I caught the preview of this last week thanks to the lovely folk at Sony. What do I have to say about it?
I’ve always thought of Roland Emmerich’s films as a guilty pleasure. I loved Stargate, Independence Day and The Day After Tomorrow for being the sort of movies that you can watch repeatedly and still get a certain ‘Wow’ factor from. They never take themselves too seriously and never make me think too much, as most of the films that I would normally seek out would. Sure, he has made some complete duds (looking at you 10,000 BC and Godzilla), but for the most part his movies have stunning effects and are very entertaining. I’m trying really hard not to be a snob here!
You all know the plot by now:
Centuries ago, the Mayan cililisation left us their calendar, with a clear end date and all that it implies. Since then, astrologists have discovered it, numerologists have found patterns that predict it, geologists say the earth is overdue for it, and even government scientists cannot deny the cataclysm of epic proportions that awaits the earth in 2012. A prophecy that began with the Maya has now been well-chronicled, discussed, taken apart and examined.
Unbelievable stuff. It makes for some amazing scenes though, as the earth literally crumbles around our protagonists.
2012 falls into the Independence Day movie category. It’s magnificent to watch, almost like being in a video game as they try to beat nature in order to survive.It is preposterous at times. But that’s OK. Why? Because it never takes itself too seriously. Not for a minute. In fact, I’m not sure if it’s meant to be, but it’s one of the funniest movies that I’ve seen this year. I found myself enjoying it and the fact that my mind could remove itself from the world for a few hours was great.
The cast is varied. John Cusack is his lovable self as the divorcee trying to win his family back. The usually reliable Chiwetel Ejiofor and Thandie Newton are given nothing to work with script wise as the scientist and First Daughter respectively. Danny Glover plays the pedestrian role of the US President and Woody Harrelson is hilarious in a cameo as the mad cap DJ, Charlie Frost (Harrelson should get some sort of award for his contribution to comedy this year!). Oliver Platt is excellent as the slimy government official, doing everything in his own self-interest.
Basically, if you put the ridiculous plot aside, ignore the jump from one story to the next, ignore the appalling stereotypical script and just focus on the fantastic CGI and the more than entertaining dialogue, you’ll really enjoy yourself.
This one is going to be Christmas Day DVD fodder for years to come, and I guarantee you that, if nothing else, you will be entertained for 2 and a bit hours.
6/10
In the meantime, pop over here for Darren and Lottie’s Top 5 John Cusack Movies
Will go see ’2012′ .. will watch ‘The Day after Tomorrow’ and ‘Independence Day’ whenever on television, more for the the characters and story than the ‘wow’ factor.
Or it will entertain us for and next 2 years, 1 month and 13 days.
It was in the paper yesterday that the only famous site not blown up in the film is Mecca cause someone was going to put a fatwa on the directer if he did. May have been an urban myth.
@bngr That’s actually true. Emmerich has said in interviews that he would fear the repercussions of blowing up Mecca but that he was really keen to do it.
Oh this is unbelievable rubbish but by Jesus is it entertaining. Don’t study it too deeply and just sit back and enjoy the ride.
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