From 1998 the year of the 'End of the World' smackdown between this film and 'Armageddon', it's safer to say that this film has probably aged a little better than the bombastic Micheal Bay film, thanks to it's biggest difference - it's focus.

Instead of concentrating on the destruction (until the end, when the CGI kicks in as cities are swamped and populations destroyed) like the Bay film, this focuses on a different group of people who in different ways, have to face the end of their world.

From Elijah Wood's schoolboy who discovers the comet by accident, to the shuttle crew led by Robert Duvall sent out to try and minimise the damage there is a thoughtful and contemplative build up to the finale. Not that that doesn't deliver when it comes, but it's all the more affecting thanks to the characters we've followed.

A very good film.

A fantastic disaster movie, with great effects, touching and emotional storylines and an absolutely gripping story, the ending is so nerve shreddingly brilliant and is actually quite scary when you think about it.

This in my opinion is far better than Armageddon dont get me wrong Armageddon was a great film but I feel this film was much stronger with emotions and story.
The film begins when a teenage amateur astronomer discover a comet on a direct collision course for the Earth. The world is then thrown into turmoil has humanity has to accept their possible extinction. While NASA sends a shuttle up with the intention to try to blow the comet to bits, the US government selects people to be saved in a cave they are building to withstand the event. Focusing on various unrelated characters, the film shows how people react differently to the destruction of all that they know.
Deep impact is differnt from many films as gives a very human side to tragedy and devastation by showing how ordinary people cope in times of crisis but it avoids the trap of being trite and overly-sentimental. Hence the 5stars i give it