Director: Roland Emmerich
Starring: John Cusack, Woody Harrelson and Chiwetel Ejiofor
‘A Breathtaking Blockbuster’
The prospect of the world ending has always terrified me. As far back as I can remember, end of the world theories have always made me feel terror. I’ve often been scared of theories predicting the end of the world. Although I’m well aware that such theories are not intended to be taken seriously, they frighten me. Several years ago, I started believing the prophecies that the world would end in the year 2012. Predicted by the Mayans, the theory clearly stated that the world would end on December 21, 2012. I remember how my friends would speculate in a panic on whether the theory was true. I was inclined to believe that the world was truly going to end on that fateful day. So, I was shocked to discover that the theory was wrong. Ever since then, I have always had a lifelong fear about the end of the world occurring in the future.
In 2009, the predictions that the world would end in 2012 was depicted in the movie “2012”. Roland Emmerich’s blockbuster brought to life a real theory about the end of the world which turned out to be wrong. Intense, entertaining and action-packed, the film reimagined a real-life disaster. Packed with breathtaking special effects, exhilarating action and strong acting, it’s a breathtaking disaster blockbuster. Although “2012” is undeniably engaging, it isn’t quite a flawless movie. It’s poorly paced, and lacks a strong sense of character development. That being said, it offers exhilarating entertainment that fans of disaster movies simply won’t be able to resist.
Based on the 2012 phenomenon, “2012” tells a story of a writer that becomes caught amidst an end of the world catastrophe. John Cusack embodies Jackson Curtis, a sci-fi writer seeking to publish a book. Jackson seeks to reconnect with his estranged children by going on a vacation trip together. However, Jackson’s dreams are threatened by an end of the world disaster. Facing a state of panic, Jackson endeavours to protect his family from disaster that’s tragic. Trapped in a dilemma, Jackson questions if his family would be able to survive a catastrophe that causes trauma.
Roland Emmerich has always been fascinated with disasters. Known as the mater of disaster, Emmerich has often directed classic disaster movies throughout his career. His famous blockbuster “Independence Day” captured alien invasions with a painful price to pay. With “2012”, however, the director constructed his first end of the world blockbuster. It was the filmmaker’s attempt to reimagine a real-world disaster but he succeeded. Using stunning cinematography, Emmerich effectively captures a doomsday catastrophe. Emmerich uses handheld camera capturing the anxiety of end of the world catastrophe. Handheld cameras elevate the plan scene. During this frightening scene, Jackson flies an airplane amidst a catastrophe that’s life-threatening. Through shaky camera, Emmerich captures hardships caused by an end of the world tragedy. Using stunning visuals, Emmerich crafts an end of the world scenario that’s terrifying.
Another admirable aspect of “2012” which deserves appreciation is the visual effects. Emmerich expertly uses practical effects to capture a family surviving the world ending. For instance, practical effects enhance the car destruction scene. During this nerve-wracking scene, Jackson and his family strive to stay alive in a speeding car as the world around them starts collapsing. One appreciates practical effects bringing disasters to life. Practical effects are complicated techniques to use in disaster movies. When used excessively, they could come across as a distraction. However, they work immensely in this movie. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. Harald Kloser’s music is integral toward the film’s success. It captures end of the world destruction causing tension. Using strong visual effects, Emmerich captures destruction.
Amidst stunning end of the world destruction, it’s a shame that “2012” finds little time to tell a compelling story. The movie is poorly written, and lacks compelling character development. Emmerich’s decision to focus on the spectacle of the end of the world is bold but leaves little room for compelling character development. One area where the film falls short is the storytelling department. For instance, we’re barely given any reasons to care for Jackson beyond the fact that he’s dedicated to pursuing a successful writing career. All the characters in the movie are caricatures that lack any backstory. To be fair, most disaster movies are characterized by their spectacle rather than strong storytelling. That being said, the movie would have really benefitted from a stronger character depiction. As James Cameron’s “Titanic” suggested clearly, the best disaster movies are driven by strong characters with compelling backstories. For any disaster movie to work, it needs a compelling story. Through a clumsy screenplay, the film can’t quite capture the end of the world with a price to pay.
Thankfully, though, the fantastic performances from the cast keep the film from falling apart. The actors do their best with the material that they are given even when it’s not a whole lot.
John Cusack delivers a fantastic performance as Jackson. Cusack achieved appreciation for playing the heroes of romantic comedies during the 1990’s. With “2012”, however, he embodies his first disaster character. It isn’t easy to embody the personality of a family man which strives to survive an end of the world catastrophe but he succeeds. With bold expressions, he captures the bravery, fear and determination of a man on a mission to survive doomsday destruction. Cusack remains one of the highlights of the disaster movie. It’s an exceptional performance from one of the most underrated actors working in the film industry today.
The supporting cast is spectacular and also worthy of appreciation. Woody Harrelson is wonderful, capturing the eccentric personality of a philosopher that’s hard to take seriously who predicts an end of the world catastrophe. Chiwetel Ejiofor is excellent, bringing humanity to a geologist that embarks on a dangerous mission to protect his nation from end of the world destruction. Finally, Danny Glover merits appreciation. As an emotional president, he’s heartbreaking.
Despite strong performances, however, “2012” can’t capture an end of the world catastrophe hidden in plain sight. If there’s a shortcoming to the movie, it lacks engaging pacing. Emmerich’s decisions to incorporate subplots about political figures into the movie is admirable but doesn’t succeed. This drastic decision hinders the pacing of the movie. Therefore, scenes which capture political leaders discussing how they would handle the end of the world aren’t quite as entertaining as Jackson’s survival. Whereas this political discussions elevated Emmerich’s previous movie “The Day After Tomorrow”, they come across as unnecessary in this movie. They act as a distracting diversion away from Jackson’s far more engaging survival mission. Consequently, “2012” falls short of reaching the high standard set by the world’s greatest disaster blockbusters.
In the end, “2012” is a fun but formulaic disaster movie capturing a real-life end of the world phenomenon. Fans of the disaster movie genre would definitely appreciate it but it may take more to convince serious movie-goers their time was well-spent.
Nearly 12 years following the painful prediction that the world would end in disaster in 2012 that caused people to feel panic in a state of terror, it’s a powerful reminder of a disaster movie that changed the world forever by making individuals well aware of catastrophes that put lives in grave danger predicted by Mayan philosophers that could contribute to a greater understanding of how individuals can deal with disaster several years after a prediction that evoked terror.
3.5/5 stars
Edit”“2012” (2009) – John Cusack’s Dazzling Doomsday Disaster Blockbuster”
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