What's plausible about this disaster movie is the science behind the reasons for it, with detailed – but quick – graphs and text/dialog that more or less make it seem all too probable. So, hats off to the author of the book and the researchers who put it all together in an understandable fashion.
What are also realistic are the attitudes by governments of some countries to Japan's plight as the situation worsens into a projected total catastrophe i.e. the probable complete sinking of the Japanese islands. Some countries are helpful; others prefer to do nothing. All too real, in my opinion.
What's not so plausible, though, is, first, the speed with which the scientist's manage to achieve their goals to save Japan; second, the degree of effort by rescue teams to dig out survivors, knowing that only more of the same is very soon inevitable; and finally, the actual process used to retrieve a special explosive device designed to help stop the sinking process. This last one is just pure fantasy, as you will see (that is, if you see this).
The production is okay, the CGI is adequate but not extraordinary, in my opinion; but the action drags because there is too much about personal stories that detract from the ongoing disaster. When you produce a monumental disaster movie, by golly you better make the action monumental. This one fails in that regard.
The acting is okay, the sub-titles are quite readable and the street mise-en-scene is suitably dramatic and destructive when the earthquakes/volcanoes/tsunamis arrive. Sadly, one is reminded of the destruction at the Fukushima nuclear site in March/April, 2011. On that point, it is noteworthy that, in this film, there is no mention of shutting down reactors prior to the disaster – an oversight the producers must now regret, for sure.
As a curiosity, it's worth seeing this flick. Give it a four out of ten.
June 24, 2012.
What are also realistic are the attitudes by governments of some countries to Japan's plight as the situation worsens into a projected total catastrophe i.e. the probable complete sinking of the Japanese islands. Some countries are helpful; others prefer to do nothing. All too real, in my opinion.
What's not so plausible, though, is, first, the speed with which the scientist's manage to achieve their goals to save Japan; second, the degree of effort by rescue teams to dig out survivors, knowing that only more of the same is very soon inevitable; and finally, the actual process used to retrieve a special explosive device designed to help stop the sinking process. This last one is just pure fantasy, as you will see (that is, if you see this).
The production is okay, the CGI is adequate but not extraordinary, in my opinion; but the action drags because there is too much about personal stories that detract from the ongoing disaster. When you produce a monumental disaster movie, by golly you better make the action monumental. This one fails in that regard.
The acting is okay, the sub-titles are quite readable and the street mise-en-scene is suitably dramatic and destructive when the earthquakes/volcanoes/tsunamis arrive. Sadly, one is reminded of the destruction at the Fukushima nuclear site in March/April, 2011. On that point, it is noteworthy that, in this film, there is no mention of shutting down reactors prior to the disaster – an oversight the producers must now regret, for sure.
As a curiosity, it's worth seeing this flick. Give it a four out of ten.
June 24, 2012.