'2012'

'2012' (PG-13) ***

Writers: Harold Kloser and Roland Emmerich
Director: Roland Emmerich
Starring: John Cusack, Amanda Peet. Chiwetel Ejiofor, Thandie Newton, Oliver Platt, Tom McCarthy, Danny Glover, George Segal, Woody Harrelson

Writer and Director Roland Emmerich sure doesn't make small movies! He is the creative force behind many Hollywood Blockbusters like "Independence Day" and now the gargantuan "2012". I hated "Independence Day" because it was smug, stupid and a rip off of "Star Wars". I expected to hate "2012" but I was completely surprised and actually thought it worked. Maybe because John Cusack was in it or maybe it had a good cast who do a good job of selling what could have been a goofy movie. The dialogue is mostly hokey and dumb but you will be too busy watching the special effects to notice. Compared to the lackluster "War of the Worlds" this actually creates tension, scares and thrills. I would not take a small child to this movie. John Cusack does a better job here than Cruise did in "War of the Worlds" because he is more identifiable and more likable. At first I thought he was miscast but he actually convinced me he could help save the World. The supporting cast is also excellent selling this especially Oliver Platt in a scene stealing performance.

Cusack's character like Cruise in "War of the Worlds" is estranged from his wife who is seeing someone else. The son calls his Dad by his first name and is estranged from his father and likes Mom's boyfriend better. Cusack has to repair his family at the same time he has to save the World when it is about to be swallowed up. You know the plot already and the theme is how all the Countries pull together besides their differences to save the Planet. There is a wonderful roller coaster like action set piece as Cusack and his family have to drive then finally fly through mass destruction. I might be sick here but I think it would make a great ride at an amusement park with chunks of Earth, cars and debris flying at you as you try to get to safety. The movie is fun and suspenseful and the special effects are amazing and look kind of real. Cusack, Harrelson and Platt are great and I don't think you will be bored despite the 2 hour 40 minute running time. This movie gets the job done and is probably the best disaster, End of the World movie I have seen recently. Get yourself a big tub of popcorn, sit back and strap yourselves in and have a good time as long as you don't think too much.