As a fan of disaster type films, I was really looking forward to "San Andreas" and the magnitude of destruction L.A. and San Francisco would receive. A precursor event a the Hoover Dam, followed by a 9.1 in Los Angeles and a monster 9.6 in the City by the Bay!! As usual we have the human drama family issues as a secondary tale, which in comparison to other movies of the genre, it was rather tame and low key, as compared to say, "Twister", which was horribly annoying to watch. In "Twister" the human divorce drama was too much at times and totally pointless. In "San Andreas" it's just about right.
As for the disaster sequences, I would have preferred more views from different parts of the city being destroyed, instead of just one general area where the family rescues were to take place. L.A. is a huge city and for the focus to remain just in one area is a shortcoming.
The San Francisco portion was more widespread, mainly from the Golden Gate to downtown, but that's it.
The CGI effects weren't much over the top and were the highlight in this film. You should not be disappointed at all.
Recommend the slower, but very impressive, non CGI effects in the 1974 film "Earthquake" with Charleston Heston and Ava Gardner, if you want more of a city-wide view of L.A. being destroyed by a major quake.
In the 1974 version, you have freeways bridges cracking, city blocks crumbling, LAX shaking, cows tumbling, cars getting crushed, elevators free falling, power line towers rocking, houses falling off stilts, mission bells shaking and the Capital Records building getting sheared.
Overall, I give "San Andreas" a 7/10, impressive effects and a good human story. Bring the popcorn and a tissue!!
As for the disaster sequences, I would have preferred more views from different parts of the city being destroyed, instead of just one general area where the family rescues were to take place. L.A. is a huge city and for the focus to remain just in one area is a shortcoming.
The San Francisco portion was more widespread, mainly from the Golden Gate to downtown, but that's it.
The CGI effects weren't much over the top and were the highlight in this film. You should not be disappointed at all.
Recommend the slower, but very impressive, non CGI effects in the 1974 film "Earthquake" with Charleston Heston and Ava Gardner, if you want more of a city-wide view of L.A. being destroyed by a major quake.
In the 1974 version, you have freeways bridges cracking, city blocks crumbling, LAX shaking, cows tumbling, cars getting crushed, elevators free falling, power line towers rocking, houses falling off stilts, mission bells shaking and the Capital Records building getting sheared.
Overall, I give "San Andreas" a 7/10, impressive effects and a good human story. Bring the popcorn and a tissue!!