2012 (Roland Emmerich, 2009)

[Watashi]

Trailer (http://www.cinematical.com/2008/11/12/trailer-premiere-roland-emmerichs-2012/)

Behold the awesomeness.

[Mysterious Dude]

So it's exactly the same as all his other movies?

I think that is the first time I've ever seen an instruction to the audience to do a "google search" at the end of a trailer.

[Amnesiac]

I think that is the first time I've ever seen an instruction to the audience to do a "google search" at the end of a trailer.

Yeah, kind of strange.

[Dead & Messed Up]

Trailer (http://www.cinematical.com/2008/11/12/trailer-premiere-roland-emmerichs-2012/)

Behold the awesomeness.

Wait a second. If that's really a couple of Buddhist monks, and they're at the Himalayas, where the hell is the water coming from? Space?

[Watashi]

Wait a second. If that's really a couple of Buddhist monks, and they're at the Himalayas, where the hell is the water coming from? Space?
Exactly.

Which is why this film has immediately shot up my anticipation list.

[Ezee E]

I'm sure its better than the Ice Age one.

[Stay Puft]

Sold.

[Ezee E]

Nice Shining music as well.........

[Dukefrukem]

I can't wait....


...for the world to end I mean.



Wait a second. If that's really a couple of Buddhist monks, and they're at the Himalayas, where the hell is the water coming from? Space?


duh.

[EvilShoe]

I love how the trailer has a punchline.
I heart you, Emmerich.

[Morris Schæffer]

The link doesn't work!!!! :frustrated:

edit: meh

[Skitch]

Worked for me.

That was pretty sweet. If you forget its Emmerich, one could be wildly pumped for this.

[Dukefrukem]

took some hi res screenshots if anyone wants em... 1080p


http://www.straferight.com/photopost/data/500/2012_01.jpg
http://www.straferight.com/photopost/data/500/2012_02.jpg
http://www.straferight.com/photopost/data/500/2012_03.jpg
http://www.straferight.com/photopost/data/500/2012_04.jpg
http://www.straferight.com/photopost/data/500/2012_05.jpg

[Qrazy]

They wouldn't! lol. Something in me really wants to see Emmerich make a non-retarded film some day. He has the visual chops to make functional cinema but his scripts are so absurd and their execution so ham-fisted and stupid... such a waste.

[SirNewt]

OK, I'm going to say it. This is stupid.

[D_Davis]

That is actually a really awesome trailer.

[Derek]

All I could see from the main MatchCut page was "Hell yes. Roland Emmerich's..." and I assumed the next word must be "retiring". What a disappointment. :(

[Wryan]

All I could see from the main MatchCut page was "Hell yes. Roland Emmerich's..." and I assumed the next word must be "retiring". What a disappointment. :(

There's enough material in just what we know about life on and above this planet for Emmerich to live long and prosper....and that's not counting what we do not know and that which he can invent.

[Justin]

As much as I hate the guy I am pretty sure I have seen almost every one of his films in theater.

[Boner M]

I'm gonna come right out and say I kinda dug The Day After Tomorrow, and will be there for this new one.

[Kurosawa Fan]

I'm gonna come right out and say I kinda dug The Day After Tomorrow, and will be there for this new one.

Not sure if I'd use the word "dug", but if the constant preaching can be ignored and it's just taken as a special effects driven piece of entertainment, it's effective.

[Boner M]

Not sure if I'd use the word "dug", but if the constant preaching can be ignored and it's just taken as a special effects driven piece of entertainment, it's effective.
Yeah, that's it. The preachiness can be easily ignored, especially when the film's ice age imposes such problems as being chased down by freezing air and arctic wolves.

[Watashi]

I love The Day After Tomorrow. I especially love the score.

[Raiders]

:crazy:

The Day After Tomorrow is wretched. I don't like empowering the idiocy and incompetence of filmmakers.

[Ezee E]

:crazy:

The Day After Tomorrow is wretched. I don't like empowering the idiocy and incompetence of filmmakers.
Agreed, although I don't mean it in such a harsh way. I just think the film is garbage.

[Derek]

I should be clear too that the majority of my hatred is based on how dreadfully awful The Patriot was. It might even match Pearl Harbor in its offensive revisionist history, but I'm not sure the black militiaman discussing how proud he is to fight for an America trying to give him his freedom can meet, pound for pound, the sheer ridiculousness of FDR standing up in the name of liberty. Not that it matters in choosing one over the other as they're both among the most one-dimensional, wrong-minded, painfully contrived and infuriating moments in the past decade.

The only other thing I've seen from him is Independence Day which was merely meh.

[Raiders]

I would say Independence Day is also quite wretched.

[Watashi]

The Patriot is awesome.

[Dukefrukem]

I would say Independence Day is also quite wretched.

Now that's what I call a close encounter.

[Derek]

I would say Independence Day is also quite wretched.

I haven't seen it since theaters (or right after it came out on video), but I don't doubt I'd come around if I gave it another look. I'd prefer not to do that though. :)


The Patriot is awesome.

I don't know how to respond to this. It's like someone pointing to a pile of dog shit and trying to convince me it smells sirloin steak. I'll smile, nod and be on my way.

[Watashi]

I don't know how to respond to this. It's like someone pointing to a pile of dog shit and trying to convince me it smells sirloin steak. I'll smile, nod and be on my way.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y112/videodrone5000/Random_Crap/CannonballDecapitation.gif

[SirNewt]

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y112/videodrone5000/Random_Crap/CannonballDecapitation.gif

I just want to know: did you make this?

[Derek]

Yes, it also ripped off Glory's canon ball decapitation. Congratulations. You've succeeded in the near-impossible task of making me hate The Patriot even more!

[Watashi]

I just want to know: did you make this?
No. It's a famous internet message board gif.

[Ezee E]

I don't know how to respond to this. It's like someone pointing to a pile of dog shit and trying to convince me it smells sirloin steak. I'll smile, nod and be on my way.

This, with your av, is hilarious.

[Morris Schæffer]

I had a blast with ID-4, I also enjoyed The Day After Tomorrow enough.

[Boner M]

I can't believe it's been 12 years and people still refer to Independence Day by its promotional acronym.

[KK2.0]

well, i went to Google...

December 21, 2012, according to a prophecy from the Mayan Calendar, is the day the planet will suffer severe changes, rather vague. However, in this same day, Earth will be aligned to the sun and to the Galaxy's Core, which is a huge black hole and it can affect our planet's magnetic field to catastrophic results.

The same date also appears on end of the world prophecies from other cultures.

thanks for the warning Mr Emmerich. :)

[Morris Schæffer]

I can't believe it's been 12 years and people still refer to Independence Day by its promotional acronym.

It is easier to type.:P

[SirNewt]

No. It's a famous internet message board gif.

Well, even though I still don't like the movie, I think it makes an argument that cannot be argued with. The chance to post this actually in context must've made you giddy.

[angrycinephile]

New trailer - http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1810045661/video/14045555

The term self-parody is completely lost on Mr. Emmerich.

But I know I'll see it at some point, even though it looks like The Day After Tomorrow 2.

[number8]

No.

[Watashi]

Yes.
Oh God yes.

[Watashi]

Seriously, that trailer is amazing.

[D_Davis]

The Patriot is awesome.

How did I miss this?

It sure is.

[Dukefrukem]

fuckin doesnt work at work....

[Derek]

The Patriot is remarkably awful. There are moments throughout that film where I was impressed by the pure wretchedness of every aspect of that film.

[Watashi]

The Patriot is remarkably awful. There are moments throughout that film where I was impressed by the pure wretchedness of every aspect of that film.
I like the part where Mel Gibson threw a hatchet into that guy.

[Qrazy]

The Patriot is remarkably awful. There are moments throughout that film where I was impressed by the pure wretchedness of every aspect of that film.

Hahahahhahahaha agreed.

[Wryan]

hahahahahaha oh my god in heaven. The crack between Adam and God. The JFK snowplowing the White House. There's not even an attempt to hide anything. ANYTHING. Roland Emmerich's Money Shot in more ways than one.

Looks great. I'll see the shit out of this shit.

[BuffaloWilder]

It looked legitimately interesting, until "oooh, what're the odds?" And, then it just started to get more and more ridiculous.

Wait, so is it supposed to be The Rapture, or -- OH GODDAMMIT :frustrated:

[Dead & Messed Up]

The teaser suggested it, and this confirms it: Emmerich has lept into satire.

:lol:

[[ETM]]

I hope this settles the obvious dispute between Emmerich and Bay on who can destroy more world landmarks in a single film, because Bay cannot top that, ever.

[Skitch]

Whoa. He's really blowin' shit up this time. I wonder what Michael Bay thinks of this.

[Mysterious Dude]

So, Roland Emmerich doesn't make good movies. But at least he delivers what he promises, right?

[Dukefrukem]

So, Roland Emmerich doesn't make good movies. But at least he delivers what he promises, right?

This is absolutely 100% correct. I'll defend ID4 to my death. I could not have been more entertained.

[Dukefrukem]

finally saw the trailer here

http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/2012/

Could this possibly be the greatest special effects movie of all time??

Holy shit that's insane. Is it just 2 hours of stuff blowing up?

[number8]

So, Roland Emmerich doesn't make good movies. But at least he delivers what he promises, right?

And what is that?

[Mysterious Dude]

And what is that?
All your favorite cities and landmarks being destroyed by explosions or tidal waves or some such thing.

[BuffaloWilder]

All your favorite cities and landmarks being destroyed by explosions or tidal waves or Godzilla.


Fix'd

[Morris Schæffer]

This is absolutely 100% correct. I'll defend ID4 to my death. I could not have been more entertained.

ID-4 was fantastic fun! It may have been cheesy at times, but the destruction and epic nature of the film was awesome, the climax climactic.

EDIT: This will be the most epic disaster movie ever made. My God the set pieces look insane!

[Mysterious Dude]

I think both Emmerich and Michael Bay generally don't have any pretentions with their films (with the possible exceptions of The Patriot and Pearl Harbor, respectively). They know their audience and they give them what they want. They're not making movies for the critics.

[Ivan Drago]

EDIT: This will be the most epic disaster movie ever made. My God the set pieces look insane!

Yup. As bad as the movie will be, seeing the JFK flatten the White House like a pancake will be AWESOME to see in theaters.

[Dukefrukem]

Yup. As bad as the movie will be, seeing the JFK flatten the White House like a pancake will be AWESOME to see in theaters.

I love how that's even a scene in the movie. I mean, where could a huge wave of water, carry an aircraft carrier across 70+ miles of land, without any of the water spilling onto the White House lawn, and at that very spot where the White House sits, the JFK finally topples over? That is beyond awesome.

And what would cause the meteor shower I'm wondering.

[soitgoes...]

I'm glad the trailer urges people to find out about 2012 at the end. Hopefully this will lead to widespread learning, that will dismiss all of the "impending" doomsday talk. That way new agers can come up with the next end of the world scenario, so we can get more ideas for badass movies.

[soitgoes...]

And what would cause the meteor shower I'm wondering.
Probably some form of this ridiculousness (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nibiru_collision).

[Kurosawa Fan]

This movie is going to kill at the box office.

[EvilShoe]

I will see it for the intense acting battle between Ejiofor and Cusack.

[Dukefrukem]

Probably some form of this ridiculousness (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nibiru_collision).

Oh wow. I wonder if the ID4 aliens are gonna make an appearance.

[Sxottlan]

Is this trailer attached to any film specifically? I'm not watching it now because I'd rather see it on the big screen.

[megladon8]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

*breathe*

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA HAHAHAHA!!


The White House was crushed by the U.S.S. John F. Kennedy! Get it???

Oh man.

[lovejuice]

ok i have to ask. is it that much a common knowledge among americans that the supercarrier is named after the president?

[megladon8]

ok i have to ask. is it that much a common knowledge among americans that the supercarrier is named after the president?


I'm not sure what you mean here.

The shot I'm talking about actually shows a slow-motion close up of the writing on the ship that says "USS JOHN F KENNEDY".

That's how I knew.

[lovejuice]

I'm not sure what you mean here.

The shot I'm talking about actually shows a slow-motion close up of the writing on the ship that says "USS JOHN F KENNEDY".

That's how I knew.
oh, that's why many people mention that. (somehow the scene slips me.)

[MadMan]

Having finally seen the trailer for this weeks ago, I have to say it looks hilariously bad but also ridiculously awesome. No one does disaster movies like Roland these days.

[KK2.0]

I love it how in the trailer alone we have:

people escaping from meteors on a van
people dodging falling skyscrapers on a plane
and piece de resistance: tidal waves throwing ships on the White House

it brought me a tear of joy


Holy shit that's insane. Is it just 2 hours of stuff blowing up?

Beware, Godzilla also looked insane in trailers and that movie was a bore.

Yes, he made a boring movie out of NYC being destroyed by a giant monster, which seemed like impossible, after all, it's Emmerich...

[Dukefrukem]

http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/2539/2012r.jpg

[Morris Schæffer]

It's actually really quite nice to have what is obviously a summer behemoth coming out in the dreary season of autumn when cinematic destruction, annihilation, obliteration and vaporization is usually at a disturbing low.

[chrisnu]

2012: IT'S A DISASTER!!! (http://vimeo.com/5463875)

[Dukefrukem]

2012: IT'S A DISASTER!!! (http://vimeo.com/5463875)

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :lol:

[Dukefrukem]

haha this is great.


We actually had a geologist help us a little bit, but at one point he just threw up his hands and said, "Write it like you think it would be!" (Laughs) It's a movie! It's not a documentary! But on the other hand, it has to feel real to the audience.

Full interview here (http://www.aintitcool.com/node/41847)

[number8]

So, at Comic Con, Emmerich showed us the entire California destruction sequence, right, and I honestly could not stop laughing for those 10 minutes. It was the most ridiculous, over-the-top thing I have ever seen, it was almost a satire of disaster movies.

The three highlights:

1) Cusack and family are in a limo, racing to the airstrip. In downtown LA, the famous giant donut rolls down in front of them. Cusack, in total serious face, screams "DONUUUT!!!" and the limo swerves around it.

2) Later, an entire office building drops down on its side in front of them. Without a second's hesitation, the limo just crashes through the window and drives through a cubicles while pillars fall around them. Then they crash through the other side and back on the road again.

3) They finally get on a plane and get off the ground. The decide to fly through downtown LA again, inches above pedestrians on collapsed highways as cars plunge into the sea. Then, two Twin Towers looking buildings collapse towards each other, scissoring. Instead of swerving around, the plane goes in between, just barely getting through. Cut to: little girl on the plane looking out the window. She's crying emotionally as California plunges into the sea.

[Barty]

It was so glorious.

[Milky Joe]

I am SO seeing this.

[Mysterious Dude]

haha this is great.



Full interview here (http://www.aintitcool.com/node/41847)
He had a similar problem when making The Day After Tomorrow.


The consultation by NASA scientists was requested before the filming of the movie, but NASA stated that the events in the film were too ridiculous to actually occur, and hence denied the request.

[Dukefrukem]

He had a similar problem when making The Day After Tomorrow.

Hahahahahaha. Awesome. Yeh this movie is going to rock.

[Ivan Drago]

A couple of my friends have actually argued with me that outrunning freezing air (from The Day After Tomorrow) is logical and can actually happen.

I lost 5 IQ points that day.

[transmogrifier]

I don't care what it says about me, but I can't wait to see this. The latest trailer is one of the most decadent orgies of destruction I have ever seen. I want to know how it actually becomes a movie.

[Dukefrukem]

you guys see this (http://www.instituteforhumancontinuit y.org/)?

[Kurosawa Fan]

you guys see this (http://www.instituteforhumancontinuit y.org/)?

:lol:

People are funny.

[Morris Schæffer]

Man, I'm really eager to see this flick. We'll be well into the dreary autumn season when it opens and fiery, explosive blockbusters have traditionally not been on the menu. Yeah, I'll be gobbling this one up.

[Morris Schæffer]

So, at Comic Con, Emmerich showed us the entire California destruction sequence, right, and I honestly could not stop laughing for those 10 minutes. It was the most ridiculous, over-the-top thing I have ever seen, it was almost a satire of disaster movies.

The three highlights:

1) Cusack and family are in a limo, racing to the airstrip. In downtown LA, the famous giant donut rolls down in front of them. Cusack, in total serious face, screams "DONUUUT!!!" and the limo swerves around it.

2) Later, an entire office building drops down on its side in front of them. Without a second's hesitation, the limo just crashes through the window and drives through a cubicles while pillars fall around them. Then they crash through the other side and back on the road again.

3) They finally get on a plane and get off the ground. The decide to fly through downtown LA again, inches above pedestrians on collapsed highways as cars plunge into the sea. Then, two Twin Towers looking buildings collapse towards each other, scissoring. Instead of swerving around, the plane goes in between, just barely getting through. Cut to: little girl on the plane looking out the window. She's crying emotionally as California plunges into the sea.

I wanted to ask, but forgot. Regardless of Emmeric cheesiness, how was the quality of the FX? From the trailers, they certainly look fab, but also so colossal, immense that I'm worried there's the odd laughably inept FX sequence in there somewhere.

[KK2.0]

2012: IT'S A DISASTER!!! (http://vimeo.com/5463875)

it´s probably more accurate to the actual tone of the film than the real trailer :lol:

will it have any 3D/IMAX version?

[number8]

I wanted to ask, but forgot. Regardless of Emmeric cheesiness, how was the quality of the FX? From the trailers, they certainly look fab, but also so colossal, immense that I'm worried there's the odd laughably inept FX sequence in there somewhere.

Admittedly, really really really really good. And then Emmerich blew everyone's minds when he said "The effects in that were 70% done."

[BuffaloWilder]

Does this movie have Emmerich's trademark stuttering army-man character?

It had damned well better.

[Morris Schæffer]

Cool! Thanks!

[Dukefrukem]

:lol:

People are funny.

It's actually an official site for the movie.

[angrycinephile]

Hilariously awful new clip can be viewed here:

http://www.slashfilm.com/2009/09/07/new-clips-2012-ninja-assassin-and-romeros-survival-of-the-dead/

[Morris Schæffer]

Hilariously awful new clip can be viewed here:

http://www.slashfilm.com/2009/09/07/new-clips-2012-ninja-assassin-and-romeros-survival-of-the-dead/

Yeah, that's proof this has the howlers to go with "end-of-the-world" gloom and doom.

Nonetheless, perhaps that's not so bad. FX appear great so at least that's nice.

[Dukefrukem]

Hilariously awful new clip can be viewed here:

http://www.slashfilm.com/2009/09/07/new-clips-2012-ninja-assassin-and-romeros-survival-of-the-dead/

hahahahha awesome.

[Dead & Messed Up]

I thought I was above this hokum. I thought I was too smart, and blockbusters like this were bad.

And then I saw this five minute clip (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZxBYItj2sM&feature=player_embedded#at=328 ).

And now I can't wait.

Emmerich's an artist, and he's about to paint his masterpiece.

[Dukefrukem]

I thought I was above this hokum. I thought I was too smart, and blockbusters like this were bad.

And then I saw this five minute clip (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZxBYItj2sM&feature=player_embedded#at=328 ).

And now I can't wait.

Emmerich's an artist, and he's about to paint his masterpiece.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

I CAN"T WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!!

[chrisnu]

I thought I was above this hokum. I thought I was too smart, and blockbusters like this were bad.

And then I saw this five minute clip (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZxBYItj2sM&feature=player_embedded#at=328 ).

And now I can't wait.

Emmerich's an artist, and he's about to paint his masterpiece.
3:36 - best scream ever

[Kurosawa Fan]

3:36 - best scream ever

:lol:

How did I miss that the first time through?

[Ivan Drago]

This movie will be so bad...but it'll look so good.

[number8]

That's the Comic Con clip I was describing a couple of pages back! Amazing, isn't it?

[Dead & Messed Up]

That's the Comic Con clip I was describing a couple of pages back! Amazing, isn't it?

There's something hilariously hypocritical about that little girl crying.

[Adam]

Really, fellas? Looks absurdly stupid to me and I mean how is that CGI any more impressive than the CGI in, say, The Day After Tomorrow? Same-old, same-old to these tired eyes. Also, (hoping not to sound too lame here) isn't there something perversely tasteless about showing hundreds of millions of people dying in fake explosions set to a generic, rousing score and then cutting to their dead flaming carcasses sinking into the Pacific backed by some generic operatic ditty all in the name of popcorny entertainment? At least Day After Tomorrow had a flimsy message tacked on, Roland

And, jeez, $200 million some-odd dollars and they couldn't land a better Arnie impression?

[Kurosawa Fan]

In case my response was misinterpreted, I will not be seeing this. I don't want to be confused with those who think this will be entertaining.

Not that there's anything wrong with that.

[[ETM]]

And, jeez, $200 million some-odd dollars and they couldn't land a better Arnie impression?

I actually think that's Emmerich himself. I'd do it if I was him.

[Adam]

Nope (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2590280/)

[[ETM]]

Nope (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2590280/)

Opportunity missed.

[Spun Lepton]

\And then I saw this five minute clip (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZxBYItj2sM&feature=player_embedded#at=328 ).

http://www.meikathon.net/roflmao/facepalm4.jpg

Emmerich doesn't just have a hard-on for the end of the world, he's taken Extra-Strength Viagra and has a raging, 18-hour hard-on for it.

[Boner M]

At the end of that clip, I was waiting for the floor of the plane to start collapsing, upon which the family screams then resorts to a mini-helicopter within the plane.

[Watashi]

I saw the new trailer for this before Zombieland.

It looked so fucking amazing. I want it now.

[Dead & Messed Up]

At the end of that clip, I was waiting for the floor of the plane to start collapsing, upon which the family screams then resorts to a mini-helicopter within the plane.

I just like how stupidly everything escalates. So, their house simply crumbles, then the ground simply falls, then a building falls slowly enough that they aren't crushed by the upper floors, then they inexplicably are in an airplane.

That last part kills me, cause it reminds me of a timeless MST3K quote: "Wow, during a cutaway, anything is possible!"

[KK2.0]

I thought I was above this hokum. I thought I was too smart, and blockbusters like this were bad.

And then I saw this five minute clip (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZxBYItj2sM&feature=player_embedded#at=328 ).

And now I can't wait.

Emmerich's an artist, and he's about to paint his masterpiece.


GLORIOUS :lol:

[lovejuice]

In case my response was misinterpreted, I will not be seeing this. I don't want to be confused with those who think this will be entertaining.

Not that there's anything wrong with that.

*coughcoughspeedracercoughcoug h*

[Kurosawa Fan]

*coughcoughspeedracercoughcoug h*

Exactly. I try to see only quality films. Thanks for the help lovejuice. You've always got my back. That's what I like about you.

[Adam]

2012: It's A Disaster! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZW2qxFkcLM0)

[Dukefrukem]

2012: It's A Disaster! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZW2qxFkcLM0)

http://match-cut.org/showpost.php?p=187707&postcount=79

[angrycinephile]

I think for every movie everybody says I love disaster movies. But I actually love a good story. And disaster images just come with it. I think VFX has come a long way. We don't use models anymore. Nearly anything is possible. We can do stuff much more convincing than ever before. In essence, for me, I always try to put a spin on everything. For example, when we had this idea that the president gets killed in the movie, I said, 'Oh, not destroying the White House again. I've done this so many times.' And then [cowriter] Harald Kloser said to me, 'Just come up with a unique way.' And I said, 'Okay, it's like a big wave.' I had visited Chesapeake Bay; they have this old fleet of warships. Maybe like an aircraft carrier JFK crashes into the White House, like JFK returns to the White House. I like that!

Well, at least one can admire Emmerich's enthusiasm. By the way, I like how he is now writing his scripts with his composer. Harald Kloser wrote the score for The Day After Tomorrow. I don't know how he went from that to being Emmerich's new writing partner.

Anyway, I still haven't decided whether or not the film looks ridiculously awesome or hilariously awful. Either way, comedy will ensue.

[Morris Schæffer]

I caught a new trailer for 2012. The FX appear really exceptional. Sure, the scope of it all is immense, but the destruction appears chock full of details, packed with so much incidental detail.

[Watashi]

This movie is going to be 3 hours long.

It's going to be awesome.

[Dead & Messed Up]

This movie is going to be 3 hours long.

It's going to be awesome.

I dunno. Day After Tomorrow was enjoyable for an hour or so, but it really drug its feet to the finish line.

[Derek]

This movie is going to be 3 hours long.

I am going to be doing everything within my power to avoid ever watching it.

[Watashi]

You saw Transformers 2 and The Goods.

I'm pretty sure you're watching 2012.

[Derek]

You saw Transformers 2 and The Goods.

I'm pretty sure you're watching 2012.

I regret being drug to Transformers 2 and I watched The Goods at work. I've already told my friend who wants to see it no dice.

And yet deep down I fear you may still be right, Wats. :(

[Winston*]

3 hours long means more bullshit drama, not more aircraft carriers destroying the White House.

[lovejuice]

3 hours long means more bullshit drama, not more aircraft carriers destroying the White House.
yeah. i indeed have been all for this movie from the beginning, but this is bad news.

[Morris Schæffer]

This movie is going to be 3 hours long.

It's going to be awesome.

A 3-hour long disaster movie. Okay, that's new so Roland Emmerich, meet benefit of the doubt.

[Wryan]

At the end, the alien race from Stargate lands in their pyramid spaceships and Kurt Russell steps out to lend assistance.

[Dead & Messed Up]

At the end, the alien race from Stargate lands in their pyramid spaceships and Kurt Russell steps out to lend assistance.

Future Oscar contender.

[KK2.0]

This movie is going to be 3 hours long.

It's going to be awesome.

this actually got me worried.

if only it means 80% of that time consists of people dying in spectacular ways and dodging natural disasters with vehicles.

John Cusack better be entertaining on the other 20%.

[Spun Lepton]

Future Oscar contender.

You should be ashamed. Everybody knows Transormers 2 is ... okay, I can't even continue with the joke.

[number8]

LOL:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-7WRi1o2v0

[chrisnu]

LOL:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-7WRi1o2v0
I found this treacly sludge the other day. Thought about posting in the American Idol thread, but forgot. UGGGGHHHH. And yet so appropriate.

[number8]

I posted that video with snarky remarks and it looks like I've attracted ire from Lambert fans. Oh noes, what will I doo...

[Sxottlan]

Without knowing if there's going to be some religious slant to the film (arks and saving animals in the trailer etc.), I like the images of the foundations of government and religion wiped out by nature.

[number8]

Speaking of which, how the hell did Noah get two of each species anyway? What country did he live in that had tigers, koalas and fucking penguins?

[[ETM]]

Speaking of which, how the hell did Noah get two of each species anyway? What country did he live in that had tigers, koalas and fucking penguins?

God, duh. Don't you watch Battlestar Galactica?

[Derek]

Speaking of which, how the hell did Noah get two of each species anyway? What country did he live in that had tigers, koalas and fucking penguins?

You'll find out in Roland Emmerich's next ambitious movie which follows Noah for 40 days as the rain and waves destroy everything on Earth.

[Spun Lepton]

You'll find out in Roland Emmerich's next ambitious movie which follows Noah for 40 days as the rain and waves destroy everything on Earth.

I wonder if the White House will make an inexplicable cameo in the movie, and be promptly destroyed. He'll find a way to cram it in there, you'll see.

[KK2.0]

I wonder if the White House will make an inexplicable cameo in the movie, and be promptly destroyed. He'll find a way to cram it in there, you'll see.

:confused: it's in the trailer!

And the best part is, not satisfyied in throwing a tsunami on it, it also throws an entire Aircraft Carrier. good stuff.

[number8]

:confused: it's in the trailer!

And the best part is, not satisfyied in throwing a tsunami on it, it also throws an entire Aircraft Carrier. good stuff.


He's talking about the imaginary Noah's Ark movie.

[Wryan]

Roland Emmerich's The Ark.

This summer, spend your time cramped in a large, confined space with hundreds of sweaty, grunting, bleating animals. Then sit back and enjoy the movie.

[Spun Lepton]

:confused: it's in the trailer!

And the best part is, not satisfyied in throwing a tsunami on it, it also throws an entire Aircraft Carrier. good stuff.

You should've read what I quoted before responding. ;)

[KK2.0]

:P *embarassed

[Spun Lepton]

Roland Emmerich's The Ark.

This summer, spend your time cramped in a large, confined space with hundreds of sweaty, grunting, bleating animals. Then sit back and enjoy the movie.

Now I'm imagining a bunch of BOOMING WAVES, CRASHING into the boat, intercut with reaction shots of giraffes and elephants.

BOOM CRASH
Elephant: :eek:
CRASH BOOM
Giraffe: :eek:
KER-SPLAAAASHHHH
Emu: :eek:

[Qrazy]

The story of Noah's Ark could actually probably make for an incredible movie.

[Dead & Messed Up]

The story of Noah's Ark could actually probably make for an incredible movie.

Especially the epilogue when Noah gets drunk off his ass and passes out naked in front of his family.

I'm picturing Zach Galifianakis.

[lovejuice]

The story of Noah's Ark could actually probably make for an incredible movie.
http://www.cdshop4u.com/shop/images/evan-almighty-poster-2.jpg

[Ezee E]

Aronofsky has a Noah's Ark that he'd like to do. But I guess it takes place in modern times.

[Dukefrukem]

awesome ad

http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/gizmodo/2009/11/2012TheMovie.jpg

[Morris Schæffer]

How does that work? The water on the floor?

[Grouchy]

How does that work? The water on the floor?
My guess is that it's not really water.

[number8]

How does that work? The water on the floor?

Er, it's an artwork.

[Fezzik]

Wow..that ad is really well done.

[Spun Lepton]

Den of Geek says it's stupid as hell, but fun.

http://denofgeek.com/movies/357257/2012_review.html

[Dukefrukem]

Den of Geek says it's stupid as hell, but fun.

http://denofgeek.com/movies/357257/2012_review.html

The only question is GI Joe fun or Crank fun?

[Morris Schæffer]

The only question is GI Joe fun or Crank fun?

One Belgian review said that 2012, unlike Transformers, the FX don't pummel the viewer over the head without cessation, but that they're genuinely tremendous and that Roland Emmerich, obliteration-wise, has really gone to town this time.

[Dukefrukem]

but that they're genuinely tremendous and that Roland Emmerich, obliteration-wise, has really gone to town this time.


As expected....

I can't buy tickets online for this. WTF?

[number8]

Hahahaha, look at Roland Emmerich's living room:

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/packages/images/photo/2008/08/07/20080807-EMMERICH/23815523.JPG

This is his office:

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2008/08/06/garden/23922121.JPG

People under the stairs:

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2008/08/06/garden/23922277.JPG

Bedroom:

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/packages/images/photo/2008/08/07/20080807-EMMERICH/23922177.JPG

More craziness here:

http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2008/08/07/garden/20080807-EMMERICH_index.html

[Morris Schæffer]

lol:)

[Raiders]

A chair on the terrace was made of Shell oil cans by children in Ghana. Benches are laser-cut with the words "insurgents" and "infidels."

:lol:

It only figures.

[Grouchy]

Wow, some people just have too much money.

[Derek]

I wanna know who's in that picture on his nightstand. For now, I'll keep pretending it's Judd Apatow.

[Sycophant]

I wanna know who's in that picture on his nightstand. For now, I'll keep pretending it's Judd Apatow.

I'm thinking it's Ahmadinejad.

[lovejuice]

I'm thinking it's Ahmadinejad.
me too.

[number8]

It is Ahmadinejad.

[Kurosawa Fan]

I think it looks like Ahmadinejad.

[Raiders]

I think the picture is that Iranian guy... what's his name...

... uh... Bush? Little help here?

[Kurosawa Fan]

I think the picture is that Iranian guy... what's his name...

... uh... Bush? Little help here?

I think you're thinking of that Osama guy. But I'm pretty sure it's Ahmadinejad. That guy who's living in caves or something.

[KK2.0]

maybe it's his boyfriend, he's openly gay isn't he?

but yeah, it looks like Ahmadinejad

[Boner M]

Ehh... the comedy value suggested by the early footage and Aussie reviews is rather overstated. The first half delivers the goods, and Woody Harrelson's performance as the token outcast hippie is gold, but nothing betters the clip DaMU posted a few pages ago. By the film's second half, Emmerich runs out of things for his characters to outrun and/or narrowly avoid with their getaway vehicles, and starts pretending that he cares about these people, and the film turns into a progressively sappy and tedious chore.

See it for an awesomely retarded first half, but be prepared for disappointment thereon.

[number8]

I kept laughing throughout. The comedy value is not just in the destructions.

[lovejuice]

maybe it's his boyfriend, he's openly gay isn't he?

but yeah, it looks like Ahmadinejad
yeah...a flaming homosexual if there ever is one.

[KK2.0]

I kept laughing throughout. The comedy value is not just in the destructions.

this hyped me up even more than the visual fx

[Rowland]

Nice to see a (positive) review from FFC that attempts to take the implications of this thing seriously. Also, a 63 from Theo.

[number8]

Nice to see a (positive) review from FFC that attempts to take the implications of this thing seriously. Also, a 63 from Theo.

Ian Pugh is a much better writer than Chaw.

[Dukefrukem]

seeing this tonight at 12:01

[Sycophant]

If I had a theater, I'd run it at 12:20. Maybe that's when it'll actually start, ads and trailers considered.

[Boner M]

Nice to see a (positive) review from FFC that attempts to take the implications of this thing seriously. Also, a 63 from Theo.
The only implications the film has involve what crazy shit Roland will be able to buy for his house next.

The comedy value is not just in the destructions.Oh, I definitely agree (at least when I was enjoying the film). It's just that the film gets so mind-numbingly repetitive by the time everyone relocates to China that there was no comedy value left (for me, at least).

[Dukefrukem]

just got back... wow

[Dukefrukem]

1. Best Special Effects Ever (until Avatar)

2. I like John Cusack

3. I fucking hate Amanda Peet


4. The Volcano explosions were the best parts of the movie... sure the race to the airport looked great and was funny, but Woody Harrelson MADE that scene what it is. It was also the best disaster scene.

5. The subway shooting out in front of the plane made me laugh

6. The fact that the USS John F Kennedy still had jets on the deck as it was toppling over made me laugh

7. The worst looking disaster was a tie between the Vatican and the Washington Monument


8. I wish they concentrated more on explaining how the ships worked, how they were powered, if they had any reusable energy technology, how many people they held... etc etc... maybe they did explain this somewhere in their viral marketing campaigns but it would have made for a better ending... instead of what they went with...


...a dragged out 'door is jammed and we gotta unjam it before we can start our engines' ending.


9. If the south pole shifted to Wisconsin, wouldn't that completely turn the Earth? Why would S. Africa still be a good place to settle?


10. Emmerich really likes to make people run away from things.

[Adam]

Did they address how Schwarzenegger could possibly still be Governor of California in 2012?

[number8]

Did they address how Schwarzenegger could possibly still be Governor of California in 2012?

Nope. They glossed over the fact that it's an election year, too.

[number8]

http://www.justpressplay.net/movie-reviews/40-reviews/6162-2012.html

[Morris Schæffer]

1. Best Special Effects Ever (until Avatar)



Nice to see this confirmed once again that the FX really deliver the goods. I'm seeing the movie tomorrow evening.

[Dukefrukem]

Nice to see this confirmed once again that the FX really deliver the goods. I'm seeing the movie tomorrow evening.

There's one scene in particular that will blow your mind. I was in awe and it's not in the trailer.

[Dukefrukem]

http://www.justpressplay.net/movie-reviews/40-reviews/6162-2012.html

Very good analysis here.


I love how terrible the film is at foreplay. It just can’t wait to start kicking shit down, so it rushes through the setup

I totally agree. We go from India 2009 to US 2012 in 5 minutes.

I as well noticed the 'Emmerich’s nod to Obama' symbolism.

[KK2.0]

My greatest worry is the three hour mark, does it drag? Or it keeps being stupid entertaining through?


"Emmerich’s characters are inspired by Emmerich characters to act more like Emmerich characters. Whoa." _ Number 8

:lol:

[Dukefrukem]

My greatest worry is the three hour mark, does it drag? Or it keeps being stupid entertaining through?



:lol:

I was looking at my watch as the ending climax was building. It's not an ID4 ending by far.

[kuehnepips]

just got back... wow

Really?

My kids are teenagers, but they don't want to see it.

Emmerich is born in the area I've been living since ages; recently he was here again (gave a birthday party). I still consider Arche Noah his best film.

[Sxottlan]

Huh. You know, this was actually pretty good.

Maybe it was because I wasn't expecting much. However, I've long wanted to see a movie where disaster struck and it was so severe people had to flee the planet and this was pretty similar.

I love the FFC review. I wonder if Chaw's nihilistic view would enjoy it?

[Watashi]

This movie.

It is so glorious.

I love the last exchange between Cusack and his daughter. It's so ambiguous and sets up for so many possible sequel ideas.

[Morris Schæffer]

There's one scene in particular that will blow your mind. I was in awe and it's not in the trailer.

Which scene are you referring to Duke?

As for the movie itself, I think it may be the most spectacular one of the year so far. Folks get worked up over Star Trek (which I liked a lot), but boy the Abrams reboot ain't got nuttin' on this bad boy. So cheesiness and over-the-topness be damned, the FX are so breathtaking - and easy to savor for a change - that I was frequently on the edge of of my seat. So during the scene when they escape out of Vegas with the Antonov transport plane I kinda new they were going to make it, but I was still shifting in my seat when the plane just sort of dissapeared into the void at the end of the runway.

Gloriously entertaining, at no point too long or boring. Harrelson irritated me however.

[Sxottlan]

The more I think about this movie, the more I like it.

[Derek]

This movie.

It is so glorious.

http://ia.media-imdb.com/images/M/MV5BNjg3MzMyNTQ5NF5BMl5BanBnXk FtZTcwODAxMTI5Mg@@._V1._SX600_ SY400_.jpg

Kneel before me!

[Ivan Drago]

"That's a big plane!"
"...It's Russian." :lol:

This movie was...I can't even rate it. It's so mindnumbingly stupid but the VFX are some of the best in a while...especially when California is destroyed and Yellowstone blows up...dear God, Best. Explosion. Ever.

:head explodes:

[Dukefrukem]

Which scene are you referring to Duke?

As for the movie itself, I think it may be the most spectacular one of the year so far. Folks get worked up over Star Trek (which I liked a lot), but boy the Abrams reboot ain't got nuttin' on this bad boy. So cheesiness and over-the-topness be damned, the FX are so breathtaking - and easy to savor for a change - that I was frequently on the edge of of my seat. So during the scene when they escape out of Vegas with the Antonov transport plane I kinda new they were going to make it, but I was still shifting in my seat when the plane just sort of dissapeared into the void at the end of the runway.

Gloriously entertaining, at no point too long or boring. Harrelson irritated me however.


The Super Volcano eruption. It was epic.

[Derek]

A friend wants to see this for his birthday, but they're going tomorrow night when I'm working. Close call, but I never have to see this movie!!

http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/1151/gifbinblackandwhitedanc.gif

[Morris Schæffer]

"That's a big plane!"
"...It's Russian." :lol:

This movie was...I can't even rate it. It's so mindnumbingly stupid but the VFX are some of the best in a while...especially when California is destroyed and Yellowstone blows up...dear God, Best. Explosion. Ever.

:head explodes:

Hey, you rated Crank 2. ;)

[Dukefrukem]

Holy balllllllz



Sony Pictures announced today its 2012 opened as a runaway No. 1 with $23.6 million Friday (including $1M in Thursday midnights) and $24.8M Saturday (+5%) from 3,404 theaters, with the studio expecting another $16.6M on Sunday. That's a $65M domestic weekend and $160M international Wednesday through Sunday launch (with 2/3s of the 100 territories releasing day and date starting Friday, including North America). So it's on its way past $225M worldwide for its first 5 days.

Deadline (http://www.deadline.com/hollywood/first-box-office/)

[Stay Puft]

If this thing was a videogame, John Cusack's high score would be astronomical.

[KK2.0]

yes, it's moving tons of people to theaters, i've watched it on a wednesday afternoon and it was nearly sold out.

It matched my expectations, what a silly movie! I was actually having a blast but near the end boredom started to kick in. It was slightly disappointing that most of the best vfx were in the trailers also, but the LA earthquake was spectacular to watch in the big screen.


He killed a lot of secondary characters, Emmerich is getting bitter :lol: i felt bad for Gordon. It was hilarious how fast his girlfriend and the boy forgot him.

[Skitch]

It's beyond me how this gets a pass, as I see the same amount of faults with this as Transformers 2.

It was completely rediculous, but I fully enjoyed.

It was all I could do not yell out...

..."ICEBERG!" When the did the big overhead shot of the three ships with the 'everythings okay' music.

[lovejuice]

like many people, i find the best is actually at the beginning and the movie gets progressively more boring. i also have problem with the movie's "moral stance." why on earth Cusack and a bunch of stowaways who nearly kill everyone else are turned into heroes? i want to boo so bad when he re-units with his family. also are those things supposed to be just ships? do i hear someone mention they are spaceships?

[Wryan]

Actually i found this a little soul-crushing. May have just been in a mood, and it was certainly funny/fun, but that's a lot of human devastation that sorta hit me close to home for god knows what reason. But great effects and better actors than it probably deserved. The son was surprisingly good.

[Morris Schæffer]

like many people, i find the best is actually at the beginning and the movie gets progressively more boring. i also have problem with the movie's "moral stance." why on earth Cusack and a bunch of stowaways who nearly kill everyone else are turned into heroes? i want to boo so bad when he re-units with his family. also are those things supposed to be just ships? do i hear someone mention they are spaceships?

Maybe because movies such as these need protagonists and antagonists? Yeah, it would have been cool to have well written, complex characters to go with all the wonderful, wonderful mayhem, but of course the film needs to single a few out as the heroes. How can you make such movies and not have heroes? Of course Cusack was going to be the one to close the ships doors rather than an anonymous extra. And I simply saw Cusack as looking after his family. There was, at least from what I recall, no hero worshipping courtesy of the other million folks.

[number8]

It's really because films like this favor the family unit, typically as an entrance point. There is a hero worship of Cusack in a way—in the eyes of his family. And that's the only thing that matters, because the character arc is Cusack redeeming himself in front of his wife and kids. This is also why the boyfriend had to die. He was a stepfather figure, and therefore automatically of lesser value, since he's standing in the way of the American family. Cusack is the hero because he's the one fighting for moral values, which Chiwetel later adopts.

[Dukefrukem]

It's beyond me how this gets a pass, as I see the same amount of faults with this as Transformers 2.

It was completely rediculous, but I fully enjoyed.

It was all I could do not yell out...

..."ICEBERG!" When the did the big overhead shot of the three ships with the 'everythings okay' music.

2012 doesn't have racist robots.

[lovejuice]

i understand what 8 and morris are trying to say. and i have to admit that the mayhem works best when there are escaping protagonists in the scene. (for example the californian earthquake.) but my feeling tends to allign more with wryan here. to the extreme, what 2012's trying to say is that everything can go as long as the american family value survives? that's a bit too much for me.

2013 will be fun with all those extra chinese male workers around. and so few chinese girls.

[Skitch]

2012 doesn't have racist robots.
Futurama does.

[Morris Schæffer]

2012 doesn't have racist robots.

Or a mother you wanna throw in front of a freight train.

[Dukefrukem]

Futurama does.

But Futurama is funny in a different way.

[number8]

i understand what 8 and morris are trying to say. and i have to admit that the mayhem works best when there are escaping protagonists in the scene. (for example the californian earthquake.) but my feeling tends to allign more with wryan here. to the extreme, what 2012's trying to say is that everything can go as long as the american family value survives? that's a bit too much for me.

I wasn't defending it.

[Kurosawa Fan]

Why oh why did I watch this? I told myself I wouldn't, but then my dad bought it on Blu-Ray, and all of my siblings were telling me how fun it was to watch everything blow up and that it looked really good and I need something stupid like this after stressing about school for so long, etc., etc., etc.

All I can say is this: the last line of the film is the daughter saying she doesn't piss the bed anymore. That is symbolic of the quality of the entire film. And I kind of wish Roland Emmerich would stop pissing the bed when he decides to make a movie. There was nothing of value in this pile of manure. Nothing.

[Rowland]

I didn't post anything about it in here, but I rather liked this, as it's not only intentionally funny and better acted than it needed to be, but also politically savvy in ways one wouldn't expect from Emmerich. He still isn't a very good filmmaker, his scenes of epic destruction far less convincing or terrifying than what Spielberg achieved with WotW, but at least they're coherent and frequently spectacular for their sheer scope, and he does largely keep its bloated running time from growing dull.

[Boner M]

but also politically savvy in ways one wouldn't expect from Emmerich.
Oh c'mon.

[Kurosawa Fan]

Oh c'mon.

My thoughts exactly.

[Rowland]

Oh c'mon.Absolutely. It's justifiably cynical enough to believe that leaders of the world wouldn't warn the global population beyond those rich enough to afford $1 billion dollar Ark tickets, even callously leaving behind those third-world scientists and laborers who helped them achieve the means to survive. The movie rightfully believes in chance over religion, with religious monuments the world over crumbling (frequently directly over their worshipers) while Cusack's unknown book, read by no more than a dozen or so people, just so happens to be one that survives. And heck, it even ditches the American-centrism of most disaster movies by moving its conclusion to China and featuring the American president being unceremoniously squashed by the USS JFK before the halfway point, only to end with the International community agreeing to tell an American politician to fuck off, which is even more interesting when one considers that the film renders his arguments just as reasonable as those of the Ejiofer character. I could keep going. ;)

[Raiders]

I could keep going. ;)


I'm sure you could when all you have to do is pick some random event and find a way to fit it into potential ideas or opinions held by somebody somewhere. Not to mention even if what you're saying is true (and that's a stretch, particularly the "chance over religion" stuff), there isn't anything savvy about it. Rich and priveleged (both financially and positionally) screwing over the proletariat, even the scientists? Religious statues/cultural landmarks crumbling in the wake of armageddon? The comeuppance of those utilizing politics/knowledge for personal and selfish gains? This is hardly new and certainly nothing worth praising.

[Rowland]

Rich and priveleged (both financially and positionally) screwing over the proletariat, even the scientists?It isn't just a matter of this, but how explicitly the film grapples with the moral conundrum over who lives and who dies, a question that informs large portions of its discourse, right down to the climax which suggests that the survival of those on the Arks, our protagonists, and the hordes of faceless masses fighting to board the ships are all intrinsically linked. And furthermore, even the rich/privileged are afforded grace notes, with the Russian mobster and his children sketched as monsters, only for him to heroically sacrifice his life lifting his children to safety while the mistress who gave them the finger ironically drowns aboard the Ark.


Religious statues/cultural landmarks crumbling in the wake of armageddon?It's not just the fact that these religious/cultural landmarks crumble, but how explicitly the movie makes a connection with the failure of these establishments to offer any salve from the unpitying wake of destruction. From the image of a crack separating the link between Adam and God on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel to the White House (and the makeshift refugee camp surrounding it) being obliterated by a supercarrier bearing the seal of JFK, simultaneously dismissing militaristic might, '60s-era social optimism, and third-world post-devastation aid as safeguards in one full swoop. Consider as well smaller moments, such as when a character risks his life landing a plane to save our protagonists and prays to God when death appears immanent, after which he appears for a moment to be spared before his prayer is heard on deaf ears and he dies anyway; the real Mona Lisa being replaced by a duplicate, or even a character confusing the Eiffel Tower in Las Vegas for the real thing; this all points to the disposability and unreliability of those artifices we erect in the pretext of culture/religion.


The comeuppance of those utilizing politics/knowledge for personal and selfish gains?Again shaded in gray because the Senator character played by Platt is never refuted so much as pleaded with; his pragmatism for the survival of the human race (not just personal/selfish gains) is never painted as any less than logical, and it's only the compassion of a unified world community that wins out in the end.

[Raiders]

It isn't just a matter of this, but how explicitly the film grapples with the moral conundrum over who lives and who dies, a question that informs large portions of its discourse, right down to the climax which suggests that the survival of those on the Arks, our protagonists, and the hordes of faceless masses fighting to board the ships are all intrinsically linked. And furthermore, even the rich/privileged are afforded grace notes, with the Russian mobster and his children sketched as monsters, only for him to heroically sacrifice his life lifting his children to safety while the mistress who gave them the finger ironically drowns aboard the Ark.

This kind of sounds like most survival stories. Redemptive characters, morally suspect characters, all getting their final ends as we would like to see. I don't see how anything mentioned here furthers this sort of idea beyond what many films before have done, and I don't think Emmerich is doing it with any greater class or skill.


It's not just the fact that these religious/cultural landmarks crumble, but how explicitly the movie makes a connection with the failure of these establishments to offer any salve from the unpitying wake of destruction. From the image of a crack separating the link between Adam and God on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel to the White House (and the makeshift refugee camp surrounding it) being obliterated by a supercarrier bearing the seal of JFK, simultaneously dismissing militaristic might, '60s-era social optimism, and third-world post-devastation aid as safeguards in one full swoop.

But almost all disaster movies do this. It's kind of the motif, and likely to an extent necessary. The film is the end of the world, so naturally what better way to express the complete inability of our man-made social and religious constructs to fight the inevitable than their complete annihilation?


Consider as well smaller moments, such as when a character risks his life landing a plane to save our protagonists and prays to God when death appears immanent, after which he appears for a moment to survive before his prayer is heard on deaf ears and he dies anyway

That strikes me as basic cynical irony. In fact, it is even worse than that. It is playing at the complete base desires for us to find relief, as the character does, only to see a madman (Emmerich) both preserve a family unit (at the cost of decency and humanity, as he always does) and delight in his God complex of destroying that in the world which he so obviously dislikes.


Again shaded in gray because the Senator character played by Platt is never refuted so much as pleaded with; his pragmatism for the survival of the human race is never painted as any less than logical, and it's only the compassion of a unified world community that wins out in the end.

But this again always happens in movies. The "sacrifice the many" mentality to preserve culture and survival of a species never wins in grand armageddon fantasies because nobody wants logic. Emmerich knows this. The character's own logic is his doom, the same way that logic is always seen solely as corrupt and evil. I also find it funny you claim above Emmerich fights off the comforts of 60s era social optimism when his resolution is likely nothing but. It's compassion that wins out, not necessity or logic.

Ultimately, my point is simply there isn't anything new here, and much of this Emmerich himself has done before in his myriad disaster films. Like them, this is also as artless and stupid and has a base contempt for almost all of humanity that is not part of the little band of cliches Emmerich has strung together to survive.

[Rowland]

I'll respond tonight, life duties beckon. :)

[Kurosawa Fan]

I love that I instigated this debate. Actually I don't, because this movie is a piece of shit and Rowland is grasping at straws, only I'm compelled to keep reading, even though it means wasting more of my life on Roland Emmerich.

[Watashi]

I hope Roland Emmerich never stops making movies.

[number8]

Rowland... EMMERICH?

Investigate.

[Morris Schæffer]

Rowland... EMMERICH?

Investigate.

Rorschach?

I thought 2012 was genuinely spectacular, thrilling, sometimes a bit silly, but ultimately the FX were so amazing, the action framed so superbly that I enjoyed it tons. Fuck politics.

[Ivan Drago]

Why oh why did I watch this? I told myself I wouldn't, but then my dad bought it on Blu-Ray, and all of my siblings were telling me how fun it was to watch everything blow up and that it looked really good and I need something stupid like this after stressing about school for so long, etc., etc., etc.

All I can say is this: the last line of the film is the daughter saying she doesn't piss the bed anymore. That is symbolic of the quality of the entire film. And I kind of wish Roland Emmerich would stop pissing the bed when he decides to make a movie. There was nothing of value in this pile of manure. Nothing.

But...but...a limousine drives THROUGH a skyscraper dodging falling office cubicles! And Yellowstone National Park explodes! And afterwards there's a jazz band singing "It's not the end of the world"!

[Milky Joe]

I watched this movie on a transatlantic flight. It was awesomely entertaining, as well as just the right amount of deeply disturbing.

[Boner M]

I'm sure you could when all you have to do is pick some random event and find a way to fit it into potential ideas or opinions held by somebody somewhere. Not to mention even if what you're saying is true (and that's a stretch, particularly the "chance over religion" stuff), there isn't anything savvy about it. Rich and priveleged (both financially and positionally) screwing over the proletariat, even the scientists? Religious statues/cultural landmarks crumbling in the wake of armageddon? The comeuppance of those utilizing politics/knowledge for personal and selfish gains? This is hardly new and certainly nothing worth praising.
Exactly. Emmerich's crass 'something for everyone' mentality has been getting more and more ludicrous (at least enjoyably so, in this case) with each film he makes; the film's still just a gooey love letter to the American family unit, with little breadcrumbs thrown to every audience member from every part of the world / end of the political spectrum.

[Mysterious Dude]

So I'm dog-sitting in a house with a 50-inch HD-TV and 900 channels, and I caught this last last night.

Emmerich has really outdone himself. I could accept an airplane outrunning an explosion on the runway once in Independence Day, but here Emmerich asks me to accept basically the same thing three times (in L.A., Yellowstone and Las Vegas). And in Independence Day, a character escapes the explosion by running into a tunnel and breaking down a door just in time. Hard to believe? In 2012, the characters escape a cataclysmic earthquake by driving through the city as it's being destroyed. It's amazing that this movie can make Independence Day seem realistic by comparison.

[number8]

My favorite nonsense in 2012 was John Cusack running away from a volcano eruption to get to an airplane that's running away from an earthquake.

[Morris Schæffer]

Fuck science. When the FX are great, and they certainly were totally friggin' stupendous in this one, I'll go along with it. I was actually genuinely thrilled watching this.

[Rowland]

I'll respond tonight, life duties beckon. :)Oops.

Yeah, I dunno if I'd defend this quite as seriously as I did a year ago, but I still recall it fondly for what it is.

[TGM]

Ridiculous as the rest of the movie may have been, it was all at least fun, up to a point. Basically, I loved how those ships at the end were supposedly built to be strong enough to sustain the whole world going to hell around them, yet a tangled cable is able to render them entirely inoperable. Brilliant! That sequence alone ruined the entire movie for me with its ridiculousness.

[Dead & Messed Up]

It kind of reaches the zenith of apocalypse movies, in more than one way. Because its special effects are so convincing, and the scope of destruction so enormous and unyielding, all those little CGI critters screaming start to feel like people. The movie is horrifying and borderline misanthropic with its gratuitous destruction and its repeated motif of the destruction of religious symbols.

I think Rowland is right to examine this - Emmerich wanted to destroy Muslim sites too but hesitated for fear of reprisals, and what he presents visually demonstrates Emmerich's skepticism (bordering on condescension) of where we place our faith. There's nothing accidental or incidental or minimal about the destruction of those symbols. Odd that he ends with people finding salvation in another religious icon (an Abrahamic one at that): the arks.

If the film were a hundred minutes long, it'd be my favorite of Emmerich's films.

[Raiders]

I still think there is nothing here that isn't done in most apocalyptic films, but regardless, so what if he does show cynicism of religion? It isn't actually an explored theme, it is just a dig at religious ideals in the face of impending ultimate doom. Unless God himself is creating this disaster (and who's to say otherwise?), obviously religion has failed to save humanity. The film still displays not an ounce of real religious conviction in any character (even Glover's prayer time is not about his faith but about the pragmatism of informing America and a sentimental farewell). So what if Emmerich can knock over some CG statues? That hardly equates to any thoughtful consideration of what religion offers, or fails to offer, in the face of such tragedy. Rather, it is an egomaniac delighting in destroying his little fictional world, religion and government and non-traditional families with it. It's the ultimate in smug, ugly cinema.

[Barty]

The most impressive thing about 2012 is Chiwetel Ejiofor somehow manages to give a very good performance to a completely stock character.

[[ETM]]

Ejiofor has never failed me.

[Dukefrukem]

So is the 2012 Yellowstone eruption that wiped out prehistoric animals coming?


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RiexHmbJlp4

[Kurosawa Fan]

No. (http://www.iflscience.com/environment/yellowstone-about-erupt)

[Morris Schæffer]

"So what are you saying? That the North Pole is somewhere in Wisconsin now?" :D

You two, somehow, prompted me to rewatch this last night. And fuck is it a fun movie. The set pieces are absurd, but the fx astounding. Cranked the surround up to eleven, my dog was mortified, but she lived. Which is entirely in line with an Emmerich flick.

[Milky Joe]

I watched this movie on a 6-inch screen on the back of a seat during a trans-atlantic flight. Enjoyed it thoroughly.

[Sven]

Cranked the surround up to eleven, my dog was mortified, but she lived. Which is entirely in line with an Emmerich flick.

I lol'd.

[Dukefrukem]

Refresh my memory- isn't this where hell started breaking loose in the movie??

http://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/wilderness-resources/stories/massive-crack-earth-opens-suddenly-wyomings-bighorn-mountains

http://media.mnn.com/assets/images/2015/10/crack.jpg.838x0_q80.jpg

[Morris Schæffer]

Reminds me of a mini version of this:

http://vignette2.wikia.nocookie.net/indianajones/images/c/c0/Canyon.jpg

[Skitch]

...the canyon of the crescent moon...