Preposterous? Check. Dizzying? Check. Extremely fun? Double check.
2012 is all of that and much, much, more. Truly the Holy Grail of disaster movies, 2012 combines action with special effects loaded sequences that are pulled off so seamlessly, yet are so improbable, that the film becomes part parody, part action adventure and wholly enjoyable.
Director Roland Emmerich, the duke of the disaster flick, has helmed Independence Day, Godzilla and The Day After Tomorrow. He has pulverized, annihilated and obliterated every major landmark across the globe. One would ask, “What else can Emmerich do?” Surpass it; which Emmerich certainly does with 2012, his latest doomsday epic spans two hours and 40 minutes in a mind-numbing smorgasbord of apocalyptic pleasure.
Mayans predicted it, the Bible knew about it, and scientists prepared for it, yet unlike Y2K, none could prevent this “end of days” scenario. Fortunately, for us at least, what ensues is an incredible amount of destruction. The core heats up, Earth’s crust crumbles and tsunamis swirl as the cataclysm reaches towering heights. In short, the end of the world has never looked this good at the multiplex.
The film’s star is John Cusack, who plays Jackson Curtis he is a modern day Renaissance man who writes novels almost nobody reads, is a part time limousine driver, failed both marriage and fatherhood and of course predictably saves the day. These qualities are all connected to the overall plot in a way too convenient fashion, yet who really cares? I didn’t, especially when the screen was overflowing with Emmerich’s impressive eye for destruction.
World leaders in the film knew that this “Judgment Day” would occur and likewise prepared in biblical fashion by constructing futuristic arks, deep inside the Himalayan Mountains. Jackson’s son is appropriately named Noah, only adding to the tongue-in-cheek satire that saturates the film.
2012 is implausible as it asks the viewer to suspend much belief, yet it’s hard to deny how much fun you’re having while watching this Disneyland attraction cleverly disguised as a movie.
There is some decent acting considering the material provided. Danny Glover is authentic as the president, while Woody Harrelson steals the show as a hippie conspiracy theorist. His performance is campy and could actually be his best work in years.
Although the film is rigid to a fault in a “paint by numbers” type of way, we nonetheless see some originality — I use that term loosely, as American landmarks Yellowstone and Las Vegas are decimated for the first time on screen.
Where this film surpasses other films of the genre is its unyielding dedication to its plot structure, which it executes flawlessly. Sure, 2012 is predictable without a hint of uniqueness, yet going into it I realized that it’s not meant for Citizen Kane status. Even so, 2012 does manage to kick Shia LaBeof and his Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen shenanigans with an Optimus Prime sized foot.
How will Emmerich destroy the Earth next? He has expressed interest in an Independence Day sequel. What a “groundbreaking” idea, destroying the earth after it has previously been destroyed. Instead of waiting for an Independence Day sequel, invade theatres for 2012.
Matt Howard is a sophomore communication major from Nephi. He can be reached at howardfamilyut1@hotmail.com.
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