Great disaster movie!

Rating: 9/10 (6 May 2010)

I had big expectations for this movie after all of the advertising and hype. I must say that the movie lived up to my expectations!
What's good: I've heard a lot of people say that the special effects are the only good part of this movie. Although it is true that the special effects are what makes this movie, there is a lot more to it. The story is obviously based on the end of the word, but there are subplots too. It doesn't get too technical either. At one point I think they mention Boson particles, which to most people means absolutely nothing, but it's enough to lend a little bit of nerd-ish-ness to the explanation of why the world is going to pot.
What's bad: Yes, as I have heard lots of times before, some of the near-death escapes are a little absurd. It also became apparent to me during the movie that, curiously enough, all the massive destruction has no effect on airport runways! Numerous times the heroes take off in their plane while the world crumbles. All I have to say to that is this: it's a disaster movie, it's not going to be realistic. If it was realistic all of the main characters would have been killed off in the beginning and the movie would have been very boring! Another thing that bothers me is the whole gate-stopping thing at the end. How does an electrical cord manage to seize up a two foot wide gear that raises a gigantic door. I mean, seriously, that door must weigh 50 tons and the mechanism that raises it can't tear a cord an inch wide?!?!?
Besides the often-occurring absurd escape, and the occasional lack of mechanical advantage, I found 2012 to be a very satisfying movie. The director managed to get across the 'moral of the story' about compassion, unconditional love, and other wussy things without making it too cheesy. Overall a good movie, and worth a second watch.