2012

Director: Ronald Emmerich

For the last couple of decades Hollywood directors have made countless amount of effort (most of which was unsuccessful) to show the audience the possible end of the world. The latest try was directed and produced by the experienced action/adventure movie maker Ronald Emmerich. It must be mentioned that this movie is hardly different from any other catastrophe movie, except that it is much more epic than everything Emmerich has done before.

The movie starts by showing us Dr. Adrian Helmsley (Chiwetel Ejiofor), part of a worldwide geophysical team, investigating the effect on the earth of radiation from unprecedented solar storms. During his investigation he learns that the earth’s core is heating up and is becoming unstable, causing the tectonic plates to move. He informs the government that this will lead to cataclysms, which are able to destroy the entire human race. While the preparations for saving a fraction of the world’s population begin, common people such as writer Jackson Curtis (John Cusack), struggle to save their lives and the lives of their families.

Probably the best part of the movie is its epic caliber. Magnificent and scarily beautiful scenes of L.A getting destroyed by an unseen earthquake, or a wave so big as to be able to cover the Himalayan mountains. The forces of nature are shown in all their power – destroying what mankind has been building for ages, spreading panic and havoc. Congratulations to the special effects makers.

Unfortunately, all the other parts of the movie leave a lot to be desired. The plot is stupid (to say the least), the acting poor and unconvincing (the only actor delivering some sort of solid performance is Woody Harrelson), the music, as usual for a catastrophe movie is over-dramatic and completely predictable.

So, as is common for Hollywood’s latest blockbusters, “2012” is another high-budget, but low-class picture, with tons of explosions, tons of action, but with no sense whatsoever. Still, if action is what you’re looking for, you might be satisfied with this.  

Now showing in all three countries