96. Regular Review of the Film "2012"

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In fairness, I'm going to give the movie "2012" first a regular review, and then a biblical review. (Biblical review still to come, as of Jan 4, 2011)

HERE IS THE REGULAR REVIEW:

In one word, "Exciting!". I spent a lot of time on the edge of my seat, hoping that our 'heroes' would somehow make it out alive (I avoided reviews, so I had no idea how it would turn out). The edge of my seat was my computer chair, watching it on my Dell in peace and quiet.

In two words, "Special Effects". As the credits rolled (and rolled and rolled for 6 minutes), I noticed that there were at least eight special effects and graphics companies used, and I said to myself, "no wonder the special effects were so spectacular, and so real (with very few exceptions)". I might watch it again on the big TV where I can do slow-motion and freeze frames, just to analyze the special FX.

In three words, "Better than expected". I knew the general idea of the plot, but I had particularly stayed away from reviews that revealed the ending. Now, looking back, the reviews were not very good. For example, on IMDb the Internet Movie Database, 64,000 viewers voted, and gave it a 6 .0 out of 10.0. I think some people (many?) downgraded the movie based on expectations --they expected a 6.0 and gave it exactly that. The Rotten Tomatoes site was not even that kind. The professional reviewers surveyed gave it a 40 out of 100. Oh, well, to me it was maybe an 8.0 out of 10.0. (Okay, maybe just a 7.5 due to the 'cheese' factor)

In four words, "Hokey, corny, cheesy, predictable". These four words, in general, are the essence of the reviewer's comments. Maybe I was so blown-away by the special effects, I didn't notice the Foul Four descriptions. Well, yes, from time to time I did notice them. But there was one thing that should have been predictable that I missed, and therefore which made the last 20 minutes especially entertaining to me. Am I telling? No, since maybe someone hasn't seen the movie that still wants to. (Now out on DVD)

In five words, "Next Post: the Biblical Review"
What about the Mayan calendar? Was the film too 'new-age'? How does Christianity fit in? Are the 2012 end-time portrayals similar or at variance from generally accepted biblical views? Will it convince and lead people away from the Christian position? Or TO more accurate information? Posted soon.
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