Spoilers: Great end of the world movie: excellent script and cast

Rating: 10/10 (9 December 2009)

I must be alone in thinking this a much better movie than many of the mainstream critics and potluck reviewers on IMDb. Some reviews were so bad they've forced me to make afew comments on the film. 1. Its a great script, mixing humor and pathos, great and emotional dialogue, terrific CGI...
Notable scene: the train hurtling into the void...a scene that could come from a John Martin (google him) painting.
Since the film has made > $600million, we can assume few people have not seen it. Divorced Writer and general Everyman Jackson Curtiss and bibliophile and humanitarian Dr Adrian Helmsely head the two story lines, when it becomes known the world is about to end.Helmsely sets in motion a plan to save a remanent of humanity, Curtiss learns by lucky accident from conspiracy theorist Charlie Frost (a comic gem) of the disaster and the US govt plans to build 'spaceships', and blessed with the most amazing luck effects to get his estranged to the point of departure. The most implausible events happen, everything is written on a grand scale, yet the characters are NOT overwhelmed, thanks to the clever casting choices for the the varied characters, a strong well written script(see Charlie Frost giving his sermon on the mount), where wit and humor do not detract from the tragedy that unfold. The film moves deftly thru emotional registers, from humor to pathos often in one scene, without jarring. For those who find no emotions, i suggest they go see the film, or did they miss the 'President of the louve is an enemy of humanity' scene aboard airforce one. Helmsely - Anheuser constantly bicker as they present the two poles in the story of ruthless pragmatism and naieve humanitarianism. The most novel casting feature is Charlie Frost: a wild eyed conspiracy theorist, whose radio fulminations are more accurate that Cal tech, and whose apotheosis on the mountain continues the biblical strain in full Isaiah mode in the story as he launches into his prophetic attack on humanity forseeing with certain relish the end of Washington. This film has a bit of everything in its script, allowing space for sly political commentary...G8 ships end up seeking refugee in the third world(Africa), threading the idea of the end of the world into random thoughts ('Curtiss, late to meet family: 'Im a dead man') to the jazz duos: 'It ain't the end of the world'. Well known personalities are given sly post modern digs: Governor Schwarzenegger calming peoples fears that the worst is over just when California erupts, and the Queen and her corgies is seen doing what the Obama like president does not. While more somber moments are given to characters like the excellent Danny Glover's President Wilson...Obama?? But the heart of the film is well borne by the two leads: earnest thespian Ejiofor and sly-witted Cusack, both embodying a compassionate urge, which is why they have suck great luck?.
Comedy, pathos, tragedy,wit, is crammed skillfully into the fleeting 2.5 hours, engaging this viewer and not letting up till the cliff hanging climax.