Disaster movies have been around for a long time. State of the art special effects partly driven by new computer models sure can solidify that fear element. Master filmmaker Roland Emmerich (Independence Day) returns to familiar territory in the visually stunning 2012, a big effects driven blockbuster from Columbia Pictures now staking out an impressive presence at Oakridge Cinemas, Empire Studio 12, Colossus and Famous Players Silver City cites around B.C.
Edge of your seat thrills will grip audiences for over two and a half hours here. Global in scope Emmerich takes us on an unbelievable journey as catastrophic events begin to take their toll on poor old Earth. Scientists around the world do their best to uncover the mystery but by then it may be too late.
Spectacular Special Effects blow you away
While the best brains in the field seem to have been taken aback by the rapidity of this doomsday scenario we are introduced to happy go lucky Jackson Curtis. All Jackson wants is to bond with his kids but somehow he gets wound up in the story as California quickly fades to a mere memory. Landmarks around the world begin to disappear as a pending doom sets in.
Out to try to find a solution to this unknown mystery is Dr. Adrian Helmsley. Expect to see lots of second guessing and stonewalling as the good doctor, a physicist by training, tries to tell his superiors what’s coming to destroy them. Efforts to find a solution seem pointless as the bureaucracy goes about its merry way and egos begin to collide.
Smart from start to finish, 2012 is an outstanding technical achievement. Atmosphere is everything to these disaster type movies and Emmerich smartly uses famous locations to unleash those naturally occurring freaks of nature. Smart science is well brought up as are the great characters that populate this story.
Unlikely Hero John Cusack rises to the occasion
Likeable John Cusack (Runaway Jury) does a grand job as a down on his luck ex-husband who must come to terms with his family, new lovers and, oh, yes, the odd street cracking right before his eyes – and feet and ears. No country is spared here as heroes and villains appear at a moment’s notice and bear heavily on the upheaval that gets worse by the second.
Busy as ever Woody Harrelson (Zombieland) pulls off another wild and crazy character while Amanda Peet (The Whole Nine Yards) does nicely as a mom in turmoil. Even though Cusack gets top billing the real star of this movie, apart from those uncanny special effects and the breakneck speed the world is collapsing, right before our very eyes, is Chiwetel Ejifor (Talk To Me) who continues to grow with each and every role he takes on, whether it’s a scientist here or a crossdresser from England.
2012 features a big cast with nice deliveries also from Oliver Platt (Frost/Nixon) and Thandie Newton (Mission Impossible 2). About the only misfire here is having Danny Glover (Lethal Weapon 2) pretend to be a president. Barrack Obama Mr. Glover isn’t.
Huge sets that are impressive, tension that never abates and a fight for survival make 2012 a terrific joy ride. Bottom line here is to enjoy life while you can.
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