4 reviews

While the effects were excellent, the script and casting was so embarassing, the well educated group of English speaking Chinese youth to my left burst out laughing at every line of corny or blatantly politically correct dialog in the movie. (I ended up joining in.)

2012 is appallingly edited, full of unrealistic scenarios (despite an excellent premise), lacks any blood (like Star Wars) and is an example of Jollywood propaganda over honest believable storytelling. To see a movie that takes the very reverse approach, try anything directed by Neil Marshall. Gripping stuff! And all without the corn.

Oflife 6 Dec 2009

Why do we like disaster movies? Because they make our own troubles seem irrelevant, or because there is some primeval fear of an apocalypse lurking deep within our psyches?

I saw this in a full cinema, so lots of people enjoyed the tremendous special effects - bits of America (of course) being either obliterated by earthquakes, landslides, volcanic eruptions, and then a tsunami or two, as an afterthought.

The film was very Americo-centric, John Cusack was an odd choice for a hero, but he pulled it off. Overall, the American nuclear family was the winner, as usual. Funny moments abounded - as near misses with molten lava or tidal waves became common-place. Very distracting 2 and a half hours spent - recommended for anyone who loves doom, gloom and CGI in overdrive.

roz 23 Nov 2009

The special effects were good - which is the main attraction really. I didn't particularly like the storyline - especially where the stepdad, who appears to be a perfectly decent chap, ends up [spoilers removed - Ed]. I know the story is not the main thing in a movie like this, but I thought that seemed really bad taste, just the same.

pegasus 20 Nov 2009

Disaster Movie par excellence! My kids of 13 and 15 years loved it, my wife hated it, and me, well.. from all the posters you'd understand the special effects were stunning, if not dissimilar to The Day After Tomorrow. It was a tad too long; shaving 2h 40mins would have made it more poignant! It felt like scenes had been cut and pasted from other movies. But it had some great humour (I think deliberate?) where USA hegemony was at last brought into question. China appeared to be the top dog: "Only China could do this," when commenting on the Star Trek-like Arks built to survive the tsunamis.

Moviemoghull 15 Nov 2009