2012 is the latest big budget, popcorn, catastrophic film from favorite director Roland Emmerich… and this one stars acting sensation John Cusack! The film takes place in the advent of the titular year2012. The premise of the film is based on ancient Mayan predictions that a series of cataclysmic events result in the destruction of the world as we know it and how a man tries to rescue his friends and family while trying to ensure their survival through the event.
Jackson Curtis, (Cusack), is a typical upper-middle class person in today’s society who is trying to juggle the challenges of his life as a writer by day and driver by nigh… ahem, any free time he can find. His ex and son live with mom’s current love interest and live an excruciating satisfying life. Predictably he stumbles on the fact that the government has discovered scientific evidence to give credence to the2012 prediction and instantly takes upon himself to save his son and family.
There was a a lot to enjoy in the special effects in this film. Don’t get me wrong the movie isn’t doing anything noteworthy from some of the latest Hollywood blockbusters but it’s not lacking like some of the latest either. You won’t be floored by the special effects, but rather the imagery of seeing global landmarks and obliterated in touchingly interesting and creative fashion. Roland Emmerich has become a pro when it comes to putting together a big budget flicks with a heavy helping of special effects on the side so I could somewhat predict what I was walking into.
The major weak spot of the movie, and somewhat of a deal breaker, lies in it’s storytelling as some of the dialogue and pacing. I thought the movie turned out to be unnecessarily slow in some areas and down right annoying in others. I thought that the large scale of the movie was thoughtfully handled but the truth of the matter is that a large scale doesn’t make up for shoddy character interaction and lengthy scenes of boring dialogue that does nothing to progress the story at all. Some of the story was interesting and I thought that some of the performances from the cast was well done. I enjoyed the cameo by Woody Harrelson in this movie and wish he was used on a better role and more time as his appearances were an instant and seemingly redeeming bright spots in some rather dull progression of the story with his hilarious delusional rants as a anti-government maniac broadcasting his own pirate radio as I’m sure you can almost see the enjoyment on his face when playing the role.
I think the film had some great special effects and starred one of my favorite actors in the lead. I think it may have been a little too long like they decided to use a lot of filler shots throughout the film to extend the length and give it more sales appeal when it comes to delivering a large scale disaster film. Obviously a ton of people ran out to see this movie but if you haven’t then you should… just clear more time than usual out of your calendar. Personally, I honestly think that the Blu ray will be the inevitable best way to enjoy this film.
C+
