2012

2012 is a hugely successful apocalyptic story. From Roland Emmerich, director of The Day After Tomorrow and Independence Day this is another action-adventure film. The film stars John Cusack, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Amanda Peet, Danny Glover (as the U.S. president), Woody Harrelson (a nut-bar conspiracy-theorising radio host), Thandie Newton, and Oliver Platt.

Audiences are varied in their judgement of this film. On the one hand are those who say it is just a good disaster film, the plot doesn’t need to be great we are just looking for B-movie energy and hairbreadth escapes. On the other hand are those who say, yes it is a disaster movie but with a bit of extra effort a mediocre offering could have been turned into a fantastic show.

However, all agree the special effects of the world ending on apocalyptic proportions, cities collapsing and continents crumbling are simply stunning. In addition, with a very top heavy cast the acting is superb.

The story begins with a prediction in the ancient Mayan calendar that the world will end in 2012. A scientist discovers that neutrinos from a massive solar flare are causing the core temperature of the Earth to rise rapidly. This rise in temperature causes cracks in the crust, earthquakes and people start dying across the world. Cusack’s character collects together his family and tries to save them from the impending disaster.