2012

It's only fitting that I review the movie 2012 this year.  Based on the Mayan calendar (which ends in December 2012), this is a disaster movie to end them all.  Its premise: changes in the Earth's core will cause global upheaval and flooding, resulting in wiping out all life, in 2012.  Scientists studying the core years before realize the situation, and inform respective governments.  Those governments, in turn, build several huge 'arks' to prepare, filling them with the world's treasures and anyone who can afford to buy a ticket.  The story centers on an American family as they experience the event, and try to stave off elimination.  They happen upon these arks, discover their purpose, and sneak on board at the end.

The film was largely panned by critics- but I happened to enjoy it.  The effects were amazing, and give one an impression of what it must have been like to experience the Biblical flood.  But the main thing I liked is also my main criticism: the movie raises a tremendously interesting social question- what would governments do if they knew years beforehand that the Earth would be destroyed?  In the movie, they keep the public in the dark, and tell only the wealthy, wise, and powerful about the situation.  They want to preserve the brightest minds (and, apparently, the richest).  The arks are built in secret in China, and the world's masterpieces are secretly transported there- anyone who knows about the situation, and is tempted to reveal it, gets killed.  It seems harsh, but what is the alternative?  Tell the people, and it would be reasonable to expect widespread panic and chaos.  Is it right to save only the wise and wealthy?  Is it good to keep billions in the dark to preserve peace, and save only those who can afford it, or who are blessed with extreme intellect?  Would the alternative be pandemonium, and cause the death of the human race?  Is this deception necessary to continue the species?  These are great questions, that bear much discussion.  Sadly, the movie passes over these, and focuses instead on the action and thrill.  I give it a decent rating for at least looking at the question- it could have been an amazing film if it had even attempted an answer.

Rating: B