Earth Survives ‘Deep Impact’: Bummer

In “Deep Impact,” astronauts (led by Robert Duvall) try to ward off a planet-destroying comet headed for Earth while a TV reporter (Tea Leoni) tries to heal family wounds and a science student (Elijah Wood) tries to save his girlfriend’s family before it’s too late. (Rated PG-13.)

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A disaster movie laced with serious family values, “Deep Impact” has divided young viewers in much the same way as “Titanic,” a disaster movie laced with serious romance: Some thrill to the heightened drama impending doom gives human relationships, and some yearn for more yuks and fireballs.

For brothers Eddie and Cary Purcell, 16 and 14, of Irvine, the movie was too long and too boring. Eddie was hoping for something a little different--like the destruction of the entire planet.

“I was kind of disappointed. It was too predictable. Because of the previews, you can kind of tell what was going to happen,” he said. Plus, he was expecting a comedic moment or two to lighten the mood, but he didn’t find a single laugh in the film.

His interest was piqued, however, by one nonscientific event that left him wondering, “Isn’t it illegal to get married when you’re, like, 17?”

That event: Toward the climax of the movie, when it appears the 500-billion ton comet will smash into the ocean off New York, triggering tidal waves and deadly dust, the president (Morgan Freeman) reveals that safety caves have been built in Missouri for 200,000 pre-selected special people and 800,000 more younger than 50, chosen by lottery. One of the chosen, science student Leo Biederman (Wood)--who first spotted the comet--figures he can bring his girlfriend if they marry (seeming to justify a fellow schoolboy’s prediction that his fame will bring him more sex than the others). They hope a wedding will also allow the rest of her family to be admitted.

On the other hand, 9-year-olds Anders Johnson and Gregory Frank ranked the movie as one of the best disaster films they’d ever seen. “I’d see it 300 times. I loved it!” said Gregory, who plans to see it again with his mother.

The best part, the boys agreed, were the special effects. “I liked the tidal wave that was coming to hit the city. I thought it was neat how they got all those buildings to fall,” Gregory said. The family stories--which included the astronauts’ and the TV reporter’s--were only mildly interesting, he said, explaining: “I’m only 9.”

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PARENTS’ PERSPECTIVE: The movie contains a few objectionable words, no sex, and glimpses of humans drowning and an intense scene of an astronaut cut loose in space.

Terri Purcell skipped the movie, anticipating the usual loud and continual explosions (“There’s too many, and they’re getting worse.”).

Her main objection came from the adult grapevine. “Someone said if you’re over 50, which I’m not, you’re not going to be saved. That’s ridiculous. I mean, why is 50 the cutoff?”