Thought-provoking (not the prophecy, the F/X)

Rating: 8/10 (20 November 2009)

**Possible Spoilers**
After seeing the infamous "limo" trailer my expectations for the film dropped. Maybe this is a little too over the top, I thought to myself. But the trailer depicting a massive tsunami flooding the Himalayas reassured me that this film could provide some epic yet poignant moments. After seeing 2012 I can say that I was not disappointed.
Emmerich found time for some interesting scientific mumbo jumbo in the opening half hour; ludicrous, but interesting. Neutrinos emitted from a massive solar flare are heating the Earth's core and causing crust instability, hence the magnitude 10+ earthquakes. The next two hours are full of destruction, but it is good destruction. The scenes are not quickly cut, shaky, and indiscernible – they are sweeping and steady so you can savor the effects from a birds-eye view. The eruption of Yellowstone is awe-inspiring (yes, I said awe-inspiring). I was fortunate enough to see 2012 in Sony 4k resolution.
There are cheesy moments (family talk); funny moments (deranged, pickle-munching radio host); and even some philosophical moments (Tibetan monk with tea pot). Okay, maybe the last one belongs in the funny category. If you can enjoy a film for its sheer visual power and not its acting, then 2012 will suffice.