Roland Emmerich is back, bigger, and with more carnage. After destroying earth with aliens (Independence Day) and global warming + climate change (The Day After Tomorrow), I supposed 2012 should be the final of the Emmerich's "I HATE EARTH" trilogy, cause this is the most destructive one compared with the first two. Now, he uses the earth's axis shifting which is caused by the huge explosion at the sun surface, which triggers the catastrophic sequence, started with a dramatic increase in Earth's temperature. Consequently, the earth prepares itself to stabilize the condition, which brings us to the end of the world. So, we're introduced with the main casts, a geologist/scientist (Chiwetel Ejiofor) and a family with divorced parents (John Cusack and Amanda Peet), and don't forget, the U.S President (in black, played by Danny Glover). All these people are trapped in the horrific situation where in the end the met by chance to help each other.
Well, at least it's not our fault the earth collapsed.
Be warned, in order to enjoy the movie, don't forget to "leave the brain at the door", and don't take this seriously, it might frustrates you. As much as Emmerich wants to convince us with his script (yes, he wrote this thing), it's a no brainer after all, and it's kinda difficult to swallow that all the events in the movie will actually happen. And not just the disaster, but also how the people's behavior regarding the saving the human race.
Overall, the movie comprises 4 parts, started with building the tension and gave us some background story and introducing the main casts (which is really boring), then the L.A destruction, continued with the escape, and surviving. It's a one linear story, easy to comprehend yet quite depressing, especially when it runs for 150 minutes. The L.A destruction I must say is the highest point in the movie, and the afterwards events simply cannot top that one. I felt like after we watch the earth's rampage, and people try to save their butts, how will it end? I had major disappointment with "The Day After Tomorrow" and "War of The World", because the ending were so bad, that left me with harsh review. But in this case, 2012 provided us with satisfying one, where it began with disaster, and cheesy enough, it ended with togetherness and human spirit. Well, again, no brainer, but better than nothing.
But to be frank, it's not about the story and the actors' performances, it's all about the destructions! I believe it is where all the money goes. We all can hail Emmerich as the king of 'destroying' earth. Just like all his previous disaster movies, the visual effect and the CGI scenes are so damn good and convincing, or even have so much details in it, and I must even say it's the best and the biggest of its kind. It's like a show case of destroying big cities in a way which you've never imagined, just name one, and big chance you'll get it (apart from New York, cause it has been destroyed for too many times). If you pay to see all these events, well, you'll get them, way above your expectations.
The '1 billion euros' plot is also an intriguing part of the story, since it is really harsh, but it's fat chance that only the rich people and big names can save themselves. The drama between father and son is always a good choice to drop your tears out, but if it is used over and over, you may get tired of it (hell yes, in my case). Also, I didn't like how they kill off one of the character near the end, I think it was unnecessary, and they should give him a break after what he's been through. From all the cast member, I only see Chiweter Ejiofor as the stand out one. He played so well, and I believe he deserves to get another main role in other movies. While John Cusack was overused as the 'superhero', Amanda Peet didn't deliver that much, and Oliver Platt gave us a good one, as the antagonist politician. The rest are okay, and they were some terrible ones e.g all the damn Russians (except the pilot), and Woody Harrelson's character, a radio host which is so damn annoying. And what the hell with the Arnie's impersonation, with terrible accent??? Another thing, I still wondering whether Emmerich hates Christianity as well, since he destroyed the Vatican and Rio's Jesus giant statue. I mean, why Hollywood always makes something out of Christianity?
Overall, with a decent story + decent cast + HUGE visual effect, it turns out to be a good one. It's definitely not an Oscar worthy, so don't expect too much. Just enjoy it the biggest disaster movie you can get. 2012 ultimately becomes an exercise in repetition and tedium. But, considering the subject matter, that's quite an accomplishment.
PS: Long live Africa!
My Ratings : 7/10
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