Daylight Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Sly Stallone is a taxi driver who dramatically regrets not taking the bridge when a tunnel turns into a watery inferno, forcing him to single-handedly save a motley crew of annoying stereotypes and a cute dog.

🍿 Daylight: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Disaster Begins

The film opens with various characters entering the Holland Tunnel between New York and New Jersey. A truck carrying illegally transported toxic waste is en route, and a group of jewel thieves fleeing the police also enter the tunnel. A high-speed chase leads to a catastrophic collision, igniting the toxic waste and causing a massive explosion that seals both ends of the tunnel.

Kit Latura Enters the Tunnel

Kit Latura (Sylvester Stallone), a former EMS Chief now working as a taxi driver, witnesses the explosion. Driven by his rescue instincts, he decides to enter the tunnel via the ventilation system, overcoming bureaucratic obstacles and risking his own life to reach the survivors. He is aware time is running out, as the air is limited and the structure unstable.

Trapped Survivors

Inside the tunnel, a diverse group of survivors struggle to cope with the aftermath of the explosion. They include a struggling playwright, a vacationing family, a group of juvenile offenders, and others. Led initially by Roy Nord (Viggo Mortensen), they attempt to find an escape route, facing rising water levels, collapsing debris, and diminishing hope.

Roy Nord’s Failed Attempt

Roy Nord attempts to lead the group through a mid-river service corridor, believing it to be a viable escape route. Latura warns against it, as it is structurally unsound. His warnings go unheeded, the passage collapses, killing Roy Nord, and causing another explosion which kills a juvenile offender.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Kit Latura (Sylvester Stallone): A disgraced former EMS chief turned taxi driver who takes on the responsibility of rescuing survivors trapped in a collapsed tunnel.
• Madelyne Thompson (Amy Brenneman): A struggling playwright who becomes a key ally to Kit in helping the survivors escape the tunnel.
• Roy Nord (Viggo Mortensen): An athletic sporting goods retailer and experienced climber among the survivors who initially tries to find his own way out, showcasing a more self-reliant approach.
• Frank Kraft (Dan Hedaya): A former EMS colleague of Kit’s who provides information and support from the outside, highlighting the importance of teamwork during a disaster.
• George Tyrell (Stan Shaw): A transit cop trapped in the tunnel who helps the group but ultimately sacrifices himself, representing the theme of selflessness.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Kit Latura: “Let’s take the bridge.” – Kit says this at the end, refusing to go back into a tunnel even for transport to the hospital after surviving the disaster.
• George Tyrell: “Get them back to daylight.” – George says this to Kit, entrusting him with the lives of the survivors as he sacrifices himself for their safety.
• Kit Latura: “I’m going in.” – Kit says this with determination when he decides to enter the collapsed tunnel to rescue the trapped survivors.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $80,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $33,023,469
• Worldwide Gross: $159,212,469

💥 Daylight Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so ‘Daylight’ isn’t winning any awards for originality, but I genuinely enjoyed it! Stallone’s performance actually surprised me; he brought a real sense of vulnerability to Kit Latura. I was on the edge of my seat during the tunnel collapse scene and definitely shed a tear or two when George had to stay behind. It’s a classic disaster flick with heart!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Sylvester Stallone action films.”
  • “Viewers who enjoy disaster movies with suspenseful rescue scenarios.”
  • “Those interested in practical effects and large-scale set pieces.”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Intense scenes of peril and destruction.”
  • “Graphic depictions of injuries and death.”
  • “Some strong language.”

Professional Reviews

• Rolling Stone: “While ‘Daylight’ hits the typical disaster movie notes with impressive special effects, it struggles to rise above cliché. Stallone delivers a grounded performance, but the script relies too heavily on predictable character arcs and over-the-top scenarios. Enjoyable as a popcorn flick, but lacks depth.
• The New York Times: “‘Daylight’ is a serviceable disaster movie, offering plenty of suspenseful moments and impressive visuals of a collapsing tunnel. However, the film’s reliance on tired tropes and thinly drawn characters prevents it from being truly memorable. Stallone brings his usual intensity, but it’s not enough to elevate the material.
• Variety: “‘Daylight’ delivers on its promise of action and thrills, showcasing impressive special effects and a compelling performance from Sylvester Stallone. However, the film’s predictable plot and stock characters prevent it from achieving true greatness. A decent disaster flick for fans of the genre.

Audience Reactions

The special effects of the initial explosion were incredible and truly stunning.: Most viewers appreciated the thrilling action sequences and the suspenseful atmosphere.

Sylvester Stallone’s performance as a flawed but determined hero was surprisingly good.: Many fans found Stallone’s portrayal of Kit Latura to be more nuanced than his typical action roles.

Overall Consensus: A formulaic but entertaining disaster movie with impressive special effects and a surprisingly grounded performance from Stallone. Good for a thrilling, if predictable, watch.

Awards

1. MTV Movie Award (Best Action Sequence)- 1997

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Sylvester Stallone took on the role in ‘Daylight’ partly to confront his fear of confined spaces, similar to his role in ‘Cliffhanger’ which aimed to tackle his fear of heights.”
• “The filmmakers constructed a massive tunnel set at Cinecittà Studios in Rome, Italy, to realistically portray the claustrophobic and chaotic environment of the disaster.”
• “During filming, the cast and crew faced practical challenges with water and fire effects, requiring careful coordination and safety measures to ensure a realistic yet secure environment.”

🖥️ How to Watch Daylight?

Currently, ‘Daylight’ is available for purchase or rental on various platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your preferred streaming service for availability.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Daylight, you might like these similar films:

• The Poseidon Adventure (1972): Shares the theme of a diverse group of people struggling to survive a catastrophic event, emphasizing teamwork and individual heroism.
• The Towering Inferno (1974): Similar high-stakes disaster scenario with a large ensemble cast facing overwhelming odds in a burning skyscraper.
• San Andreas (2015): Modern disaster film with large-scale destruction and a focus on rescue efforts amidst chaos, appealing to audiences who enjoy intense action and special effects.
• Backdraft (1991): Focuses on the bravery and dangers faced by firefighters, sharing themes of courage and sacrifice in the face of life-threatening situations.

🛒 Daylight Related Products

• Daylight (Blu-ray): Relive the thrilling adventure with this high-definition Blu-ray edition. Featuring enhanced picture and sound, this is the definitive way to experience the explosive action of ‘Daylight’.
• Daylight: The Official Novelization: Delve deeper into the story of ‘Daylight’ with this novelization. Explore character backstories and expanded scenes not featured in the film, offering a richer understanding of the disaster and its survivors.
• Emergency Rescue Team Building Block Set: Recreate iconic scenes from the movie and build your own rescue scenarios with a unique set of rescue themed building blocks! Test your skills in dangerous situations!
• Daylight Movie Poster – Sylvester Stallone: A high-quality reproduction of the original ‘Daylight’ movie poster. Perfect for decorating your home theater or adding a touch of 90s action to any room.

🎧 Soundtrack

Daylight features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Whenever There is Love” – performed by Bruce Roberts and Donna Summer

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Massive Toxic Tunnel Explosion Traps Hundreds Underground | Daylight (1996) | All Action

Whoa, check out this insane tunnel explosion from Daylight! It’s totally over-the-top and gives you a taste of the intense action the movie is all about. You HAVE to see this!

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