Starring: John Cusack, Amanda Peet, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Oliver Platt, Thandie Newton
Director: Roland Emmerich (The Day After Tomorrow, 10,000 B.C.)
Running Time: 2 hrs 38 min
Release Date: Nov. 13, 2009
Budget: $200 million
Average Critics’ Score: 53%
“…gives you everything you expect, but gives it to you bigger.” Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle
“It IS a disaster.” Bob Mondello, NPR
Sure the characters are as thin as cardboard and the story’s often silly, but who cares? This disaster epic is hugely entertaining, a nonstop adrenaline rush, and surprisingly fun given the scary subject matter. According to the Mayan prophesy, the world is predicted to end in 2012, and sure enough soon world-renowned landmarks and the entire city of Los Angeles are shred apart like a bratty kid whacking over his Legos. Frightful images definitely, but these computer-generated images are also the best so far seen on film. Cusack and his onscreen family are likeable and provide humorous moments, but Ejiofor, as a government scientist, steals the film with his emotional and relatable performance.
