This year seems to be the year of literally MIND-BLOWING special effects. Already we have had blockbusters such as Jurassic World, Age of Ultron and the forthcoming Ant-Man - all of which are challenging our minds and eyes to believe in the unbelievable. Putting the capital D in Disaster Movie, The Rock (aka Dwayne Johnson) takes on the might of mother nature in the latest hi octane, blockbuster disaster movie San Andreas. Clearly influenced by modern disaster movies (read: 2012, Day After Tomorrow) with a little bit of science jiggery-pokery to make it all sound rather plausible, this movie is actually quite an enjoyable romp.
Dwayne Johnson plays a fire rescue pilot Ray, capable of flying most airborne vehicles (and the ability to dangle out of them). The film starts with a situation right away - pretty blonde girl veering her car off the road while trying to check her latest Facebook update or equivalent. Cue the fire rescue to come and attempt to rescue her. The special effects in the first 15 minutes are breath-taking - giving an almost POV shot of what the girl is experiencing tumbling to her doom down a ravine. Luckily a tree overhanging stops her fall 'til the authorities get there - and Mr J & his helicopter team come in for the rescue. of course they save her - and maybe that's a spoiler but that's just the first 15 minutes of the movie or so.
We find out more about Mr Fireman - hot daughter, estranged wife dating millionaire property developer (played by the guy who played Reed Richards in the 2000's Fantastic Four) and a very rocky set of relationships. For the most part this set up seems to be a bit of a short cut way of setting up a family unit in modern movies and, although we learn a little bit more of it, it completely pales into insignificance once the action starts. Meanwhile all this is going on, over in a university lab, Paul Giamatti as Professor Lawrence (that's his first name not surname I assume) develops an early warning system to detect earthquakes. When one goes off and kills his colleague Dr Kim Park, he discovers that his theories are correct and there are bigger things on the horizon (also bigger special effects budget by all accounts too). As the Western part of America is slowly subject to numerous earthquakes it's up to Ray to rescue his family and Lawrence to save the people.
This movie is actually quite good. It's action from start to finish and as a visceral disaster movie you really do get your money's worth. The Rock is carving out a fantastic acting career for himself - managing to distance himself from the wrestler/actor stereotype defined by so many of his contemporaries before him. Where this film really shines is in the special effects and it really places you into the action. The intenseness (is that even a word?) of the action sequences will have you on the edge of your seat. I watched this in 2D but if there's a 3D version* and they did it well I would think this would be mind blowing. Yes, it's stupidly unrealistic at times and nearly every second one of the major characters is in mortal danger - but it's enjoyable.
Overall this film is good - there's only so much headway you can make in a disaster movie and we have seen it all before - but Dwayne Johnson is likeable enough to keep the story moving and there's enough action and destruction to keep ardent fans of the blockbuster/big budget special effects happy. if you want a mindless action movie with amazing special effects and don't want to think too much - this is your movie. Get the popcorn and settle down for some fun and excitement.
San Andreas is at the cinema now and is rated 12A.
Dwayne Johnson plays a fire rescue pilot Ray, capable of flying most airborne vehicles (and the ability to dangle out of them). The film starts with a situation right away - pretty blonde girl veering her car off the road while trying to check her latest Facebook update or equivalent. Cue the fire rescue to come and attempt to rescue her. The special effects in the first 15 minutes are breath-taking - giving an almost POV shot of what the girl is experiencing tumbling to her doom down a ravine. Luckily a tree overhanging stops her fall 'til the authorities get there - and Mr J & his helicopter team come in for the rescue. of course they save her - and maybe that's a spoiler but that's just the first 15 minutes of the movie or so.
We find out more about Mr Fireman - hot daughter, estranged wife dating millionaire property developer (played by the guy who played Reed Richards in the 2000's Fantastic Four) and a very rocky set of relationships. For the most part this set up seems to be a bit of a short cut way of setting up a family unit in modern movies and, although we learn a little bit more of it, it completely pales into insignificance once the action starts. Meanwhile all this is going on, over in a university lab, Paul Giamatti as Professor Lawrence (that's his first name not surname I assume) develops an early warning system to detect earthquakes. When one goes off and kills his colleague Dr Kim Park, he discovers that his theories are correct and there are bigger things on the horizon (also bigger special effects budget by all accounts too). As the Western part of America is slowly subject to numerous earthquakes it's up to Ray to rescue his family and Lawrence to save the people.
This movie is actually quite good. It's action from start to finish and as a visceral disaster movie you really do get your money's worth. The Rock is carving out a fantastic acting career for himself - managing to distance himself from the wrestler/actor stereotype defined by so many of his contemporaries before him. Where this film really shines is in the special effects and it really places you into the action. The intenseness (is that even a word?) of the action sequences will have you on the edge of your seat. I watched this in 2D but if there's a 3D version* and they did it well I would think this would be mind blowing. Yes, it's stupidly unrealistic at times and nearly every second one of the major characters is in mortal danger - but it's enjoyable.
Overall this film is good - there's only so much headway you can make in a disaster movie and we have seen it all before - but Dwayne Johnson is likeable enough to keep the story moving and there's enough action and destruction to keep ardent fans of the blockbuster/big budget special effects happy. if you want a mindless action movie with amazing special effects and don't want to think too much - this is your movie. Get the popcorn and settle down for some fun and excitement.
San Andreas is at the cinema now and is rated 12A.
POPSCORE: 8/10
What am I talking about? The movie San Andreas
Where can I find out more? http://www.sanandreasmovie.com/
If you like this try: Deep Impact, Volcano, 2012, The Day After Tomorrow
Anything else:
Kylie Minogue (yes, really) features in a scene in the movie.
This movie has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with Grand Theft Auto - though strangely, he steals a truck and gives it someone else in exchange of a plane. So maybe it has.
*When I was looking up the website address it says it is available in iMAX 3D. I may have to track this down - it would be one heck of a thrill ride!
If you like this try: Deep Impact, Volcano, 2012, The Day After Tomorrow
Anything else:
Kylie Minogue (yes, really) features in a scene in the movie.
This movie has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with Grand Theft Auto - though strangely, he steals a truck and gives it someone else in exchange of a plane. So maybe it has.
*When I was looking up the website address it says it is available in iMAX 3D. I may have to track this down - it would be one heck of a thrill ride!
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