One Time Watch. Review on 2012 We Were Warned Movie

I personally feel that the trouble with disaster movies is the deja vu feel that they give. Its like if you have seen one, you have seen them all. The only difference being fire replaces water, or earthquake replaces volcano, etc but the ultimate outcome is always the same.

2012 directed by the disaster movies specialist Roland Emmerich falls in the same category which survives largely due to the photography and the sound effect.

If the Mayans prediction is to be believed, then the world is heading towards an end, which is to happen in the year 2012. The film is based on the assumptions of the writer & director as to what might happen on the day when the apocalypse hits the world. And how we can save whatever we can.

Chief science advisor to the President of US aptly played by Chiwetel Ejiofor receives information in the year 2009 that a massive solar flare has marked the beginning of the end of the earth. To save humans, which should be read as selective citizens, when the world begins to collapse, preparation for the evacuation begins.

Simultaneously runs the story of John Cussack, Amanda Peet & their two children. The couple is separated and gets united due to the apocalypse. This episode reminds me of Jan De Pont directed disaster movie Twister, where Helen Hunt & Bill Paxton who were separated and gets united due to the natural calamity called Twister.

There are people who haven't spoken to their family members since long, who calls each other to know their whereabouts as the world meets the apocalypse. Blood is thicker then water, no proofs required.

Danny Glover whom I remember for his roles in Lethal Weapon series with Mel Gibson, plays the role of President of US was OK. So was Thandie Newton who played his daughter.

Woody Harrelson is wasted in a small role. Oliver Platt though had negative shades in his character does well.

But despite of the fact that it gave a deja vu feel, director Roland Emmerich keeps the interest of the viewers alive by not wasting time, as he began to show the effect of the apocalypse after 30 minutes of the film, which continues till the very end. Thanks to the excellent cinematography & mind blowing sound effects.

The makers were well aware of the fact that such films needs top notch photography, superb sound effects & nail biting special effects. This is what saves the film as they score full marks in these departments.

The forming of cracks on the roads, collapse of buildings, huge waves, eruption of volcanoes, sinking of ships, etc leave viewers in awe. All these scenes are filmed with utmost care that lifts the film to a level where it can be put into the category of watchable stuff.

In short the film is a visual treat to eyes but when it comes to the script, it lacks the grip, which does surfaces as the length of the film begins to seem longer then what it should have been.

It is a one time watch.