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2012 Spectacular but Stupid

End-of-the-world epic is 'disaster porn' at its finest

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Nov 13, 2009 6:50 AM CST

(Newser) – Critics agree that world-destroying disaster epic 2012 boasts some stunning special effects, but they're split on whether that makes up for the cheesy script—and the run time of 2 hours, 38 minutes.

Director Roland Emmerich's previous destruction-fests Independence Day and The Day After Tomorrow "are nothing compared to the Vegas buffet of apocalyptic scenarios littering 2012," writes the Chicago Trib's Michael Phillips, who "quite enjoyed the experience, at least the first five or six hours of it."

"2012 delivers what it promises, and since no sentient being will buy a ticket expecting anything else, it will be, for its audiences, one of the most satisfactory films of the year. It even has real actors in it," writes Roger Ebert at the Chicago Sun-Times, and while the special effects aren't always believable, "how can the flooding of the Himalayas be made convincing?"
As far as 2012 is concerned, writes Kenneth Turan at the LA Times, "the world will end with both a bang and a whimper, the bang of undeniably impressive special effects and the whimper of inept writing and characterization."

[Images (3)]

[Videos (1)]

"2012" is a "great, big, fat, stupid, greasy cheeseburger of a movie" and "a splendour to behold," writes Jim Schembri. (AP Photo/Columbia Pictures/Sony)

Lily Morgan, left, and John Cusack are shown in a scene from "2012." (AP Photo/Columbia Pictures/Sony, Joe Lederer)

John Cusack is shown in a scene from "2012." (AP Photo/Columbia Pictures/Sony, Joe Lederer)

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 8 comments

Spydiggity

Nov 15, 2009 12:09 PM CST

This movie's title should be changed to "The Day after the Day after Tomorrow." same basic story, same director, same shitty acting, and the hope that special effects will be enough to draw in an audience...which it will be. people aren't smart enough to be interested in a story with a unique plot, good story telling, and competent acting. hence the popularity of movies like Spiderman, Transformers, and X-men.

cornelison

Nov 15, 2009 11:52 AM CST

I usually wait until the movie comes out in DVD format. When studios make this kind of money it helps others projects and taking a chance on a what may be a very good future movie. I for one enjoy disaster "popcorn" flicks.

zackmasson

Nov 14, 2009 6:23 AM CST

The trailer says it all. I will not be going to see this trash. If you have common sense this movie is so dumb it will piss you off.

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movie review • John Cusack • action movie • Roland Emmerich • 2012 movie review

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2012 Spectacular but Stupid