Director: Brad Peyton
Writers: Carltorton Cuse (screenplay), Andre Fabrizio (story), 1 more credit »
Stars: Dwayne Johnson, Carla Gugino, Alexandra Daddario
Storyline
In the aftermath of a massive earthquake in California, a rescue-chopper pilot makes a dangerous journey across the state in order to rescue his estranged daughter.
San Andrews Muvie Reviews:
"Science fiction films are not about science. They are about disaster, which is one of the oldest subjects of art." ― Susan Sontag
Walking into the cinema... The Rock in a disaster film about
Cinematic rating: 2.5 stars Reel Dialogue Rating: 2 stars
Do we need another disaster film? When it comes to escapism, there is nothing like a good disaster film and it seems to be something that audiences want to see. Logic and physics need not apply. Script writers take a back seat to the CGI experts. In the case of San Andreas, it provides us something new: not just earthquakes, not just tsunamis, nor the typical well-timed American flag unfurling. What is new? We get The Rock (Dwayne Johnson) saving the world or at least portions of California. For those unaware, there is a huge fault caused by tectonic plates along the West Coast of the United States. These plates have been the cause of actual earthquakes throughout history and provided story line for many films. This fault line takes centre stage and is allowed to wreak havoc through many of California's cities, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, and even, Bakersfield. Even though San Andreas is a multi-regional disaster, the real story is of a man striving to save his family. Ray's (Johnson) family has been torn apart by tragedy and divorce, but beyond the personal dramas he has to save them from these impending earthquakes. It may not be an original storyline, but the reason many will choose to go to the cinema is to experience the ground-breaking special effects that come from this genre, have some fun and may even have a bit of a laugh.
Did San Andreas provide this desired special effects smorgasbord? To a degree, but it was not in the way that was expected. If San Andreas offers anything new to the catastrophic film experience, it is the breathtaking sound engineering. This may seem simplistic, but the sound engineering made this experience all encompassing and primal. Interestingly, it was the sound design that helps by adding a bizarre emotional component to the story. It allows the audience to feel the impact of the earthquakes and action on a new level.
Beyond the sound design, the rest of this familiar tempestuous tale suffered under the weight of expectation. Not that there was a high level of expectation for the script, the acting, but the visual experience, albeit grand, is not original. Some of the biggest visual challenges in the wake of the carnage were unexplained buildings in two world class cities that contained minimal occupants, vehicles with unlimited fuel consumption and the 'needle in a hay stack' search and rescue process. Yet, even with it's failings, director Brad Peyton (Journey 2: The Mysterious Island) provides the unbelievable and makes it all seem probable through the adrenaline-charged action. Also, the inclusion of the family drama cast against the backdrop of a disaster helped provide the film with the needed soul and a reason to care for the characters. The expectations were for this to be silly and unbelievable, but ultimately it turned out to be fun escapism.
Within the escapism, the questions get back to the primal considerations of the human experience: survival, salvation, the end of the world and the bond of family. In a year of disaster and dystopian films, it is easy to consider the end of the world, but San Andreas goes a step further and provides a glimpse into our need for others and especially family. In an unbelievable manner, this story shows the lengths people will go to provide care and safety for their family. This small familial nugget provides the gem amongst the falling rocks of California.
Leaving the cinema... Disaster films rank at the bottom of the list of my preferred genres. Why? Each film has to find different and bigger ways to destroy the world and in the end provides the same result. When it comes to San Andreas, it does not break new ground, but even though it was ridiculous, it was fun and provided an enjoyable cinematic esca
In the aftermath of a massive earthquake in California, a rescue-chopper pilot makes a dangerous journey across the state in order to rescue his estranged daughter. Director: Brad Peyton Writers: Carltorton Cuse (screenplay), Andre Fabrizio (story), 1 more credit » Stars: Dwayne Johnson, Carla Gugino, Alexandra Daddario Storyline In the aftermath of a massive earthquake in California, a rescue-chopper pilot makes a dangerous journey across the state in order to rescue his estranged daughter. San Andrews Muvie Reviews "Science fiction films are not about science. They are about disaster, which is one of the oldest subjects of art." ― Susan Sontag Walking into the cinema... The Rock in a disaster film about falling and shifting rocks. Ironic? Get ready to turn off the brain, watch cities be destroyed, have fun and even have a good laugh. Cinematic rating: 2.5 stars Reel Dialogue Rating: 2 stars Do we need another disaster film? When it comes to escapism, there is nothing like a good disaster film and it seems to be something that audiences want to see. Logic and physics need not apply. Script writers take a back seat to the CGI experts. In the case of San Andreas, it provides us something new: not just earthquakes, not just tsunamis, nor the typical well-timed American flag unfurling. What is new? We get The Rock (Dwayne Johnson) saving the world or at least portions of California. For those unaware, there is a huge fault caused by tectonic plates along the West Coast of the United States. These plates have been the cause of actual earthquakes throughout history and provided story line for many films. This fault line takes centre stage and is allowed to wreak havoc through many of California's cities, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, and even, Bakersfield. Even though San Andreas is a multi-regional disaster, the real story is of a man striving to save his family. Ray's (Johnson) family has been torn apart by tragedy and divorce, but beyond the personal dramas he has to save them from these impending earthquakes. It may not be an original storyline, but the reason many will choose to go to the cinema is to experience the ground-breaking special effects that come from this genre, have some fun and may even have a bit of a laugh. Did San Andreas provide this desired special effects smorgasbord? To a degree, but it was not in the way that was expected. If San Andreas offers anything new to the catastrophic film experience, it is the breathtaking sound engineering. This may seem simplistic, but the sound engineering made this experience all encompassing and primal. Interestingly, it was the sound design that helps by adding a bizarre emotional component to the story. It allows the audience to feel the impact of the earthquakes and action on a new level. Beyond the sound design, the rest of this familiar tempestuous tale suffered under the weight of expectation. Not that there was a high level of expectation for the script, the acting, but the visual experience, albeit grand, is not original. Some of the biggest visual challenges in the wake of the carnage were unexplained buildings in two world class cities that contained minimal occupants, vehicles with unlimited fuel consumption and the 'needle in a hay stack' search and rescue process. Yet, even with it's failings, director Brad Peyton (Journey 2: The Mysterious Island) provides the unbelievable and makes it all seem probable through the adrenaline-charged action. Also, the inclusion of the family drama cast against the backdrop of a disaster helped provide the film with the needed soul and a reason to care for the characters. The expectations were for this to be silly and unbelievable, but ultimately it turned out to be fun escapism. Within the escapism, the questions get back to the primal considerations of the human experience: survival, salvation, the end of the world and the bond of family. In a year of disaster and dystopian films, it is easy to consider the end of the world, but San Andreas goes a step further and provides a glimpse into our need for others and especially family. In an unbelievable manner, this story shows the lengths people will go to provide care and safety for their family. This small familial nugget provides the gem amongst the falling rocks of California. Leaving the cinema... Disaster films rank at the bottom of the list of my preferred genres. Why? Each film has to find different and bigger ways to destroy the world and in the end provides the same result. When it comes to San Andreas, it does not break new ground, but even though it was ridiculous, it was fun and provided an enjoyable cinematic esca
