2012

Supposedly the Mayans predicted a catastrophe of global proportions in the year 2012; no, I'm not talking about the election of Sarah Palin as President of the United States. It's almost as bad though, namely, the end of the world, and most of the people in it. I'm no scientist, but here's a brief explanation: solar flares are heating up the earth's core, causing earthquakes and tsunamis, with the requisite death and destruction. In order to save the world's elite, and, anyone with a billion euros to spare, a series of huge floating ships are built to protect them until the earth is inhabitable once again. By the way, the arks are being built in China, no great surprise there. John Cusack stars as Jackson Curtis, a failed novelist reduced to driving a limo for an extremely wealthy Russian businessman who has already booked his passage on one of the ships. Curtis learns of the ships, and the whole end of the world thing on a camping trip, where he meets conspiracy theorist Charlie Frost, played by Woody Harrelson, who is by the way, the best thing in the film. Most of the action consists of Jackson trying to get himself, and his ex-wife and kids to one of the ships. This is not a film that one goes to see for masterful acting and a deep meaningful story; you go to watch stuff get destroyed, and this film has plenty of that, including the Washington Monument and the State of California. The special effects are first rate, and there's plenty of them. The characters are all one dimensional, and they all represent the usual archetypes that you would expect to see in a film of this genre. Danny Glover is the stoic President, and Oliver Platt is his cold-hearted Chief of Staff. Chiwetel Ejiofor plays the compassionate scientist who initially brings the crisis to the President's attention, and he rises above the cliched role to deliver a fine performance. The film was directed by Roland Emmerich, who also helmed Independence Day and The Day After Tomorrow, so I guess this one completes the trilogy. It's a fun film nonetheless, and it provides all the thrills and entertainment that you would expect from it. I'm a little surprised though to see it open in the so-called "serious" movie season, as it really fits in more as a summer blockbuster film, but if you see it, I think you'll enjoy it.

Rating - 3 Stars