So That's What LA Would Look Like Falling Into the Ocean...

2012

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Starring: John Cusack, Amanda Peet, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Thandie Newton, Oliver Platt, Woody Harrelson, Danny Glover
Written by: Roland Emmerich & Harald Kloser
Directed by: Roland Emmerich
Produced by: Roland Emmerich, Larry J. Franco, Harald Kloser

Review after the Jump...

Synopsis
When a group of scientists discover that solar flares generating massive amounts of energy are becoming more frequent, they warn the U.S. government who then tells the rest of the world that soon the Earth will be at an end.

Trying to keep all of this information a secret until the appropriate time, the government decides to build a series of "Arks," ships that are able to sustain a great deal of people for a long time.

Writer Jackson Curtis is only trying to spend more time with his two kids when he discovers the government's secret from a wild and crazy conspiracy theorist Charlie Frost. Blowing it off as just a wacko with an agenda, Jackson soon finds that the information has merit and is soon launched into a full-fledged daring attempt to get his family (including his ex-wife and her boyfriend) out of LA and to the government's ark ships.

Thoughts
This is a great film if you like to just sit back, relax and watch the world crumble before your very eyes.

Although the film is able to sidestep a great deal of cheesy one-liners and see-through plot devices, it still has moments that caused the audience that I saw it with to clap slowly and sarcastically at the great feat of being absolutely ridiculous.

Despite those moments, the film is so entertaining that you can't help but just sit back and enjoy. Two and a half hours flies by so quickly that you don't regret the numbness in your hindquarters. (Just don't drink too much soda, or you will regret it).

The political messages and religious undertones were almost too laughable (like the Sistine Chapel representation of God's finger splitting between Adam's by a giant crack), it was blatant and ridiculous. Although I don't think it was hitting me over the head with a message, it wasn't very subtle either. I got a big laugh when the U.S.S. John F. Kennedy battle cruiser crashed into the White House (that'll teach them to conspire to assassinate me!) Overall it didn't detract from the enjoyment of the film and was just ancillary to the plot.

I recommend you go see this in the theaters (preferably with a new or digital print). It is fun and exciting and completely harmless.

Summation
Place: AMC Burbank, 11:30am
Price: $6.50 (not bad!)
Atmosphere: Too crowded - a group of rowdy teenagers and one large disabled woman with too much to say. Plus, got the bad case of the Rushes during the climax of the film which made it completely difficult.
("The Rushes" is when you've drunk too much soda or water during a movie and have to use the bathroom like the dickens.)
Verdict: Totally fun