2012 Review – My first post!
With Independence Day, The Day After Tomorrow and now 2012 to add to his resume, Director Roland Emmerich can in my opinion crown himself as the king of apocalyptic movies. Like his previous offerings 2012 has set a new standard for disaster movies, raising the bar with deafening realism and visually stunning effects and I know that sounds like the back of a DVD box but in this case it’s an understatement. Yes the plot may be as thin as a bus ticket, but the mind blowing special effects and delicately placed humour make this movie stand out from the crowd.
One of 2012′s other biggest strengths was its subtle social critique, this again was delicately balanced to allow us to feel the injustices portrayed in the film, whilst avoiding any finger pointing to any one group or government and thus removing any anger by quite conveniently diverting it all towards the presidents right hand man, Anheuser (Oliver Platt) who not only was to blame for keeping the oncoming disaster a secret from the public, but also killed to protect it. Again our feelings towards the pre-warned billionaires buying tickets to secure their survival while billions were left for dead were appeased by using a caricature character, in the form of Russian diplomat Yuri Karpov (Zlatko Buric.)
Some may see the dousing of our sensitive social emotions as negative points of the movie and that it’s typical Hollywood all inclusive, no ones to blame, happy ending fair. However I’d disagree, as I don’t go to see a disaster movie to be preached to. I’m fully aware of the injustices in this world and prefer not to get riled up and angry during a Saturday evening’s entertainment.
Ok so that’s the positive stuff out of the way, there were a few things I did take exception to, but I’m not going to give it too much flack or write one of these needlessly long winded reviews that analyse every minute detail. However there’s only so many times a plane can avoid near disaster and I think I grew a five o’clock shadow by the time the erupting volcano finally reached our hero’s, but I was still on the edge of my seat willing them on. I also felt that considering the length of the movie some of the characters were a little under developed, namely Laura Wilson (Thandie Newton) I think we all could of done with seeing a bit more of her, don’t you!?
As I said I’m not going to focus too much on the negative aspects of the movie, for the most part they were only minor and didn’t detract from what was a very enjoyable experience, that left me with the unusual feeling of being happy at the cost of my over priced cinema ticket.
To sum this up in a nut shell, it’s a spectacular movie with minor flaws that can easily be over looked. Ultimately what makes this movie work is its perfectly blended cocktail of action packed special effects, playful dialogue and tension.
2012 - Thandie Newton & Chiwetel Ejiofor
Great review but I disagree with some points you made. movies shouldn’t shy away from the cold hard realities of life that kind of thinking is what got this world in such a mess to begin with. there’s too much sugar coating going on in Hollywood these day. And yes I too want to be entertained but I don’t want to be brainwashed at the same time!
Jeez! givemereality givemeabreak or WTF yer name is take a pill man
As with “Independence Day,” “2012″ is what comes of hiring legitimate actors to hawk hokum. And “2012″ certainly is all cheese on wry, but it’s smart within its means as a palpable, if popcorn, lesson about parental and personal responsibility.