2012
Starring: John Cusack, Amanda Peet, Chiwetel Ejiofor.
Runtime: 158 minutes.
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for intense disaster sequences and some language.
Directed by: Roland Emmerich.
Allow me to preface this review by saying that the 2012 doomsday theory is false. Absolutely false. The world will not end in 2012, because the theory is based off of an ancient calendar that had to end eventually. Remember Y2K? Exactly. My point being is that if you believe this nonsense you should not go see this film. It will give your simple mind too many things to worry about, at least until you get distracted by butterflies or shiny objects.
All that being said, as for the new disaster film by the director of “Independence Day” and “The Day After Tomorrow”, it’s absolutely awesome for what it is. Even though the real-life theory is complete nonsense, the movie tries to be light on the cheese and while it isn’t always successful, the premise is pretty believable in the context of the film. It combines this story with what is essentially every single possible natural disaster destroying the planet and, of course, everyone in it.
The story of the film starts in 2009, when an American scientist, along with a friend in India, discovers a disturbing occurrence that is beginning to happen. A planetary alignment is causing increased solar flares in the sun, which in turn heat up the Earth’s core, causing the crust to shift. The rest is just like “The Day After Tomorrow” in that they wait too long to notify anyone.
Enter John Cusack’s character, named Jackson Curtis, who, of course, is having family troubles and thus the imminent apocalypse will help him win his ex-wife, played by Amanda Peet, back. While at Yellowstone with his kids, he overhears a theory about the earth’s crust shifting, causing earthquakes, tidal waves, tsunamis, and Yellowstone turning into the biggest active volcano on the planet.
After this setup sequence, the rest of the movie basically shows you the entire planet succumbing to these disasters and is absolutely amazing to look at. When Yellowstone goes off towards the beginning of the film, it puts nuclear weapons to shame for sheer destruction. The Vatican and the Washington Monument are just a few of the things destroyed in this film.
Now while the acting isn’t terrible, it isn’t very good either, with Woody Harrelson being the lone standout. The effects are exactly what one would expect from something like this, and while they are obviously CGI, they are very convincing and never pull you out of the experience.
The last thing about this film that deserves mentioning is the running time. At 158 minutes, it certainly can be daunting, but to my surprise, I wasn’t ever bored with it. Even when the disaster sequences aren’t happening, the acting and story were compelling enough to keep me interested in it.
My bottom line is that while the acting isn’t great and the story could be more original, “2012” is great. It won’t change your life, but the disaster sequences are amazingly fun to look at and it never really gets too dull. I recommend that you see this one in the theaters as to get the full spectacle that this film has to offer.
B