Plot: As predicted by the Mayans, the world actually ends in 2012, and geologist Adrian Helmsley (Chiwetel Ejiofor) warns the world's governments, who make plans to save the world -- or at least as much of it as they can. Meantime moonlighting author Jackson Curtis (John Cusack) is tipped off to the disaster, and tries to save his wife Kate (Amanda Peet) and kids Lilly and Noah. They narrowly manage to escape disaster after disaster as they make their way to a secret destination and their destiny.
Review: This is a big, mindless, sloppy action movie suitable for a big bucket of popcorn and not very much internal reflection. The initial set-up of the disaster is okay for science fiction, but each mini-disaster is melodramatic, just-in-time, made-for-video and spectacular -- never any subtlety. People who demand common sense should stay home, or leave their brain in the lobby.
I began to view it as a serious of grand disaster scenes, and on that level it works well. The actors pull of some good lines, and the situations are always death-defying & dramatic. I was often so engaged in the movie, I could barely stand the suspense.
The video is always spectacular, although just too reliably of major landmarks and always right next to our heros. Some of the disaster scenes are outstanding.
Although the movie is long, it does not seem that way. It was a crowd-pleaser. The gang at my theater clapped at the end.
Nonetheless, it is not a great movie since it could have been so much better with a few re-writes. It could not have been more melodramatic.
Cast: John Cusack, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Amanda Peet
Written and directed by: Roland Emmerich, who made the similar film Independence Day and other mindless entertainment.
Rating: 2.0 flasks; A 1.5 star movie with an extra half because it was fun-to-watch.
More: The least subtle movie I have ever seen.
