The disaster movie of the 1970s hasn't gotten any better, just better looking.
Set during a record-breaking 9.6 magnitude earthquake along California's most infamous fault line, "San Andreas" is a triumph of CGI mayhem, as Los Angeles buildings topple like stacks of Jenga bricks, a tsunami threatens San Francisco Bay and a yawning chasm opens up in the earth between them, as if a zipper had been drawn through Bakersfield. It's viscerally thrilling to behold, especially in 3-D.
Scarier still is how stagnant the genre has gotten in every other aspect. The dialogue in "San Andreas" is lame, its plot both predictable and implausible, and the character development beside the point. Even Dwayne Johnson, that force of cinematic nature and rock-ribbed charisma, doesn't have enough charm to dig this mess of a movie out of the rubble of cliche it's buried in.
Johnson plays Ray, a hot-shot helicopter pilot with L.A. Fire and Rescue. Barely two minutes in, he and his cocky crew are introduced to us as they pluck a teenager from her car after it has gone off the road and is hanging from a cliff. The situation is dangerous, but the chopper crew's breezy banter in the face of death keeps things light.
This is one of the most annoying things about "San Andreas." The dialogue is inappropriately jocular throughout, which undercuts the genuine terror it attempts to muster. After the quake starts and Ray has deposited his estranged wife, Emma (Carla Gugino), in the middle of Dodger Stadium via parachute, he turns to her and cracks wise: "It's been a while since I got you to second base."
This, as human beings all around them are being pancaked by chunks of falling masonry the size of train cars.
One human being you might not mind seeing flattened is Emma's new boyfriend, Daniel (Ioan Gruffudd). The film's stock villain, Daniel is a heartless developer who turns tail and runs as soon as the ground starts trembling, leaving Ray and Emma's daughter, Blake (Alexandra Daddario), trapped under a cement beam in the parking garage beneath one of his buildings.
Thankfully, Blake is ministered to by a cute Brit named Ben (Hugo Johnstone-Burt) and his little brother, Ollie (Art Parkinson). These characters, along with Paul Giamatti's Chicken Little-like seismologist, get introduced one by one during a formulaic prologue — as they always do in such things — and before the film starts shaking them up. After that, it matters little who they are or what their backstories or agendas may be. There's plenty of downtime for Ray and Emma to talk about what went wrong with their marriage as they search for Blake — who by this point is imperiled by some other nightmare — but no one really cares.
Ooh, look at the Golden Gate Bridge get smashed!
In plot, "San Andreas" parallels the climate-change thriller "The Day After Tomorrow," in which Dennis Quaid's climatologist hero trudged, preposterously, from D.C. to New York in a blizzard to rescue his son (Jake Gyllenhaal). Here, Ray travels from Los Angeles to San Francisco — by chopper, car, plane and boat — to save Blake.
Never mind that he doesn't know where she is, in a city of more than 800,000, and with only 47 square miles to cover before the movie ends.
As Ben says to Blake, just before smooching her in gratitude for pulling a shard of broken glass from his thigh, "You're absolutely unbelievable."
The Washington Post
Thu May 28 2015
Review: In plot, "San Andreas" parallels the climate-change thriller "The Day After Tomorrow".
Who is Prabowo Subianto, incoming president of Indonesia?
A wealthy ex-general with ties to Indonesia's popular outgoing president and its dictatorial past, looks set to be its next leader.
Iran's supreme leader says Hamas leader's death will not halt 'Axis of Resistance'
The "Axis of Resistance", built up with years of Iranian support, includes Hamas, the Lebanese Hezbollah group, the Houthi movement in Yemen, and various Shi'ite groups in Iraq and Syria.
Putin says Russia willing to seek compromises between Iran and Israel
Russia is ready to help seek compromises between arch-foes Israel and Iran, President Vladimir Putin said on Friday, saying these would be difficult but possible.
What proposals will Russia push at the BRICS summit?
The proposal is also to establish a BRICS reinsurance company to allow uninterrupted shipment of goods and key commodities between members.
Indonesia's free meals plan in the spotlight as Prabowo readies for office
Prabowo calls the programme one of the main drivers of economic growth, eventually set to add an estimated 2.5 million jobs.
Astro AWANI's revamped English news website, AWANI International, launches on Oct 21
Astro AWANI's revamped English platform delivers in-depth global news and expert analysis to keep you informed on key developments.
Israeli strikes kill 33 people in Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, medics say
Residents of Jabalia said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp after pushing through suburbs and residential districts.
Liam Payne's ex-partner calls for media restraint after 'painful' death
Cheryl Tweedy used her statement to urge the media to remember they had a seven-year-old son, Bear, who could read the reports.
Analysts: Indonesia's strong MoF leadership team to boost investor confidence
Sri Mulyani Indrawati as head of Indonesia's Ministry of Finance is expected to instil confidence among investors.
Biden offers both a carrot and a stick to Israel as his term nears an end
Israel has frequently resisted US advice and has caused political difficulties for the Biden administration.
Putin says BRICS will generate most of global economic growth
Russian President Vladimir Putin will host a summit of the group in the city of Kazan on Oct. 22-24.
ISIS Malaysia's perspective of Budget 2025
An excellent rakyat-centric budget under the overarching principle of a caring and humane economy.
Budget 2025: Record increase in STR, SARA aid initiatives
The government will provide a significant boost to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiatives next year.
Budget 2025: EPF contributions to be made mandatory for foreign workers – PM Anwar
The government plans to make it compulsory for all non-citizen workers to contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
What policies to expect from Indonesia's new President Prabowo
Prabowo will be open to foreign investment, his aide has said, such as by offering investors management of airports and sea ports.
Budget 2025: Govt allocates RM470 mil to empower women's participation in PMKS
The Women's Leadership Apprenticeship Program will be intensified as an effort to produce more female corporate personalities.
Israel sends more troops into north Gaza, deepens raid
Residents of Jabalia in northern Gaza said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp, using heavy air and ground fire.
Indonesia ramps up security ahead of Prabowo's inauguration
Prabowo Subianto will be sworn in as Indonesia's president on Sunday with Vice President-elect, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, also taking office.
Immediate allocation of RM150 mil for local authorities, DID to tackle flash floods
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this allocation is intended to address the recent flash floods that hit the capital and several major towns.
Budget 2025: Sabah, Sarawak to continue receiving among highest allocations - PM
Sabah and Sarawak continues to be prioritised under Budget 2025, with allocations of RM6.7 billion and RM5.9 billion respectively.