Hello.
This is Lou Vanetti,
reporting live
from KBRX.
I don't know if--
[buzz]
[with echo]
anyone out there
can hear me or not.
[buzz]
[deep inhale]
Only hours remain before
the earth's magnetic field
declines to zero.
[buzz]
And as most
of you know by now,
once that occurs,
[buzzing]
solar radiation
will destroy
the atmosphere.
And--God be
with us all.
[silence and a
bird cries out]
[tires screech]
[eerie roar grows]
Turn the car off!
[loud hissing]
[buzzing and
small explosions]
[silence]
I think it's gone.
Start the car.
[Cynthia]
Damn it!
We'll have
to go back.
[loud vibrating]
[growing roar]
Get out of
the car now!
(Shane)
Come on!
Jump!
[scream]
No!
(Lou, over TV)
Flights across the globe
have been grounded
for 24 hours
as the
comet Copernicus
passes Earth.
This will be the largest
celestial object in
recorded history
to pass this close and
is expected to create a
global magnetic disturbance.
When the comet was
first discovered
six months ago--
Good morning.
Hi, Miss Penny.
Hi, Cyn. Zoe,
that's Cynthia's
order in the fridge.
So I'm
taking the
Science Club
on a field trip
to watch the comet.
I heard.
That's very
brave of you.
You're coming
along too,
right, Zoe?
Yeah. Dad is
letting me off
early so I can come.
Right, Dad?
I suppose.
(Lou on TV)
...discuss what unforeseen
dangers we may be facing,
we are joined now
via satellite by our
own Dr. James Mayfield.
Hey, look
who's on TV!
Doctor, could
you explain
why you believe it's
possible that the comet
could hit us
when almost everyone else
has predicted it will
simply pass us by.
Wait a minute, Lou,
all I said was that
you can't rule it out.
Having just
passed the sun,
gases in the
comet's icy core
will be
heating up
like a hotspring.
This will affect
the comet speed and
trajectory in ways--
that we just
can't predict.
Fascinating. Now l
understand the Storm
Hazards Dept.
has sent you to northern
Alaska to observe the
comet swing by.
That's right. We'll be
just inside the
Arctic Circle
where the comet
is expected to
pass over.
Its orbital fulcrum,
meaning the closest
it will be to Earth,
it's a very exciting
opportunity for us
to observe
geomagnetic anomalies
in the Earth's
magnetic field.
Thank you, Doctor.
That was local
astrophysicist Dr.
James Mayfield
via satellite
from Alaska.
[sizzling and roaring]
[birds chirping]
Getting a signal?
Yep. Logging
into the satellite.
Ah, my last
two Cubans.
I've been
saving them for
a special occasion.
That's against
the law, you know.
Yeah. Well.
Relax, Peter
we're in Alaska.
Well, the U.S. Trade
Embargo says that no
American citizen
can smoke a Cuban
cigar anywhere in
the world.
And we're in!
Showtime.
You can get
ten years.
That's a
good point.
I better smoke
both of them.
[phone beeping]
Hey, Pam. Satellite
link is up.
You should
be getting
REM readings.
Copy, James.
We're getting
it now.
(male voice)
Across the globe,
eyes look
skyward tonight.
Millions of teachers
and students in
every nation
get the chance to
glimpse something great
astronomers of the past
could only
have dreamed of.
Okay, everyone.
I'd like to show
you something.
Just as our planet
has a magnetic field,
so does the comet.
This comet's gonna pass
Pluto by the time this
guy finishes.
Zoe, could
you come up
here, please?
Hold this up
for me, please.
We're going to imagine
that this compass
is Earth.
As the comet passes,
the magnetic fields interact,
creating intense bursts
of electromagnetic waves,
which can
interfere with modern
technology so ladies,
no sulking if your
boyfriend don't return
your text messages tonight.
[light chuckling]
Yo, it's a freaking
comet, not your
mother undressing.
Hey, move it.
Leave him alone!
Hey! Hey!!
Hey!
Hey, stop it!
[glass breaks]
Stop it.
Stop.
Stop it.
You'll both be reimbursing
the school for the cost of
a new telescope.
What? This
guy started it,
Miss Penny!
No, I didn't! He
was picking
on him!
It's Mrs. Mayfield now,
and I particularly
care who started it,
you're both paying
for a new telescope.
I'll be contacting
your parents about
the exact cost.
Bad enough
you married
my father,
now I can't
even get fair
treatment in class?
Go wait by the
washroom, Shane.
The data is looking
a bit fragmented.
Electromagnetic interference
is coming on strong.
Yeah, our friend
Copernicus seems
unusually magnetic.
Where's my lighter?
Viewers are probably
experiencing increased
interference
as Copernicus reaches
what is expected
to be
its closest
proximity to Earth.
Comet is at
orbital fulcrum.
(Pam)
It should be passing
over your area
in just a
few minutes.
(male reporter)
We've just
gotten word
that the comet
has reached--
[static]
Already there are
five press reports
of mass--
(Miss Penny)
This is extraordinary.
We'll continue to
broadcast throughout
this historic event,
[heavy static]
but it is possible that
we may experience--
may lose our signal,
and we apologize
for that.
--obviously beyond
our control.
Hey. An electromagnetic
storm from the comet
is affecting
our electricity.
Whoa, whoa! Just
had a surge in the
electron acceleration.
The fields EM levels
are skyrocketing.
Radiation beIt's
being pushed into
the atmosphere.
Pam, are you
reading this?
Yes. I'm measuring a
radiation spike in
the belt safe-zone.
and rising.
Hey, look
at this.
Wait, that's odd.
I'm getting
a second set
of separate
readings from
the comet.
Magnify sector LP4.
[beep]
I see something
in the tail.
Copernicus is fragmenting!
We've got a piece
of the comet
breaking away.
We can't
see anything.
Can you read
the fragment's specs?
Projectile
diameter is
Velocity at
a second.
What's the trajectory?
Descending at--
It's gonna
hit Earth.
Use the belt
electron trajectory
to triangulate a
point of impact.
Working on it!
Latitude 51 degrees
and longitude 179.
James, that's only
where you are.
[breaks up]
James? Did you
hear what I said?
Get out of there!
Notify I EW to
issue an alert.
Repeat, notify
IEW to issue
an alert.
Pam, you copy?
Damn it!
Where's their
projective point
of impact?
I don't know.
I lost her.
Maybe l
can amplify
the signal.
Shockwave! Get
back in the car!
Let's get
out of here!
What's the point?
We're dead!
We can't outrun
a blast!
Avalanche bunker
at the bottom
of the hill!
Right!
Step on it, man!
[roar]
[distant explosion]
[deafening roaring]
Try uploading
the data in case
we don't make it.
James.
[deafening roaring]
Peter! Get
out of there!
Come on!
[shout]
(Lou Vanetti)
Reports of massive
damage and casualties
have been coming
in from Alaska,
northern Canada,
and eastern Russia.
Communication is
still down throughout
these affected areas.
As the death toll rises,
we're getting estimates
that as many as a quarter
of a million people
may have
perished in this
history-making disaster.
One piece of
good news
to report,
local resident
Dr. James Mayfield
has miraculously
survived the blast
despite being within
a few hundred miles
of ground zero
where the comet struck.
He is expected to
be arriving home today.
James!
I thought
I'd lost you.
It's good
to be home.
(Lou over TV)
Mayfield is one voice
raising caution...
Hey, buddy.
Hey, Dad!
[happy chuckles]
You okay?
Yeah.
Welcome home.
Thanks.
Who wants coffee?
I would love one.
Well, I'm sure you guys
has lots of science stuff
to talk about so,
Whoa, Shane.
Where are
you going?
I just got home,
sit down with us.
Yeah, I'm kinda tired.
I feel like
laying down.
He got into a
fight and broke
a telescope.
I'm making him
and the other kid
pay for it. Sorry.
No, don't be sorry.
I don't envy either
one of you.
I wouldn't want
a stepmother
for a teacher
or a stepson
for a student.
Now that you're home,
you're gonna have to
play bad cop
and do all
the disciplining.
Otherwise he's never
gonna let me
get close.
Deal.
(female voice)
... worst-case scenarios
that were to happen
if the comet were
to hit Earth,
I wonder,
Mr. President,
has the impact from the comet
created a lasting effect,
the public should be
concerned with.
We're still investigating
that possibility.
But right now, it
doesn't appear that
there's anything
that the
public needs
to worry about.
You gotta
be joking.
What?
A 300-meter
projectile hits
the planet
at 30 km
per second
and he's saying
there's nothing
to worry about?
Maybe he just
doesn't want to
scare the public.
[loud exhale]
Unlike some
people I know.
My science advisers
have reported
that the immediate
crisis is over.
So the important thing
for the American people
to know
is that
they're safe,
that they can
go on about
their daily lives,
This is unbelievable.
James,
I know you went
through a terrible
ordeal in Alaska.
But you're
home now.
Okay? So let someone
else do the worrying
for a change.
Enjoy being
with your family.
You're right.
You're right
as usual.
Mm-hm.
The United States
of America
[static]
stands ready
to offer assistance all
available citizens necessary.
[loud piercing noise]
What is that
terrible sound?
[static, shrill sound]
[loud humming
in crescendo]
[loud thuds]
An earthquake?
Quick, take cover!
Shane, you okay?
[door opens]
Yeah.
What?
What?
(James, over phone)
What do you mean
it's been classified?
Just what I said.
All the data we
collected in Alaska
and uploaded
to Government
has been classified.
And neither you nor
I have the clearance
to access it.
In fact, we shouldn't
even be talking about
this right now.
The whole dept's
under a gag order.
That tremor
we just had
was preceded
by some kind of
EM disturbance
which could mean
that there's been
serious damage
to the
magnetic field.
Yeah. I recorded
an EM spike earlier
but I didn't know
what caused it.
We need the
comet data. Who
classified it?
The Administration.
Great. Not even a
comet hit is immune
to political spin.
Maybe there really
was some damage
to the field
and they don't want
to disclose it to
the public.
We need
to find out.
(female recorded voice)
You've reached the office
of the President's
Science Adviser.
Due to
extenuating circumstances,
this office will not
be taking phone calls
until further notice.
[beep]
[deep sigh]
[buzzing]
What are you
doing up on
the roof?
T racking the sun.
And why would you
be tracking
the sun?
It's not where
it's supposed
to be.
Why would
you say that?
Yesterday, the
sun set behind
Eagle Peak.
What do you mean?
It's never set
behind the Peak.
Exactly.
[phone rings]
Hello?
(girl's voice)
Hey! Is
this Shane?
Yeah, who's this?
Hi, it's Zoe.
I was just calling to
tell Miss Penny the
pastries are ready.
Pastries?
We're donating
them for the school's
disaster fund drive.
So she can
pick them up
whenever she wants.
Okay, I'll let
her know.
Okay.
Bye.
Bye.
Hi.
Zoe just called.
The pastries for
the fund drive
are ready.
Want me to go pick
them up for you?
That would be
great, Shane.
Thank you.
Can I help you?
Oh.
Hi.
How's it going?
Good. You're here
to pick up the stuff
for your mom, right?
She's not my mom.
Okay. Step-mom.
Hey. You have
my sympathy.
I'd die if my dad
picked one of
my teachers.
[cell rings]
Hello?
Hey!
My God.
What is it?
The sun's 10 degrees
off where it should
be this time of year.
How can that be?
Okay. In like
an hour?
You still meeting
Kevin at the
park today?
Uh, yeah.
Yeah, okay.
Alright, okay.
Bye.
Here it is.
Thanks.
I'll be at
the park
with Kevin.
Oh, yeah?
Yeah.
I'll see
you there.
Cool.
[car door closes]
Hey, James!
Hey, Lou!
I haven't had a chance
to talk to you since
the interview.
So, what's
this great story
you've got for me?
You remember how
we used to come
out here
and watch all
those sunsets?
Maybe that's what
you came out
here for.
I was out here
for the babes
and the booze.
Do you remember how this
sundial was always right
on the money?
Yeah, I remember.
[loud music from car]
[motor revs]
Hey, Shane.
Hey, Zoe.
So what am l?
Chopped liver?
So, Shane buddy, l
got a little problem
because of you.
You see this car?
My dad's making me sell it
to pay for the stupid
telescope you broke.
We broke it.
Whatever. The
point is,
I think we
can settle this
little problem.
How is that?
Drag race.
You and me.
You win, I'll pay the
the telescope.
I win,
you pay.
Come on, what
do you think?
Not afraid of getting
your ass whupped,
are ya?
You wouldn't win.
Ouch. You
hear that?
Greaser-boy thinks
he can beat me.
Let's do it.
Dr. Mayfield
says his suspicion
was first aroused
when he noticed
the sun setting
behind Eagle Peak.
Now, I can tell you
from my own experience
as I was growing up here,
the sun has never
set behind Eagle
Peak before.
And then there's our
trusty sundial here
which has never
been wrong.
Until today.
[motors rev loudly]
[piercing sound
from radio]
Ready, guys?
Get set--
[shout]
Shane! Get
out, Shane!
Shane!
Shane! Get out!
Oh, my God.
You okay?
Are you alright?
[heavy breathing]
What happened?
What just happened?
Poor Kevin.
Oh, my God.
I can't
get reception.
What about you?
Nothing.
What is that?
[dull roar]
It looks like
an aurora.
Here? I thought
those things only
happened up north
in places
like Alaska.
Something bad's happening.
Dr. Mayfield,
what exactly
is the problem
with an axis
tilt changing
ten degrees?
I mean, so
what if the sun
sets 10 minutes later?
A shifted axis tilt
means the
Earth's axis
of rotation
is out of alignment
with its magnetic poles.
This could have serious
consequences for the
Earth's magnetic field.
Seismic activity,
electromagnetic interference
with communications
that we've
been experiencing,
This could
all be just
the beginning.
The beginning
of what?
A catastrophic
pole reversal.
You mean like
what happened
a million years ago
when the north
and south poles
changed places?
That's right.
Back to you.
(James)
Yeah! Yeah!
Alright already!
James, buddy,
we are famous.
What are you
talking about?
[guffaws]
You don't know?
Know what?
Your story
caught fire.
My report got
picked up by all
the big networks.
Really?
Yeah. There is some
weird crap going on
all over this country
that the government
does not want to
talk about
but your theory
makes more sense
than these--
alien invasion stories
so the networks
picked it up.
Good. Maybe it'll force
the Administration to
come clean.
Look, any more
earth-shattering
developments--
I'm your man, right?
See you, Lou.
I'm your man, right?
See you, Lou!
I'm your man!
Good morning, gentlemen.
Good morning,
Mr. President.
Good morning, Mr.
President. How
are you, sir?
Who leaked the
axis tilt to
the press?
A Dr. James
Mayfield, sir.
Mayfield? That's your
son, isn't it, General?
Yes, sir. Dr.
Mayfield is
my son.
Then what the
heck's he doing
leaking
classified information?
I'm sorry, sir.
I'm not aware
of his activities.
We haven't spoken
in nearly five years.
You don't say.
Maybe now would be
a good time for a
family reunion.
Because if you can't
put a muzzle on him,
we will.
What exactly was
his involvement
with this?
Our Storm Hazard
Research Dept.
contracted Dr. Mayfield
to monitor the
comet's effect on
the radiation belts.
So wasn't this guy on
the same gag order
as everyone else?
Yes, sir, and
his research
was classified,
but to be honest, sir,
the data he updated
couldn't have
revealed an
axis tilt
as it was collected
prior to the
comet hit.
Don't argue
semantics with
me, doctor.
A gag order
is a gag order.
I don't need 400 phone
calls coming into the
White House
every hour about a pole
reversal that's not
going to happen.
It's not going
to happen, right,
Dr. Elman?
It's a preposterous
thought, Mr. President.
The consensus
is that the
Earth's axis
will slowly fall
back in place as
it rotates.
Glad to hear it.
However, this sort
of doomsday hysteria,
is exactly why we need
to keep the public in
the dark right now.
Your son--
Sir?
Is he smart?
Yes, sir.
How smart is he?
Too smart for
his own good, sir.
That's what it
sounds like.
You better
bring him in.
Yes, sir.
James.
It's really happening.
All the telltale signs.
This is unprecedented.
What is?
The pole reversal.
Shane didn't
come home
last night.
Are you sure?
Yeah, his car isn't here,
his bed hasn't been
slept in
and I can't reach
him on his cell.
He said he was going
to the park last night.
Oh, my God. I just
heard on the radio
the park was ripped
apart by a major
earthquake last night.
Let's go!
[sirens]
What's going on?
Dr. Mayfield. We
need you to come to
the air base with us, sir.
Base? For what?
I don't know, sir.
But we have an executive
order to take you to
the base.
By force if necessary.
Go. Go.
I'll find Shane.
I'll call you as soon
as I know what's
going on.
This way.
Anything?
Nothing. That's weird,
I always get a
signal here.
Hey, Dad.
James.
I should've known
you were behind this.
Long time
no see.
Five years
is not
so long.
I guess it justs
seemed long
to me.
Get my
birthday card?
I did.
Thank you.
Very considerate.
How's your son? He
must be getting
awfully big by now.
Yes, he is. You
probably wouldn't
even recognize him.
Probably not.
Have a seat, James.
So, you caused
quite a stir
in Washington.
How's that, sir?
Violating a
government gag
order, for one thing.
I didn't violate any gag
order. That axis shift
was my own research.
Don't play games
with me, James.
You're either on
the team or
you're not.
Here we go.
You know full well
the intent of the
gag order.
Everything you
worked on
was classified.
The public
has the right to
that information.
It's not your call.
You're a science rat.
You don't make policy.
And scaring the American
public is against this
country's greater good.
You think you're
a good soldier.
You're just a lapdog
for political bosses.
You'd probably
shoot me yourself
if they told you
it would serve
the greater good.
What am l
doing here?
Obviously it's not
because you
missed me.
I had the President
of the United States
tell me that my son
was a national
security risk.
So what?
He wants to burn
me at the stake?
No, lucky
for you,
he wants to
hear you out.
Oh, you
mean he wants
to cover his ass.
(anchorwoman)
Increased electronic
interference continues
[static]
to be reported from
around the world.
This new development,
coupled with the increase
of reported seismic activity,
and the appearance
of what seems to
be auroras
all around the globe
have many fearing
for the worst.
Oh, my God.
Are you guys okay?
What happened?
Where's your car?
This thin skin is
the Earth's crust.
Spitting liquid
in the core
is the engine
which generates our
protective magnetic field.
Dr. Mayfield, we
didn't bring
you here
for a
geology class.
A shift in
the axis tilt
causes slippage
of the crust
around the core.
Consequently, the Earth
is now out of alignment
with its magnetic field.
And the misaligned crust
is causing increased
seismic activity.
Yes, yes, we're
aware of all that.
We just want to hear
specific evidence
pertaining to your--
far-fetched notion
of a pole reversal.
I assume
you're aware
of beached whales,
birds migrating in
the wrong direction,
bees swarming.
Yes, creatures realigned
with the magnetic field
for navigation
were confused, a
short-lived result
of the comet's
temporary distortion
of the magnetic field.
Answer me this, then,
why are polar auroras
suddenly appearing in
places they shouldn't?
Again, temporary
distortion of the
magnetic field.
Similar to what occurs
when there's a bad
solar storm.
What are we
talking about
here, gentlemen?
Aurora Borealis?
Auroras normally occur
when the Earth's poles
attract solar particles.
The fact that so many
polar auroras are
appearing elsewhere,
indicates that
new magnetic
poles are developing.
I saw a
polar aurora
here
last night.
We are now sitting
on a magnetic pole.
Which explains all the
electromagnetic interference,
and the
seismic activity
we've been having.
Many strange anomalies
have occurred in
modern times
without catastrophic
consequence.
These, um, fields
are like, um,
rubber bands.
They bend and
stretch and thin,
but inevitably they
always return to
their original state.
But this
time the rubber
band has snapped!
Mr. President, the mini poles
indicate electromagnetic
reversal has started.
As the
north and south
poles disintegrate,
the magnetic field
they support
will collapse,
static discharges
will create
electromagnetic shock waves
which will fry
everything electronic.
We'll be
thrown back into
the Stone Age.
The north and
south poles
will disappear,
reemerging at
opposite ends
of the globe,
by which point
our protective
magnetic shield
will be completely
gone, exposing us
to cosmic rays
which will
incinerate the planet,
just like what
happened on Mars!
Must we be
so melodramatic?
This is real science,
Mr. President.
This planet
has seen many
geomagnetic reversals.
Just not since
we've been here.
As a man
of science,
I'm sure you can
appreciate the need
for thoughtful,
rational discussion.
However, your melodrama
and sensational
media appearances,
gives one the impression
that your intentions
are perhaps
more to do
with self-promotion.
I've had a long
day, gentlemen.
I'm signing off.
What did you
expect, James?
You just told them
the world was
gonna end.
This isn't
global warming, Dad,
where we can spend
years dragging our feet
and debating
the facts.
They'll find
out soon enough.
[birds chirping]
[soft music
over car radio]
[piercing sound
over radio]
Wait.
That's the same sound
I heard just before
the quake last night.
[shrill sound]
[radio wallah]
[piercing sound
over radio]
Stop the car!
[distant dull roar]
Turn off the car!
[thunderous booming]
[sizzling]
[shout]
[beeping]
My God.
I've never seen
anything like this.
[beeps]
Save your
data everybody!
[phone rings]
Storm Hazards.
(James)
What just happened?
Oh, my God, James.
It was a massive 40 khz
EM pulse surge.
Unlike anything
we've ever seen.
Yes. All the cities
that were hit were
blacked out.
And not only that.
Most of the satellites
in orbit got fried.
What could have
possibly created
a surge like that?
It's gotta be
connected to the
polar auroras.
Were the
hits random?
I don't know yet.
We lost power
during the spike,
which was
lucky for us.
Otherwise the EM
surge would have
fried everything.
We're just getting our
emergency generators going.
We're pulling up data now.
I'm seeing about
where 40-mile wide
EM waves struck Earth.
Overlay the locations
of the mini poles
on your screen,
and tell me
what you see.
Overlay locations
of all detected
mini poles.
Oh, my God.
All the hit areas
are where the
mini poles are.
Then that's it.
The solar particles
attracted by the poles
are building up massive
electrostatic discharges!
Pam, your office
has to tell all
those hit areas
to evacuate,
including Lindenville.
The discharges are gonna
get much stronger as
the field fails.
It's going to be
hard to issue
an alert
with a global blackout
but we'll certainly
do our best.
Can you run a
timeline projection
on your mainframe?
Give me
a couple
of hours.
It'll take a while
to process
the data.
James? How do
we stop this?
I don't know
that we can.
We just had the first
worldwide blackout
in history.
And you and none
of your brains
can explain why?
What we know
right now
for certain
is that the
affected cities
were struck
by large
electromagnetic shock waves.
Just as
Dr. Mayfield
had predicted.
General, have
you been able to
locate your son yet?
Not yet, sir.
He's in one of
the blackout areas.
Well, I want to speak
with him as soon as
he's located.
Yes, Mr. President.
So tell me,
Dr. Elman,
can you still say
with a certainty
that we're
not experiencing
pole reversal?
I don't have an
answer right
now, sir.
Are we
going to see
more of this?
Give me the
worst-case scenario.
Mr. President, until
we've assembled
our teams,
I don't want
to speculate
on something
that's not my
area of expertise.
Don't try to
cover your ass
with me, doctor.
We've got power outages
across the country!
American lives are at risk!
So tell me,
to the best
of your ability,
are we going
to see more
of this?
I believe so,
Mr. President.
Then I have
no choice
but to declare
federal martial law.
General Mayfield?
Yes, sir.
You'll supervise
west coast operations.
Yes, Mr. President.
We'll start setting
up shelters in the
affected areas, sir.
James, thank God.
Did you
find Shane?
Yeah, he was
at the park,
I've been trying
to call you.
Cell phones are useless.
Only landlines
are working.
Where's Shane?
One of the
kids he was
with last night
was killed in
the earthquake.
Oh, no.
What's going on?
There's no power
and I saw an EM
wave in the sky.
It's bad. We're gonna
have to get out
of Lindenville.
Shane.
You okay?
It's happening, huh?
Is the world
falling apart?
No, no.
Just going
through a
rough patch.
I've packed
for us both.
I'm not
going with you.
What do
you mean?
I'm going back
to the base.
What are you
talking about?
Why?
I have an idea,
and I have to talk
to the President.
I don't want
to, Cyn,
I just--
I don't see
that there's
a choice.
You're right,
there is no choice,
because your
family comes first.
No wonder Shane thinks
you don't love him.
Listen to me.
This is
not a drill.
It's the real deal.
The survival of
the planet depends
on actions taken
in the next
and those
so-called government
science advisers
don't have a clue.
I have to
do this.
For us.
We're here, smack in
the middle of a mini
pole's magnetic center,
the most
dangerous place
to be right now.
Everywhere inside
this circle
is gonna get
bombarded by
EM pulses
and torn apart by
seismic disturbances.
I want you guys
out of this circle
as soon as possible.
Go to this town here,
Little Brook
and wait for
me, okay?
What are you
talking about, Dad?
You're coming, right?
I can't.
I have to go
back to the base.
I don't believe
it, you're
abandoning us?
That sucks!
Try to understand,
there is a global
crisis going on.
You think
I don't
know that?
I saw one of my classmates
crushed to death in
a car last night.
I know.
I'm sorry.
So you don't care
if the same thing
happens to us?
Of course I do,
that's why I have
to fix this.
We'll be okay.
Leave me alone.
Shane, come on!
When an EM wave hits,
turn the car off till
it passes.
The electronics won't be
short-circuited as long as
the power's off.
If the power's on,
you and the car
will fry.
How long
will you be?
A day.
Maybe two.
Be careful.
Yeah.
You too.
Shane?
No! No!
No, no, no!
Take those
earbuds off.
Stay away
from electronics.
You will
get electrocuted
if an EM wave hits.
I'm serious.
It's dangerous.
Get rid of it.
I'll see you soon.
Hey--
I love you.
(male voice over radio)
All residents are
advised to remain tuned
to this emergency
broadcast channel.
Federal martial law
has been declared.
Lindenville residents
are ordered to evacuate
their homes
and take shelter
at Lindenville parish.
Why are they telling
everyone to go
to the church?
Didn't Dad say
it's dangerous
to stay in town?
Oh, what's this?
The road's closed.
You're supposed to take
shelter in the parish.
We're going
to Little Brook.
Ma'am, we have orders
to divert everyone to
the Lindenville parish.
That's ridiculous.
It's not even
safe there.
Ma'am, please,
just back it up.
Alright? Let's go.
[radio wallah
with interference]
Come on!
[piercing sound]
[distant roar]
(male voice over radio
with shrill noise)
--ordered to evacuate
their homes
and take shelter--
[shrill noise]
[click]
Turn the car off!
[growing thunder]
[sizzling]
[sizzling and humming]
[silence]
I think it's gone.
Start the car.
Damn it!
We'll have
to go back.
[loud growing rumble]
[loud cracking]
Get out of
the car now!
Come on! Jump!
[scream]
No!
[distant rumble dies away]
[birds chirping]
[motor starts smoothly]
[gasping]
[scream]
I can't hold on!
Yes, you can!!
Don't let go!!
Help!
Anybody, help!
Grab it!
Come on!!
[groaning]
(James)
We need to
evacuate everyone
from the mini
pole sites.
We just started
rounding up people
for the shelters.
No, you can't
do that.
The plasma charges
building up from
the pole reversal
are escaping
through the
mini poles.
This whole area
is gonna get hit
worse and worse,
as the field fails.
Alright. I'll notify
the soldiers
but communications
have been spotty.
What about
the President?
Will you be able
to contact him?
Yeah, the emergency
hotline is holding up.
Good. I've got
a crazy idea.
I need to
access Storm
Hazard's mainframe.
Oh, follow me.
[phone rings]
Storm Hazards.
Pam, talk to me.
I'm briefing
the President
in a few minutes.
James, the
computer projection--
it's not good.
I need to see
whoever's in charge.
Get that.
Take them in.
Inside this circle
is the most dangerous
place in the west coast.
We're here,
at the epicenter
of the mini pole
creating the
electromagnetic and
seismic disturbances.
We need to move
all of these people
outside the
circle to here.
Where did you get
this information?
My husband,
Dr. James Mayfield.
He's a government
astrophysicist.
He's briefing the
President right now.
I--l--I haven't heard
anything about this.
My orders are to keep
everybody here.
I know, but
I'm telling you
it's not safe here.
Lindenville has become
the magnetic center
of a mini pole.
What is that?
Mini pole?
[motor starts]
No, no, no.
Turn the
power off.
The electricity will
attract the next
EM pulse.
You have to shut
the generator down.
Shut it down?
I don't think so.
You're not
listening to me!
We're in danger here!
Ma'am, federal martial
law has been declared.
I can't just move
hundreds of people
because you show me
some map with a circle
drawn on it.
You know what?
Call General Mayfield.
He'll vouch
for everything
I just said.
(James)
Storm Hazard's lab
just ran this projection.
This is what the magnetic
field normally looks like.
This is what it
looks like now.
Punctured by
mini poles.
This is 12 hours out.
Magnetic field
at zero Gauss.
Gentlemen, we
have two days
before our planet loses
its protective shield.
and solar radiation
burns us all to
a crisp.
Anyone here
take issue with Dr.
Mayfield's projections?
No, sir.
No, sir.
Alright, then,
so who's got a
game plan to stop
this pole reversal?
Alright, this is
the way I see it.
What if we detonate
a nuclear explosion
of a magnitude equal
to that with which
the comet
fragment hit Earth
in the
opposing hemisphere
so that it
pushes back
with equal force?
Are you crazy?
How do we know
it wouldn't make
things worse?
What about fallout?
Fallout?
The pole reversal
completes in
and then it is
bye-bye planet.
Does anybody else
have a better idea?
That's what
I thought.
That comet
fragment hit us
with the force of
a 100-megaton bomb.
We don't
have a warhead
that powerful.
What's the most
powerful nuke in
the U.S. arsenal?
We have a new 50-megaton
prototype that's at the
nuclear test site.
We can do a
double detonation
to equal a hundred.
[noises over radio]
And?
We can't get through
to the general.
Our communications
are down.
We can't just leave
these people here.
This place is a
ticking time bomb.
I suggest
you find a cot
and you chill.
And?
(soldier)
Not yet, sir.
Zoe!
Hey, when did
you get here?
Just a few
minutes ago.
Excuse me, everybody.
Can I have your
attention please?
Hi, I'm
Cynthia Mayfield,
I'm a science teacher
at Lindenville High.
Many of you know that
my husband, Dr.
James Mayfield
is a
respected astrophysicist.
He's told me
that our town
is the epicenter
of the
electromagnetic and
seismic disturbances
that is
happening on
the west coast
and that it's very
dangerous to stay here.
So we need to move
outside the circle.
The nearest
safe town is
Little Brook.
(soldier)
You want to step
down from there, ma'am?
How come the
soldiers don't
know this?
Because their
communications are down.
They're completely
in the dark.
I'm not gonna ask
you again, ma'am.
Please, listen to me.
We could all die here!
Get her off
of there.
Is it true?
If you open your
mouth about this
to anyone again,
you will
be arrested.
Is that clear?
Yes.
And I don't want
to see that
map again.
Release her.
(general)
James, you'll
be happy to know
that the
bomber is
on its way.
And 250-megaton
warheads will launch
at 16:00 hours.
[phone rings]
Yes?
What do you mean
we lost the plane?
Yes.
Thank you.
An EM pulse took
out the bomber.
The warheads
exploded in midair.
They have to try again.
Send another plane.
James, the skies are
unflyable. We'll
lose them all.
They have to try.
Send 20 planes.
One might get through.
James. James.
You have to think
of something
else. Fast.
There's got to
be another way.
(Cyn)
We've got to
get out of here.
Why would the soldiers
keep us here if it
isn't safe?
Because they
don't know anything.
They're just
following their
last orders.
Communications have
gotten so bad
they can't
even contact
their superiors.
What do you
want to do?
Dr. Mayfield was right
when he said the comet
might hit Earth.
I think we
should go.
We're in.
Come on.
It's right over here.
This one here.
Those poor people,
I feel so bad
leaving them.
You did everything
you could, Cyn.
(James)
Gentlemen, I have a
new plan that might just work.
We're gonna detonate
at the bottom of
the ocean,
the Mariana Trench, the
deepest point in
the Earth's crust.
Dr. Elman?
Yes, the
ocean crust
is thin enough
that the blast
could go right through
to the lithosphere
yes, it could conceivably
push the planet back
into alignment.
The Mariana Trench
is over 36,000 feet,
deep, doctor.
How do you plan
on getting there?
A submarine.
Unfortunately, doctor,
we don't have any
that are operational.
What do you mean?
EM interference
crippled the
onboard computers
that control the
nuclear reactors.
Are you telling me
there's not a single
sub out there?
That's right.
That's not exactly
true, general.
The Russians have an old
diesel they still
train on.
She isn't
pretty but
she's running.
She's on the west coast
for international training.
Open that bunker.
Yes, sir!
[emergency radio wallah]
I guess they're still
ordering everyone
to the church.
[radio interference
with whistle]
I can hear it.
Hear what?
An EM
pulse tone.
What's an
EM pulse tone?
Electromagnetic shockwave.
It's a burst of
electromagnetic energy
coming from mini pole.
That sub should
be in the harbor
by now.
[shrill whistle over radio]
What the heck
is that noise?
It's a pulse tone.
Cut the engine, Dad.
Now?
Yes! Stop
the car,
right now!
[shrill piercing whistle]
Ah!
What was that?
[shrill whistle]
[click]
There it is!
Oh, my God.
Turn the car
off, Michael!
Turn it off!
Everything electric
has to be turned off,
your cell phones,
mp3 players,
everything.
Get rid of your
watch, Michael.
[distant roar]
I hope those guys
remember to cut
their engine.
Cut your engine!
[many screams]
Cut your engine!!
Cut your engine!!
I think it passed.
Michael, what's wrong?
Dad? Are
you okay?
Can you drive?
Sure.
James! Check
the engine.
We've got
no time
to waste.
Battery and
accelerator are fried.
Looks like we may
be an hour away from
getting out of the circle.
We need to get
my father to
a hospital.
What's wrong?
He has a pacemaker.
I think the storm
shorted it out.
Oh, God!
Here.
How are
we doing?
Good. Give
it a try.
Okay.
[motor starts]
[Russian wallah]
[horn honks]
It is an honor,
General Mayfield.
Captain Yolenkov.
This is
Dr. Mayfield.
Captain.
I see
the resemblance.
There are two
warheads in the
back of that truck.
[speaks Russian]
So, we work
together to
save world, no?
Yes. Dr. Mayfield
will formulate the
detonation sequence.
My ship, she strong as ox
but she's not so fast,
you know.
Yes. We know.
The closest town is
Clarksville. We passed
it a few minutes ago.
Maybe they
have a hospital.
No, don't go back.
I'm okay.
Just get out
of the circle.
[shrill whistle]
Oh, no,
not again.
[shrill whistle]
[distant roar]
(general)
They've gotta get
out of here fast.
(man)
Get out or I'll
blow your head off.
Okay.
Okay, okay.
Everyone get out
or I'll kill
all of you!
Please, my father
is having a
heart attack,
we have to get
him to a hospital.
Get out or I'll
put him out of
his misery.
Take it easy.
We're going.
Get out.
[shout]
[shout]
Dad!
[intermittent beeping]
What are the conditions
in the Mariana Trench?
Expect seismic
activity like
you've never seen.
You should
warn your crew
that the steam vents
will be heating up
the ocean
causing violent
current shifts.
Hm. All
this from rock
hitting Earth?
Technically, the
comet fragment was
made of ice, but yes.
So tell me, Dr. Mayfield,
you plan to detonate
these bombs at one time
[sigh]
No. Not exactly.
In order
to get a
I need to formulate a
detonation sequence
just milliseconds apart.
You know, of course, that
this vessel cannot outrun
such a shockwave.
We know.
Your crew, captain.
Do they know?
They have volunteered
for this mission,
in order
to save
their families.
[buzz]
[beep]
[thud]
Outrunning the
shockwave is the
least of our worries.
It's fried, Shane.
You know you can't
start a car without
the battery.
Cars in the old days
didn't have batteries.
They had
hand cranks.
Yeah, well,
we don't have
a hand crank,
and this is
a modern car.
You don't
need a battery
to drive either.
All yo need to
do is capture an
electrical charge
so it'll
help ignite
the spark plugs.
Where are we
gonna get
that from?
Ever seen
anything like this?
No one has.
We're witnessing
a geological event
that hasn't happened
on this scale in
millions of years.
What creates
such hell?
Massive techtonic movements.
How will this
affect the mission?
Well, it makes it
nearly impossible.
[metal groaning]
[metal groaning]
[shouts]
[ringing]
[speaks Russian]
[male voice over radio,
speaks in Russian]
Dad.
Dad.
I'm okay.
We have
lost one engine.
Power will
be 50%.
Hey.
Can Shane really
do what he says
he's doing?
All I know is Shane
loves working
with cars.
He's the
biggest greaser
at our school.
Better hurry up
with that, Shane.
Almost in position.
[metal groaning]
Damn it!
We cannot stay
at this dept
very long.
You have a
family, captain?
Of course.
So we're gonna stay
here as long as
it takes.
If we die from
a crushed hull
or a shockwave,
what difference
does it make?
If we fail,
the whole
world dies.
[beeping]
This is it.
We're on!
Okay, I got us
in the timers
on the warheads!
[speaks Russian]
Here it comes!
I'm just
about done.
I don't think l
should be holding
this anymore.
Almost there.
Shane!
Done!
Antena!
Tape!
Come on!
We need to
move away.
Shane, come on!
Let's go!
I feel happy
to die knowing
it was to--
save family
on surface.
But I'm sad
that you must
die with your son.
Until a few
days ago,
I hadn't
seen James
in five years.
So--
[door creaks]
(James)
We're on.
It's done, captain.
Fire when ready.
[alarm sounds]
It will be impossible
to outrun the shockwave
with one engine,
but at least
I tried.
(Shane)
I think it's done.
We just have to pray
that one static charge
has been trapped
in the cylinder.
[motor doesn't start]
Come on, baby.
[motor starts]
Yeah!
You're a genius!
We've got the greatest
show on earth here, Dad.
It's a scientist's
dream, isn't it?
Captain!
If you could take
us into that volcano,
the steam funnel might
propel us out of the
shockwave's path.
The hull is
not designed
for such temperatures.
Hm. What have
we got to lose?
[loud metal groaning]
Hull temperature
is rising.
The heat
is expanding
the metal.
[static]
Brace yourselves.
(President)
Thanks to unprecedented
cooperation between nations,
we have survived the
most catastrophic event to
ever threaten our existence.
The Earth has been healed.
The human spirit
has triumphed.
But we will honor those lost
with our resolve to rebuild,
and we will rejoice
in what we've
been given.
A chance for
a new beginning.
Ten a.m.
Perfect time.
And finally,
our fragile planet
owes a huge debt
to Dr. James Mayfield.
He's here.
(Shane)
Dad!
(James)
This is
your grandfather.