2012 promises to be an epic adventure about global catastrophe that culminates in the destruction of the world. Along the way, there are tales of the heroic struggle of the survivors who aren’t quite ready to give in just yet. Unfortunately, this movie leaves a lot to be desired.
The doomsday scenario in 2012 is based on an interpretation of a Mayan calendar that points to an earthly catastrophe in 2012, more specifically, December 21, 2012 (oddly, my high school locker combination, 12-21-12). The destruction begins with the collapse of Los Angeles into the sea, followed by the destruction of Las Vegas, Yellowstone, Washington DC, the Vatican, India, Tibet and for good measure, a mammoth cruise ship; hey, why not.
As Southern California hopes for the best amid a rise in tremors and damaged streets, government scientist Adrian Helmsley alerts US President Thomas Wilson that increased solar fires are about to lay waste to the earth. As Wilson’s chief of staff, Carl Anheuser preps for the evacuation of the privileged and the president struggles on how to rule over the planet’s final days, Curtis manages to save his kids by jumping through hoops, where one mistake equals death. The action is of course utterly ridiculous, an even as a matter of fiction the events are so agonizingly stupid.
Cusack and Ejiofor convey above average intelligence for characters in this sort of flick, although even they can’t keep up the charade as the film degenerates. The rest of the cast are best forgotten.
Woody Harrelson, who looks like he is actually having fun making this silly movie, is unable to provide any lift for the viewers, despite the frenetic action scenes. The movie’s multiple story lines fail to converge, with each undercutting the other, resulting in one big flat mess.
The American president is monumentally boring, played by the hack Danny Glover whose best days have long since passed. Without Mel Gibson by his side, Glover is nothing but an overgrown ogre with neither the skill nor charisma to pull off an acting assignment.
Sony is shamelessly promoted throughout the movie, with its Vaio equipment smacked into your face at every possible moment. Once or twice, it’s all good. In this movie, it’s unadulterated spam.
Demolition maestro Roland Emmerich is particularly skilled at blowing up the United States (Independence Day, Godzilla, Day After Tomorrow) and vestiges of Catholicism (note the detailed destruction of St. Peter’s and Rio’s Christ). I didn’t see any other religion get whacked the way the Catholics did.
Other than sheer destructive spectacle, this movie is pointless. It offers nothing. Some video games offer more in terms of plot, point of view or something as basic as character development. Not 2012. It’s just a movie replete with destruction after destruction. Expect more and you will be profoundly disappointed.