German movie maker Roland Emmerich’s special effects trick bag sure has come a long way since bringing us INDEPENDENCE DAY and THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW.
Too bad his Eye on Script and Acting didn’t follow suit!
Make no mistake about it 2012 is the MOTHER of ALL disaster movies. And the film’s huge production
Dexter Morgan
These movies that rely too much on effects never have any soul. Plus the actors’ performances are doomed from the start because they’re shot mostly in front of a green screen, so you have the constant “running from disaster” or “dodging a falling rock” scared look on the actor’s face, but it just looks fake. Cusack must have gotten a huge paycheck for this one because usually he picks scripts that have some depth to them.
Love the reviews Jack, keep ’em coming.
jason
Why can’t a smart filmmaker combine great effects with great acting? Emmerich didn’t skimp on the actors budget with this one. So wouldn’t he try to get the most out of them for the buck?
wilson
I saw the color ad for the movie in the STAR today. There was only one glowing review mentioned. No surprise it was from Shawn Edwards who called it something like the greatest whatever of all time. The quote was credited to FOX-TV. I didn’t know Edwards went to the network. When did that happen? I thought he was a local reviewer for WDAF TV?
Dexter Morgan
jason, I think the actors are hamstrung from having to pretend a disaster is unfolding behind them, when during filming what they’re actually doing is standing in front of a green screen. Imagine doing take after take after take, day after day after day for the majority of the shoot, and your director says “Ok John Cusack, there’s a bridge collapsing all around you, you’re trying to save your son from getting killed and there’s mad chaos happening everywhere you look, so what I need from you is a look of pure terror in your eyes. Remember, you’re in fear for your life as well as your son’s. Aaaaand…action”
rick
so the average score was 3. to kind.