Movie Minx: 2012
Who's in the mood for a romp of a disaster film?! I was totally stoked to see 2012 when it came out this past weekend and my only regret is that I went to a small theater and didn't get to experience it on a huge screen with better surround sound. If I could, I'd see it on IMAX for maximum impact. The visual effects were a huge part of the film and the bigger the better to appreciate the nuances of watching the world as we know it come to an end.
You'll either be all "Ya right, as IF they could fly a plane between two collapsing office towers", or else you'll be like me, thinking that, but also gripping the hand of the person next to you going, "oh my God, are they gonna make it!?"
The movie is basically about the end of the world. According to the movie, the Mayan Long Count calendar predicts that the world is supposed to end on December 21, 2012. The movie centers around a science fiction author (John Cusack) and his family while they struggle to survive the destruction, and the scientists and government officials who prepare for the impending disaster from 2009 on. There really are a ton of theories that say that there is truth in the cosmological predictions of the significance of the date 12/21/2012 as an impending "Doomsday". If you believe any of it, it's a bit freaky to think that there's only 2 more years to live.
Woody Harrelson plays a conspiracy theory nut with a pirate radio show who works to expose the truth of the coverup that the world's governments are behind to keep the secret of the plan for surviving the apocalypse. He is responsible for many of the comic relief moments in the first half of the film, especially with his memorable plumber butt moment.
You have to acknowledge that when it comes to disaster movies, they are exercises in fiction. 2012 is no exception. It plays itself as if it were plausible, but If you go to this movie expecting realism, you're sorely misguided. It's meant to be scary, exciting, and entertaining and in my opinion that's exactly what you get, with an extra large side order of cheese. It's the kind of blockbuster that can rake in huge bucks because it's larger than life in size, scope, effects, and story. A lot of critics are calling the story weak, but I think it works. Sure it could've been a bit tighter and they probably could've worked a little harder to keep the factual errors and plot holes to a minimum, but for crying out loud, it's a fictional movie! It's not meant to be a documentary. I know that the Mona Lisa is really far smaller than they show it in the movie, and the place where it hangs in the Louvre looks nothing like they show it, but after acknowledging that they got it wrong, I moved on. Clearly, Vegas showgirls really don't hang out at the airport in their full feather head-dress costumes, but having them there reminds us that the scene is taking place in Sin City. And when Jackson brings the kids back early from the camping trip to appease his ex-wife but then says he's late for work, one wonders how he ever planned on being at work if he was still supposed to be in Yellowstone. But oh well, these are just minor things. Wait until the press conference with the really bad impersonator pretending to be The Govenator. See, some parts can be good for a laugh even when they're not supposed to be.
Dear John Cusack's character: "Why are you still wearing your neck-tie after flying all night and trekking through mountains and finally diving underwater during a flood? It seems to me that guys like to take their ties off at the first available opportunity. Yours looks good, but it's dangerous to try to be a saviour when your neck-tie could strangle you at any moment."
Yes, it's a bit silly, and yes it's conventional (except for when the bad guy doesn't die- what's up with that!?), but it's also thrilling and touching and fun as long as you don't focus on the plot holes and improbability. It's entertainment, and as far as pop-corn blockbusters go, this one is a hit. A real roller-coaster ride. Check your analytical or skeptical rationale at the door, and go enjoy watching LA sink into the ocean. Turn your brain back on only afterwards. Think about what you would do if you really only had 2 years to live. Maybe it's time to take some flying lessons. What do you think the current government would do in the situation? I think 2012 can lead to some great banter over beers. What do you think of it?
2012 is now playing in theaters everywhere. Twighlight: New Moon is likely to dethrone it from the #1 box-office spot, but it's gonna stick around for a while. Make sure to see it on the biggest screen you can find. I would see it again
On another note, very exciting: I read that the director, Roland Emmerich, confirmed that there is a TV series based on the film in the works! It will apparently carry on where the movie left off and follow the lives of a bunch of survivors in 2013. How cool is that? There's probably not enough there for another compelling movie, but definitely huge potential for a series. Especially since they left a huge villain alive. I won't be satisfied until the corrupt man goes down, and the TV series could give me that. I really hope it comes to fruition. I'll definitely set my PVR for that one.
Movie Minx video pick of the week:
Speaking of conspiracy theories, did you see this video with the guy from MythBusters? That show is awesome. I wonder how many myths about the 12/21/2012 they could bust...
