2012 *** (rave)

If you like disaster movies you will like this film. It has everything you'd expect from 'an end of the world' thriller - great visual effects and a weak story line - some familiar faces and a bunch of unknowns who have about 5 seconds to live - some crazy scientific explanation for the cause of all the destruction, and really exciting scenes of tidal waves rising up and crashing down on everything. 2012 delivers no more than what you'd expect, but it is a visual roller coaster ride that should be seen on the big screen and enjoyed like a fun day at a theme park.

This movie was directed by Roland Emmerich, an expert in the disaster movie genre who also brought us Independence Day and The Day After Tomorrow. John Cusak and Amanda Peet are reunited again (both starred in Identity) as the stars of the film who play one of the family groups trying to survive 'the end of the world as we know it'. Oliver Platt (my personal favourite from Lake Placid) plays the selfish/bad-guy politician. And Danny Glover (who 20 years ago claimed he was "getting too old for this sh**t) really had to deal with it as the President of the United States. The film has many co-stars of all nationalities and varied life expectancies. Some play scientists, some live on a mountain top, some are entertainers on a cruise ship and some have paid a lot of money to try and ensure their survival. Not everyone endures the same fate, but when you know the world is coming to an end and fire balls are exploding all over the place, the odds for most aren't good.

The general plot of 2012 goes something like this... the Mayan people's prediction of the end of the world has come true. Scientists have found the something something earth's crust displacement theory something is happening, and happening much sooner than originally expected. Only a selected few of the world's population have been informed of humankind's impending doom and they have spent a whole lot of money to board a vessel when the time comes that will hopefully ensure their safety.

John Cusak's character, Jackson Curtis is separated from his wife and 2 kids but when he hears of the end of the world predictions from a conspiracy theorist hippie played by Woody Harrelson, Curtis immediately goes to collect his family and then they journey to find these rescue vessels. Meanwhile, the chief science advisor played by Chiwetel Ejiofor, is struggling to keep the White House informed and prepared while still maintaining a sense of decency and humanitarianism.

What I enjoyed most about this film was the fun and excitement of Jackson Curtis' family flying through all the disaster scenes. I was also pleased with all the special effects, and was happy that 2012 did not contain the really bad CGI created dogs that The Day After Tomorrow had to offer.

What I least liked about this film was the length. It felt too long in the end. Apparently, it wasn't enough that the world was ending and crumbling down before everyone, there also had to be multiple problems with a door on a rescue vessel. Personally, I thought the earthquakes, fireballs and tidal waves were more exciting obstacles and the rest just dragged the movie out unnecessarily.

Overall though, I did enjoy watching 2012. It was like a fun ride at a theme park. And, as long as you know what to expect, I would recommend that others buy a ticket.