Roland Emmerich: The Master of Disaster!

Rating: 7/10 (14 November 2009)

Here's the thing, if you're one of those people who go see Spiderman hell-bent bent on proving how there is no scientific way spider DNA could possibly turn a nerdy journalist into a web-slinging superhero. Or, If you seriously question why Superman can take a rocket propelled grenade to the groin, but his loins are all set afire at the mere sight of Margot Kidder, then you're probably going to have some problems with Roland Emmerich's epic film 2012.
Sure, the science is little shaky. Okay, more than a little shaky. Like a 8.5 on the shaky science Richter scale. But, so what? Star Wars, Lord Of The Rings, Spiderman, The Dark Knight and the other 6 of the top ten box office grossers of all time aren't intended to be science journals. Suspend your disbelief and allow yourself to have fun. These are movies folks, they're meant to entertain. This movie really, really entertains.
Roland Emmerich, director of Independence Day and The Day after Tomorrow, is the Master of Disaster thanks to his latest master-disaster-piece, 2012. The action, which is unrelenting, non-stop, heart pounding, oohing and aahing out loud in the theater awesome, is only paralleled by the jaw-dropping visual effects, which at times makes other films in the genre seem like a still life of a bowl of fruit.
The acting by John Cusack, Amanda Peet and Danny Glover is capable and believable. The dialog, except for a few clichés like "But, that's a suicide mission!" delivered in the last act, was funny and for the most part clever and original. And though the movie runs nearly 3 hours, everyone in forgot about their popcorn.
Again, if you're a reality seeking science geek, or even if you've watched a few seasons of Discovery Channel, the final result might have been a nuclear winter that would have made the last ice age look like spring break in Ft. Lauderdale instead of the Love Boat goes to Africa. but try not to go there. Enjoy this movie for what it is. 2012 is the new standard for disaster films. Not a guilty pleasure, just a pleasure. Enjoy, it's not the end of the world.