Entertaining, brainless ride

Rating: 7/10 (12 November 2009)

I must admit that I've had my brain at home while watching this in the theater, just like it's supposed to be. Instead, I enjoyed a ton of popcorn and coke. Well, I left the theater with mixed feelings, though strangely satisfied by all the mayhem.
Viewers will be greatly satisfied with the splendid first two thirds of the movie: the earthquake in California, the volcano, and the quite suspenseful escapes by plane - which are all excellently executed - will deliver perfect entertainment. John Cusack also does quite okay, along with all the other minor characters. You will stare at the screen, whispering 'What the f**k', praising the top notch CGI, attempting to process this gigantic scheme of destruction and mayhem... briefly, the first two thirds of '2012' plainly ROCK. You will love yourself for having decided to watch this!
Yet then... the last third will annoy you, even offend you to a certain extent. You will actually hope that 'The end is nigh'.
The reasons for this are mainly plot holes concerning the mounting of the arches, cliché-ridden drowning scenes, the lack of real suspense, and idiotic decisions by those in fictional charge. It fails to convince. Also, an Emmerich movie HAS to offer the typical dramatic and pompous speeches by those who have been blessed by an epiphany of the true meaning life (the mutinying scientist, for instance, who would nobly sacrifice himself and all else to save the lives of those left on earth). These moments are too cheesy, implausible, too melodramatic and don't really contribute to the whole enterprise. Oddly, they seem to be obligatory to Emmerich's film-making.
Gladly, the first two thirds will offer enough entertainment and satisfaction to ignore the ending. It's worth your money.