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2012 - 2009...uh oh getting close!

John Cusack is one of my favorite actors which is why I was so disappointed that he starred in one of the worst action movies ever.  He is lucky that I still like him,  though I am still  sore about his choices. Twenty-twelve played with fire and burnt itself 'til tomorrow! The idea that our world has been predicted to end by fatidic individuals such as Nostradamus has been a subject of interest in many philosophical and biblical discussions.  The apocalypse in the Book of Revelation is yet another intriguing topic.  So naturally, we would assume that if Hollywood were to make a movie based off of that heavy subject, it would surely blow our minds away in an explosion of jaw dropping CG effects and heartrending portrayal of humanity clawing for any glimpse of hope or salvation...right?  Unfortunately in this case, my words are worth a thousand pictures. 


Watching 2012 was like watching an excruciatingly long promotion for a Universal Studios' new theme park ride.  "The Apocalypse: Ride in a speeding limo through shifting tectonic plates, collapsing buildings with just an inch to spare, and fly in the air as you watch California sink under the ocean! Kids, bring your diapers 'cause this ride is a shit-in-your-pants thriller!  Move aside Indian Jones Adventure, because here comes the Apocalypse! Caution: The front two rows are the SOAK ZONE." 


I found 2012 to be somewhat similar to the movie "The Day After Tomorrow".  The minor difference may be that the first one plays with solar flares and Earth's core heating up while the latter tempts with a new Ice Age.  However, I much more enjoyed watching "The Day After Tomorrow" because at least the scenes do not look entirely set up and there are endearing moments of humanity. I found myself secretly hoping that Earth will be saved.  In 2012, I could have sworn I saw all the duck-tape "x" marks for the actors and cars to follow.  I understand the main characters are to survive such destructions, but the movie made it look way to convenient.  I wanted the characters to work harder to stay alive. At some point in the movie, I remembered thinking "kill them off already"...heartless I know.  For having such an awesome movie poster (the lone Tibetan monk standing on the precipice of humanity) the movie failed to deliver. 


In lieu of my resentment, there are only two scenes near the end that I actually fell in love with...you see nothing is ever 100% negative...that's the beauty of optimism. Of course, those two scenes lasted a good 2 seconds each, but nevertheless sentimental.  The first scene is an Indian family embracing each other in front of a purple sunset, husband reaches for wife's face, while a tsunami is inches away from obliterating their existence...love is man's last stance against destruction. Don't blink, because you'd probably miss it.  The second scene is when you see the religions of the world hold their final mass as the people gather together in unity...prayer is humanity's last plea.    


The trailer is amazing...but the movie, not so much. If anything, just watch the trailer and you'll be on the edge of your seat!  One star for the movie:  Four stars for the trailer!!!