sure that the locals understand what will happen when the fog hits them. Having made a series of bad decisions in the past, nobody believes his discovery and decide not to cause a panic until they have the cold hard facts, which means that Jack needs to find a way to protect the local population along with, more importantly, his family, from this devastating arctic blast. 

Arctic Blast follows Jack Tate as he transplants to Australia for his work. Taking his wife and daughter along with him, his marriage is on the brink of ending as he only puts his work first. With everyone doubting his ability to make a logical decision, Jack has to trust himself and the ones that trust him to get the all of the facts together to protect the area. Meeting opposition at every turn, Jack comes up with a plan to fix the rip in the ozone, but once again needs to have someone with more authority to have his back to save the town along with possibly the world.

Just like a good disaster movie should do, it makes you think about what you would and could do in the situation. With everyone fighting the facts that are put in front of them, it makes this story a bit more lifelike than we are usually used to. With a little bit of science, some great frozen positions and some witty dialogue, Arctic Blast is just a ton of fun. If a true disaster is on its way and there is nothing anyone could do about it, you have to ask yourself if you would really want to know about the impending doom. Would you run, would you burrow or would you make the best of your remaining hours? For me, I would definitely run! Happy viewing.

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