Monday, November 16, 2009

"2012" - It's a disaster alright

I got free tickets to see 2012 last week, but it was a monsoon here in Richmond, so I declined. Instead I stupidly paid money to see this film this weekend. The Roland Emmerich-directed film had excellent special effects, but it still missed the mark.

The premise of this film is that scientists have discovered the Mayan prophecy that the world would end in 2012 is coming to fruition. In 2010, seats begin to be offered on several arcs for one-billion euros each. Basically only the insanely rich will survive this epic disaster.

Scientist Adrian Helmsley (Chiwetel Ejiofor from Love Actually) is the lead scientist in the United States for the impending disaster. He reports to Carl Anheuser (Oliver Platt) and the president (Danny Glover). Meanwhile, author Jackson Curtis (John Cusack) took his two kids camping in Yellowstone when they discover that a lake that used to be there has dried up. They end up in a government-secured area, and meet Helmsley who happens to be reading Curtis's book. They also meet crazy, conspiracy theorist radio host Charlie Frost (Woody Harrelson - a bright spot in this film). He warns them about what is going to happen to the world.

Eventually California is destroyed as the earth's crust begins to shift. Curtis, his family, his estranged wife (Amanda Peet) and her boyfriend (a plastic surgeon and amateur pilot) must evacuate on a small plane that he has rented. They end up meeting up with some wealthy Russians, who Curtis chauffeured. They are racing against time to get to China, which is where the arcs are. Washington, D.C. is destroyed, and the president stays despite having a ticket on the arc. His daughter (Thandie Newton) goes and has a ticket on the arc.

What happens with the tsunamis is very much like a modern-day flood that Noah experienced in the Bible. Animals, art work like "The David" and literature were loaded onto the arcs ensure their survival. I found this interesting. However, we know that in Genesis, God promises never to flood the earth again, hence the rainbow. 2012 just dragged on way too long to be enjoyable.

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