Great special effects, little substance

Rating: 5/10 (22 December 2009)

Let me first start by giving the rating... I gave it a 6 out of 10 for 2 reasons. The first 40 minutes or so are probably the most BORING 45 minutes to ever grace the beginning of a disaster movie. It could easily have been compressed by getting rid of all the filler about the family. Had it continued along this path, it would have only received a 2 or 3 out of 10. The special effects and the pace thereafter was what redeemed it. The special effects were absolutely MAGNIFICENT, falling buildings, crumbling ground, tidal waves 1.5kms high, it was amazing! For people saying that there are no Oscar worthy performances... this was not designed to win an Oscar for best actor, it was designed to win an Oscar for special effects, the humans are only bit part players. John Cusak plays the likable father that saves the day. Oliver PLatt is a believable bad guy, but other than that, not much else there. But I was so disappointed with the first 45 minutes because it so did not set the tone for the movie. What also redeemed it however was the refusal for feel good moments. It annoys me when people have a lifetime to forgive other people, and then redeem at the last minute. Any attempt to do this here is rebuffed (hence the father who's son dies before he can say he is sorry).