What does audience look for in a natural disaster movie? Entertainment and excitement; and that’s exactly what 2012 delivers. If you are looking for a convincing work that’s supposed to scare its audience into caring more for the Earth, looks else where. If you are looking for an entertaining film with overwhelming special effects, read on.
| Title: | Paranormal Activity |  |
| Directed by: | Roland Emmerich | |
| Written by: | Harald Kloser; Roland Emmerich | |
| Release date(s): | November 11, 2009 (World premiere); November 13, 2009 (Canada & US & UK); November 21, 2009 (Japan) | |
| Starring: | John Cusack; Chiwetel Ejiofor; Amanda Peet; Thandie Newton; Oliver Platt | |
| Rating: | PG-13 | |
| Running time: | 158 minutes | |
| Language: | English |
2012 is a 2 and a half hour long movie that will have you asking for more afterwords; not because of how great it is, but how highly entertaining it is. Unfortunately, it’s just a pleasure to watch how the Earth goes into its demise, especially with Roland Emmerich’s reputation of over the top special effects in terms of destroying the world. What’s better than watching monuments around the world get demolished like falling dominos? Not to mention the signature buildings in Las Vegas and Los Angeles.
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As all other natural disaster movies, 2012 starts with a series of set up events which goes on for about 30 minutes. However, unlike most other similar genre, the movie comes with quite a few good jokes that are actually funny and have the audience laughing out loud. They help carry the movie through the otherwise would be boring first part of the movie. Then comes a couple hours of excitement and fun.
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With the addition of gigantic architectures in the path of total destruction, the special effects are plain awesome and impressive. Everything is the movie is upgraded to the max, in which nothing will escape from the end of the world, unless you are chosen to be the passenger of the “ships”. However, the several escapes by the main characters are simply unbelievable. There’s no way that any real person can escape death with the way they did in the movie, let alone the main character is merely a writer.
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But again, that’s absolutely not why one pays 10 dollars for, audience wants to see the special effects and 2012 is worth every penny of the 10 dollars. Though unrealistic, you’ll find yourself unconsciously tightens your muscles and rooting for the escapee as they maneuver through the rumbling world. So, if you want to see a convincing film instead, then go rent a documentary.
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One thing you can’t escape from this movie genre is the every so cheesy conversations of who’s right and who’s wrong; who’s the angel and who’s the devil. Fortunately, they are very short, probably only about 15 total minutes. It’s a smart move to leave any political or moral slogans out. In fact, the movie has the antagonist working for the human species, having the protagonist speechless in several occasions.
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A big let down of the movie comes from the finale, unfortunately. After a great deal of excitement and out of the mind special effects, it’s only fair to expect an unimaginable ending. All I have to say is, I was disappointed. Nonetheless, it’s still a good big screen movie. By the way, it’s also one of the few of its genre to have real actors in it. Oh and not sure why the Mayan prophecy’s such a big deal in the trailer, it’s basically none existence in the movie itself.
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The truth is out, ‘2012’ is a Bomb 8 out of 10. And yes, it’s one of those that must watch on big screen, not even your 50” TV.
Other ratings:
Rogerebert.com – 3.5 stars
Imdb.com – 6.7/10
Rottentomatoes.com – 39% Tomatometer
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