Movie Reviewed: 2012
Directed By: Roland Emmerich
Starring: John Cusack, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Danny Glover, Thandie Newton, Amanda Peet, Oliver Platt, Thomas McCarthy
Rated: Rated PG-13 for intense disaster sequences and some language.
Runtime: 158 minutes
Studio: Columbia Pictures



Nature takes its revenge on mankind in the high octane action packed end of the world epic, 2012. John Cusack is a likeable schmuck as limo driver to the affluent, Jackson Curtis. While on a camping trip, during a visitation weekend with his kids, Curtis discovers clues about the possible demise of the world from a crazy radio conspiracy theorist, Charlie Frost (Woody Harrelson.) Now one of the few people aware of the impending doom, Curtis manages to warn his ex-wife Kate (Amanda Peet) her new man, plastic surgeon, Gordon Silberman, (Thomas McCarthy) and just as the world is literally coming to an end.

Curtis and family use a host of air planes to make their escape and quite a few low performance vehicles like a limousine, and a motor home. Before the film�s end, most modes of transportation are used to escape the planet�s wrath. 2012 chronicles the attempt of a few survivors to stay ahead of the impending doom, as the earth simply disintegrates in the midst of any efforts to live. Watching entire cities swallowed whole by the earth is a disconcerting sight.

Cusack is a strange action hero selection, and yet you route for him every minute of the film. White House level scientist Adrian Helmsley (Chiwetel Ejiofor) serves as the voice of humanity throughout the film. The talented Tandie Newton, is Laura Wilson, the president�s beautiful, intelligent, and accomplished daughter, serves as little more than window dressing in this film, and that is a shame.

Action in 2012 is constant, yet so inconceivable that all of the escapes and near misses actually hinder the effectiveness of the exciting storyline. United States President Thomas Wilson (Danny Glover) makes some ridiculous decisions in the film, which leaves his evil, greedy, self-serving chief of staff, Carl Anheuser (Oliver Platt) at the helm. If Wilson�s crazy behavior and decision making in 2012, is a blatant attempt by 2012 writer -director Roland Emmerich, to poke fun at our existing president, it does not work. Nice try though.

Overblown CGI (computer generated images) and melodramatic daytime soap opera speeches in the middle of action montages are just a few of the situations which plague 2012. I know we are in the middle of a recession, but why is Hollywood kicking us when we are down? In addition to 2012, we also have the more somber, and grisly end of the world film, The Road in theatres. Isn�t it enough to lose one�s job, home, vehicle and source of income without then having to consider demise from the wrath of Mother Nature?

Disturbing to think that the only chance the world has to survive is because of Chinese produced ships. Have we learned nothing from tainted dog food, noxious wood planks used to build homes in the United States, lead filled children�s toys, and products that generally last for 5 minutes? Will any baby girls be allowed on the ship?

If you don�t jump out of your seat from the pumping of all that action adrenaline racing through your veins, then at the very least 2012 should serve as cause for reflection about our planet. The actual year 2012 is near, and after watching the film, we can only hope that this is complete fiction and contains no shred of truth.