MOVIE REVIEW: 2012
2012
Director: Roland Emmerich
Screenplay: Roland Emmerich & Harald Kloser
TRT: 158 Minutes PG-13) for intense disaster sequences and some language.
Cast
John Cusack as Jackson Curtis
Amanda Peet as Kate Curtis
Chiwetel Ejiofor as Adrian Helmsley
Thandie Newton as Laura Wilson
Oliver Platt as Carl Anheuser
Tom McCarthy as Gordon Silberman
Woody Harrelson as Charlie Frost
Danny Glover as President Thomas Wilson
Peacock Feathers (2 out of 5)
By Marcus Thorpe
Imagine if the world was a Chipotle burrito, now the new film 2012 is basically what would happen if you put that tasty bulk of heaven in the microwave while it was still wrapped in its aluminum foil! Let me start by saying I’m not the biggest “end of the world” movie-goer, maybe it’s just that I like things too much! And in 2012 the visuals are pretty amazing, and the last 30 minutes helps to right the ship for a while, but the writing shows a few cracks in the hull and leaves you a little seasick.
The story focuses on a few things, the end of the world based on the Mayan calendar, a struggle for a floundering writer and father, and his family now getting comfortable with a new man around the house. One of those topics is actually pretty interesting and its not the “Over The Top” type custody struggle. The lead goes to John Cusack (steps bravely out of his element, and hits more than misses) and his ex-wife (pretty bland performance from Amanda Peet. The couple has 2 young children who are having a tough time dealing with the fact that daddy is not living at home, but Tom McCarthy has stepped in to fill the void. During this time we learn that geologists have discovered there is something wrong with the world, its getting hot! After stumbling upon a top secret area with his kids Jackson Curtis meets the man who has it all figured out. A guy who truly lives in a van down by the river (a very weird, pickle-wielding Woody Harrleson.)
After realizing that the world isn’t going to hold together for long, its time for every man for himself. Jackson rushes to save the one thing that actually means something to him, his family. Of course the only way to survive, get off the ground and into the air. Not surprisingly the family hijacks a plane, the step-dad has some idea how to fly, and yet navigates like Snoopy VS the Red Baron. If you are looking for quality performances, they come in the form of Oliver Platt and Chinese Ejiofor. They find themselves in a power struggle for right and wrong after the current President (a warm performance by Danny Glover) decides to go down with the ship, even though the ship was the only way to stay alive!
Look, this movie is just about how you thought it would be. Tons of eye-candy that is slick, looks really good, and you get the feeling that the director Emmerich, hopes you won’t notice the cheesy, ridiculous comments between bombs and fires. Even that gets ridiculous as Jackson drives a van through a number of fireballs. Just think a sharp-shooter who is firing at a suspect but can’t seem to hit him despite 100 rounds fired! This “end of the world” flick is pretty expected, minus an Aerosmith love ballad. Seen it before, and as Danny Glover once said when he played the classic role of Roger Murtaugh… I’m getting too old for… well you know the rest!
MT
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Lots of destruction.. why dont you break down the movie or my review!! Leave your comments below!!
Posted by
on 11/16 at 11:16 PM
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Comments
Dude…thanks for saving my money on this one. I am usually drawn to the blockbuster end-of-the-world-type movies. I think I will just watch “Armageddon” again with the sound turned off, as you suggest, and wait for “2012” on basic cable.
Greg
Posted by Trumbold on 11/17 at 11:30 AM-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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