2012 – If the Apocalypse is Now, Maybe the Originality Comes Later

Jesus said that as it was in Noah’s day, so shall it be at the end of time. Roland Emmerich’s 2012 takes this foreboding prophecy and spins it into a cataclysmic tale of the world’s date with destiny, replete with atomic-age “arks” and animals being airlifted into them, two by two, of course.

This movie is full of jaw-dropping special effects and spectacular action sequences that are at once impressive and farcical. Take the first close call the protagonist (John Cusack) faces while haphazardly driving his family through the imminent ruins of a California city. Despite earthquakes decimating skyscrapers and swallowing streets around them, the limousine escapes unscathed. Follow that up with planes taking off and landing along crumbling runways and absurd artistic license concerning the science of tsunamis, doomsday planet alignment, and tropical animals’ arctic temperature tolerance, these visually stunning displays effectively provoke both gasps and giggles.

John Cusack plays author Jackson Curtis whose defunct writing career and failed marriage somehow impel him to become the film’s heroic patriarch, fighting not only to survive, but to win back his life. When a fanatical radio-prophet (Woody Harrelson) in the woods of Yellowstone warns Curtis of the approaching mayhem the Mayans predicted would engulf the world, Curtis steps into shoes worn by the likes of Bruce Willis, Dennis Quaid, and Will Smith and sets forth on an adventure of seismic proportions.

In Washington, D.C., a venal politician, played adeptly by Oliver Platt, and a more scrupulous scientific advisor (Chiwetel Ejiofor) butt heads as they confront the ever-changing data presented beautifully on Sony Vaio computers and prepare for phase two of Planet Earth. Danny Glover takes the helm as President of the United States with a steadfast, admirable countenance.

Part of the fun in disaster movies is guessing who will make it and who will bite the radioactive dust. However, the predictability of this film renders such a game null and unexciting as each character meets the end best deserved according to his or her virtues (Hint: avoid infidelity in 2012). Despite the caricaturized nature of the story – filled with countless clichés, cheesy, tear-filled dialogue, and comical lack of credibility – the characters manage to earn our sympathy; while we may not wonder who will survive, we do question how they’ll do so.

The eye-popping special effects of this film are commendable and worthy to be witnessed on the big screen. But don’t expect to see anything new when it comes to the canon of apocalyptic cinema or the ongoing speculation surrounding Earth’s demise – there’s nothing new under the deadly, solar flaring sun.

2.5 stars out of 5