2012 the movie

[David Mullen ASC]

This type of movie reminds me of that famous quote by Abraham Lincoln when he reviewed a book: "People who like this sort of thing will find this the sort of thing they like."

Except I take it that some people who like this sort of thing didn't like this particular thing...

Genre writing doesn't necessarily have to be lacking in artistry, wit, characterizations, etc. The intent may be merely to entertain, but even that requires some skill, and a story and characters that will involve the viewer emotionally. Sheer spectacle alone is generally not enough to sustain interest for a feature-length movie -- as Kurosawa once said, a movie has to be more than just a series of climaxes.

 

[Danish P.V.]

Ok. Emmerich`s, as well as Michael Bay`s etc. expectations are low, they want to recoup the expenses at the boxoffice and/or rentals etc. - it`s the quick buck they`re after - I kinda compare it to cheap goods: looks nice on the outside but lacks quality on the inside.

Directors like this don`t care if their movies end up being shown in the afternoon on some little cable station 5 years from now, in contrast to films like Terminator 2, Alien, Shining etc. which, after several decades still get sold as DVDs with a nice margin and not as 3 buck flicks in the junk bin.
I mean, who`s gonna remember Godzilla or Armageddon in ten years? (Yes, of course those few guys who defend them like it`s their soul that`s in danger)

 

[Craig W. Bickerstaff]

I mean, who`s gonna remember Godzilla or Armageddon in ten years? (Yes, of course those few guys who defend them like it`s their soul that`s in danger)

Both of those movie came out over 10 years ago, if you remember them today chances are you will remember them 10 years from now, but this goes for all movies not just the crap films.
I will talk to my non film friends and sometimes they won't know ANY of the classics. Just remember that as you say this many of the films we consider great now were slammed on their releases, remember what francis ford coppola said about films and aging?

 

[Danish P.V.]

Both of those movie came out over 10 years ago, if you remember them today chances are you will remember them 10 years from now.

I meant in a figurative sense (I saw both flicks back in the dumb teenage times in the theatre ;-).

You`re right, the classics aren`t readily remembered, but as soon as you take a closer look you probably won`t miss those movies that set new milestones in filmmaking. I bet those crappy (but still classic!) Godzilla movies from Japan will "last" longer than that miserable POS from Emmerich.

 

[Bérenger Brillante]

I mean, who`s gonna remember Godzilla or Armageddon in ten years? (Yes, of course those few guys who defend them like it`s their soul that`s in danger)

They will be remembered as popcorn movies ?

Not every movies and filmmakers want to change the course of cinema history... Sometimes a poor story with a good filmmaking is enough...

I personnaly love this kind of movie. I want to see them on the opening, or on a saturday evening, with popcorn and screaming. I want to be able to laugh because it's lame (but good...and still lame, love it), and talk to my girl-friend while the main character is being killed...
Nobody cares, these are movies made of popcorn. If I can't do all of this, I prefer not seeing them...

And it's another day for drama and art, usually in a bit more silent room... To me, it's a matter of taste, but mostly mood (and not only personal mood, the theater's mood).

I bet those crappy (but still classic!) Godzilla movies from Japan will "last" longer than that miserable POS from Emmerich.

Totally agree though

 

[Truls Skare]

I personnaly love this kind of movie. I want to see them on the opening, or on a saturday evening, with popcorn and screaming. I want to be able to laugh because it's lame (but good...and still lame, love it), and talk to my girl-friend while the main character is being killed...

Why are you watching a movie if you want to talk? Talkers are one of the most annoying distractions at the cinema..

 

[Bérenger Brillante]

I meant talk like "oh look at that nice monster, cool teeth !", not having a chat.

and talk, because my voice is drowned between explosions, screaming and sometimes naked babes...

That's the point of this kind of movie on a premiere or saturday night. If you can't accept it, go see them two weeks after the release.

I remember "Rocky Balboa" 2 years ago, on the opening. When Sly first appear, it was so damn good in the theater. Everyobdy were shouting his name... like in an actual boxing contest. Of course we missed 30 sec of the movie, but it was good, and now it's a nice souvenir.

Godzilla, Armaggedon, The day after tomorrow, 2010, 10000, they are made for this, you missed 10 second, don't worry there is no screenplay, you missed nothing, oh an explosion !

 

[Hrvoje Simic]

Covering this topic in a film carries "a bit" more weight and responsibility to the world audience than one night amusement.


Danny Boyle would know how to do this the right way.

 

[Harva Raj]

Covering this topic in a film carries "a bit" more weight and responsibility to the world audience than one night amusement.


Danny Boyle would know how to do this the right way.

This film did push some boundaries in its script and characters. Most of the Hollywood disaster film usually based around america generally and NYC specifically. But this film starts in India, revolves around California and ends in China. Most disaster movie only includes the american president making decision but in this movie, we have France, Italy and some other world leaders making decision and moving the plot. In some way, disaster movies are now being truly 'international'. You can't do that in a cowboy movie!

 

[Lucas Wilson]

I haven't seen the movie yet, but I probably will as many of my friends worked on the VFX.

But... I'll go see it because I am expecting bad dialogue, unrealistic heroes and big-ass explosions, i.e.: a Michael Bay movie. I'm not expecting a work of art - I'm expecting explosions and cheese.

You can call it the "studio whore" system. That "studio whore" movie put food on the table for many of my friends' families.

What exactly is a "studio whore" movie anyway? One that makes money? Michael Bay makes the kinds of movies Michael Bay wants to make. How exactly does that make him any different from any other Director?

Lucas

 

[Neil Larson]

The sequence where the water flows into the Arc was shot on some cheep video; it felt like HV20 or something...

Yeah! I was like "What the hell?" Looked terrible, it was so distracting. Why do you think they did that? Maybe because they didn't want to get the nicer cameras wet, so they just used their cell phones.

 

[albert rudnicki]

I dunno it was a creative choice.
It more seamed like a b cam situation or the only available splash bag was AC's zip-bag left from his lunch

(edit: I should rewrite this sentence

 

[M Most]

Yeah! I was like "What the hell?" Looked terrible, it was so distracting. Why do you think they did that? Maybe because they didn't want to get the nicer cameras wet, so they just used their cell phones.

Apparently it wasn't distracting enough to prevent the picture from grossing over $225 million worldwide in 3 days.

 

[Jon B.]

Apparently it wasn't distracting enough to prevent the picture from grossing over $225 million worldwide in 3 days.

If it don't make dollars, it don't make sense.

 

[Tim Whitcomb]

I thought it was hilarious. one of the funniest movies of the year. super cheesy dialogue
EDIT: "that;s a suicide mission sir" for example
super fun end of the world FX, but the most hilarious scene was the air traffic controller inexplicably deciding to spend the last moments of his life... destruction all around him, trying to stop a plane from taking off... "stop, its not clear, stop!" too funny!

 

[Joe G.]

Pass. No desire to see this crap at all. The endless repetition of the commercial, all over the internet, has made me despise the people behind it.

As for the "F--- U" guy, right back at ya.

 

[Lucas Wilson]

<Moderator Hat On>

With the "F--- You" quotes - everybody play nice... no place for that here.

</Moderator Hat Off>

 

[Danish P.V.]

You can call it the "studio whore" system. That "studio whore" movie put food on the table for many of my friends' families.

And in a couple of years that food`s gonna end on some indian or chinese artists tables... I fear this is not the base to discuss movies.

 

[Pietro Impagliazzo]

What exactly is a "studio whore" movie anyway? One that makes money? Michael Bay makes the kinds of movies Michael Bay wants to make. How exactly does that make him any different from any other Director?

Actually the BIG money you're friend won't see anyway.

Only the distributor and investors, and they'll only make it because of mass marketing.

Don't get me wrong, I love action films and vfx filled pieces, all of existing techniques are there to enhance the cinematic experience.

But we should not forget about the importance of story.

I'd love if the dramatic conflicts and character background were great on Michael Bay movies. That would make the chases and explosions and what not much more fun, because I'd really care about the guy almost blowing to pieces.

 

[Gavin Greenwalt]

I haven't seen the movie yet, but I probably will as many of my friends worked on the VFX.

But... I'll go see it because I am expecting bad dialogue, unrealistic heroes and big-ass explosions, i.e.: a Michael Bay movie. I'm not expecting a work of art - I'm expecting explosions and cheese.

Lucas

Explosions and cheese are both artforms.