​FILMS

san andreas

2015 review number 75:

San Andreas: (Action/Drama): 68 out of 100: If you enjoy disaster films then you'll appreciate the mayhem and catastrophe dished up on screen. The plot and characters play second fiddle to the CGI effects extravaganza. You're not here to see the movie for its dialogue either as it's a bit cheesy at times. Let's face it, you're here to see what will happen to California when the big one strikes.

 

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson plays rescue chopper pilot Ray, who has just been served his divorce papers by Emma (Carla Gugino). They are still reeling from the death of one of their daughters. Their other daughter is Blake (Alexandra Daddario), who accompanies his mother's new boyfriend, Daniel Riddick (Ioan Gruffudd) to San Francisco where he has a business meeting. In the meantime, a seismologist professor (Paul Giamatti) has all the technology at his disposal and warns the residents of San Francisco to flee or take cover immediately due to the impending earthquake. When the earthquake hits, Ray and Emma travel by helicopter, plane, car and boat to rescue their daughter.

 

Although the science actually gets it right with how the San Andreas fault can destroy the west coast of America, the plot coincidences and rescue efforts require a huge suspension of disbelief. Not for one second will you believe that amongst all that devastation, the main characters can find each other and get themselves out of trouble. Putting that aside, you should be entertained by everything else although some of the dialogue, excluding the scientific explanations, could have been written by children.

 

The action heats up from the very beginning with a helicopter rescue that introduces the audience to the protagonist, Ray. Although a stunning sequence, it isn't really necessary. We are then witness to some family talks which begin the characterisation process but they're rather two-dimensional characters. We're then off to San Francisco where girl meets boy. Enough already! Let's cut to the chase and get on with the earthquake. Like many disaster films, plot and characterisation play a secondary role to the disaster scenes. "San Andreas" sticks to the formula.

 

Johnson is such a likeable actor even if he isn't the best going around. It's Giamatti who provides the dramatic impetus. You can believe every word that he says as the seismology professor. Gugino and Daddario are credible without being outstanding. Anyway, this is not a film that should focus on acting as it's all about the effects. You have to see this on the big screen to gain maximum value from the impressive visual and sound effects. Most of the scenes were shot in Queensland, Australia and it's amazing how everything looks like it was filmed in the US. That's what a budget of $100 million can do! What a shame then that some of the money wasn't spent on characterisation, plot and dialogue.

 

Special effects and exciting action scenes vs characters, story and screenplay. It's rare to scoop the pool in a disaster film so in that regard, "San Andreas" doesn't disappoint. Suspend disbelief and enjoy the spectacle of a catastrophe of epic proportions.

 

Starring Dwayne Johnson, Carla Gugino, Alexandra Daddario and Paul Giamatti

(114 minutes)

Parental advice: Disaster themes and coarse language

Additional scene during or after credits: No

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23VflsU3kZE (Movie trailer)

(Reviewed on Friday 29th May, 2015)

 

For my latest reviews, go to this link: http://mlaimlai2.wix.com/magical-movie-review