Roland Emmerich delivers an apocalyptic adventure to viewers in this intense, explosive catastrophe. The film makes use of various world-ending prophecies, including the Mayan calendar to rip cities in half and crumble monuments to the ground.
“2012” follows various characters across the globe as they race to save whatever’s left of humanity. The film opens in India, where Dr. Adrian Helmsley (Chiwetel Ejiofor) is called to the world’s deepest copper mine, only to discover the Earth’s crust is heating up quicker than expected; he must rush back to the United States and present this information to the President (Danny Glover).
On the other side of the country, in sunny Los Angeles, we meet failed author and limousine driver, Jackson Curtis. While camping with his kids, Jackson meets Charlie Frost (Woody Harrelson), a man who preaches that the end is near. What happens next leads Jackson and his family on a globe-trotting adventure to China for a shot at survival. As Jackson makes his way across the globe, Dr. Helmsley and a government official (Oliver Platt) try to save who and what they can, all the while trying to maintain law and order.
Traffic is the least of people’s concerns in 2012 LA. Photo: Columbia Pictures, 2009.
Despite “2012” being a high-octane action film, Emmerich still manages to display emotion. For example, final phone calls to loved ones provide a sense of closure to some characters; while for others, it fills them with sorrow and guilt. The 158-minute runtime can’t help but drag on, and there’s a few unnecessary scenes and lines of dialogue that could’ve been skipped. The visual effects throughout the film are incredible, even with a few issues here and there. The CGI is a high point of the film, and shows how much damage is occurring all around these characters. Co-Writer Harald Kloser and Thomas Wander provide “2012” with a decent score that compliments the chaotic atmosphere of what’s going on on-screen.
Chiwetel Ejiofor gives a great performance as Dr. Helmsley, starring opposite Oliver Platt, who gives an acerbic performance as Carl Anheuser. Glover gives a moving performance as President Wilson. He also shares a heart-wrenching scene in the White House chapel with Ejiofor, where he says, “I’ll be the last President of the United States of America, do you know how that feels?” It’s a quote that makes viewers realise the magnitude of what’s happening. John Cusack gives a superb performance as Jackson Curtis, a divorced father of two who just wants to maintain a good rapport with his kids. Oh, and if you recognise the name Jackson Curtis, that’s because the character is named after the rapper 50 Cent. Emmerich is a big fan of the rapper and wanted to name his lead character after him.
Something Emmerich did well with “2012” is he gave viewers two different points of view. One from the more public, working-class side and the other from the up-high government officials. That’s something that not many action films do. Despite the film mentioning the Mayan calendar and culture, the Mayans didn’t actually say that the world would end in 2012.
Chiwetel Ejiofor plays Dr. Adrian Helmsley. Photo: Columbia Pictures, 2009.
Unless you include the end of the world, the main theme throughout “2012″ would be family. Jackson Curtis tries to save his family and Adrian Helmsley says a heartfelt goodbye to his father. Tony Delgatto (played by the late George Segal) tries to reconcile with his estranged son before being abruptly cut off. The film also provokes the idea that your wealth and/or job can determine your survival, and when in extreme situations, people are willing to put a price on life (€1 billion per person here, to be exact). I learned of production plans for a TV sequel titled “2013,” but the studios cancelled it due to budgetary reasons.
In conclusion, “2012” is a chaotic catastrophe with fiery scenery and heart-warming familial moments. The film features good performances from the entire cast and keeps an equal focus on both the ends of the world, and the people who are desperate to survive.
*”2012″ is currently available to stream on most platforms.
