  
2012MPAA Rating:
 for intense disaster sequences and some language.Reviewed by: Sheri McMurray Average
Moviemaking Quality:
Primary Audience:
Adults, Teens, Family
Genre:
Sci-Fi, Action, Thriller, Fantasy, Drama
Length:
2 hr. 38 min.
Year of Release:
2009
USA Release:
November 13, 2009 (wide—3,000+ theaters)
  
Relevant Issues
FEAR, anxiety and worry—What does the Bible say? Answer Prophecy
PROPHECY—Is there valid prophetic evidence that the Bible is God’s Word? Answer FALSE PROPHETS—Nostradamus, did he predict the bombing of the Twin Towers in New York? Answer Divine judgment
Death in the Bible Noah's Ark
Did Noah take dinosaurs on the Ark? Answer Has anyone discovered Noah's Ark? Answer Read our illustrated story of Noah and the Ark - GO… Learn much more about Noah's Ark and the Flood, in our special section on the Flood - GO… God and His plan
What will the biblical Millennium be like? Answer How can we know there’s a God? Answer What if the cosmos is all that there is? Answer
Why does God allow innocent people to suffer? Answer What about the issue of suffering? Doesn't this prove that there is no God and that we are on our own? Answer ORIGIN OF BAD—How did bad things come about? Answer Miscellaneous
“We were warned!” I must admit, I have had a time figuring out which ‘angle' to take concerning this review. Do I attack it from the point of view that “2012” has caused a renewed belief and subsequent panic over human life as we know it ceasing to exist on December 12, 2012. Should I spend paragraphs disputing that view and state the fact it just is not true and that the Mayan calendar never did predict the now much touted end of the world? The Mayan calendar, although exact in its calculations for a civilization of its time did not predict the end of the world. In fact, the Maya themselves did not equate the date with the end of the world, and in their writings predicted events they said would take place long after it. Should I instead report what a stunning CGI visual effects movie this is and how rip-roaring fun it is to sit in your seat and feel as though you’re on the most epic thrill ride ever? That the acting is top notch and that all 2 hours and 38 minutes of it were never boring, and even, although at times frightening, fun to watch. Shall I tell you the truth of the matter which is that “2012,” a film by serial-doomsayer/director Roland Emmerich who previously assaulted Earth with aliens in “Independence Day” and global warming in “The Day After Tomorrow,” has admitted that he originally intended “2012” to be a take on every disaster movie of the past 40 years. So, “2012” started out as an idea for a parody in the mind of Mr. Emmerich and is although at times dramatic and sincere in its delivery, a product of one man’s very creative imagination, and never intended to be taken literally. “We're pattern-seeking primates,” says science historian Michael Shermer, founder of the Skeptics Society.
What about the real scientific angle? NASA has even found it necessary to post a notice on their site because of the amount of questions posed from concerned people the world over. NASA expert Dr. James Garvin says,
Since I am a Christian and have tried my best to catch the Christian aspect concerning the subject matter of this film, I must relate the very real message, and that is there will be an end to our world and to humankind as we know it because God says it is so. Jesus Christ will return to call his people home before the beginning of a period of turmoil on Earth called the Tribulation. Believers will rise into the sky in a phenomenon known as the Rapture. At an online Rapture Index, Terry James tracks world events for signs that the end is nigh. He says the site gets 13 million hits per month, a number that he expects will grow with interest about the movie “2012.” As a Christian, he doesn't hold with Mayan prophecy. But he says the current fascination may be serving God's purpose.
As action movies go, “2012” delivers 100 per cent, but as a real account of what is to be, it’s a brilliant piece of fluff. If you want the real goods folks, go to your Bible. Within its pages (the complete book of Revelation as well as much of Daniel) is the true and terrifying factual accounting of where we are headed and the times of the end. The film is focused in on the ‘man saves man’ theme, when in all truth the real deal is ‘God saves man.’ In the movie “2012” main character Jackson Curtis (John Cusack), a writer and divorced father of two, is thrust into the overwhelming responsibility of not only keeping his ex-wife (Amanda Peet), children and friends from harm, but finding his own life’s worth under the weight of devastating uncontrollable natural disasters. President Thomas Wilson (Danny Glover) and his daughter Laura (Thandie Newton) shoulder the emotional pressure of caring for a nation of people who have little or no hope of survival. While, at the same time, it is the determined responsibility of White House Chief of Staff Carl Anheuser (Oliver Platt) to make certain only the elite of the human race survive, at any cost. Presidential scientific advisor Adrian Helmsley (Chiwetel Ejiofor) struggles to fight for the lives of all human kind to survive, no matter how unworthy they are considered to be by a dogged and unfeeling government. We follow all of these characters starting out in unrelated points of the story until they converge in the climactic closing scenes to mesh together and save the survivors of the human race as we know it. The message is, for the most part, humankind does not cause the fate of the human race, but that it is a complex set of natural disasters that we cannot and never will be able to control. Global warming or the aspect of a random meteor hurtling towards Earth is never mentioned. Instead, “2012” deals with how we deal with the events, and, as human beings, how we survive them, as its focus. What would you do? Who would you call, what would you say to your loved ones, if, in fact, you were certain the end was near? Not wanting to post any spoilers, I will keep the basic story description at a minimum and ask you to prayerfully buy your ticket and not take it seriously, as this is a movie perhaps inspired by a frenzy of end times predictions, but never to be considered factual. I leave you to the Word of God for the facts. “2012” is rated PG-13, and I believe that to be accurate. No child under 13 should go if they are unable to distinguish between reality and movie magic. Although not much blood is shown, there are extremely real and terrifying images of cataclysmic disaster and devastation. No humans are ever shown up close being pulverized or crushed, except for a closing scene where a character’s foot is being crushed in a hydraulic wheel. As this is a disaster movie, there is no doubting millions of human beings are being killed on a massive scale—with natural disasters such as earthquakes, tidal waves and tsunamis as well as fire-breathing volcanic eruptions. The images can be overpowering at times, even for adults, so I cannot stress enough that parents use extreme caution when considering taking young children to see this film. There are various profanities in this film—G_damn (6), misuses of “God” (about 14), “Jesus” or “Christ” (3), hell (11), sh_t (6), ass (2), f-word (1). The ‘finger’ is given to one character from another. Although no sex is shown, it is referred that one character has a mistress and that the main character is divorced and his ex-wife is living with another man. In the end, the main character reconciles with his ex-wife and the family is shown in a loving way and is re-united. There is a definite struggle between what is right and what is wrong, as far as the way we treat one another as human beings. There is a decision that the writers want you to make within your own mind and heart. The final conclusion we are to come to—do the strong and rich survive or do we embrace all peoples of all walks of life, of all faiths, and save every last man, woman and child no matter what the cost? Are saving material things more important than the rescue of all human life? Do we, in the end, embrace every human life as apposed to rescuing only those whom we consider the intelligent elite of the species? The character of the scientist asks the leaders of the world to consider their selfish acts in regards to their new beginning. He states, “Lets not start our future by an act of cruelty,” as the leaders of Earth in their zeal to protect only the intelligent and rich to propagate the species, are blinded to the fact they are leaving behind thousands of innocent people. I was very pleased by the fact that, although in the beginning a hint was made that Christians who foretold of apocalyptic end times prophecies were not to be taken seriously, it was evident in the end that we were right after all. I was impressed that ethics and Christian-type values were dealt with in a respectful manner in the end. The gospel of the Lord Jesus was referred to as stated that those who are saved “have nothing to fear.” Another character says “Make your peace with God first, then your soul will have its rest.” A man was shown telling another not to loose his faith. People were reported to be in desperate prayer. There were many scenes of people gathered together in prayer and in churches. The President of the United States was shown giving a final statement to his people and the world, where he recited the 23rd Psalm. He, also, was shown praying in the chapel before he went out to stand with the people of the United States and aid them in their despair. He stated he would “…stay behind and trust Jesus in prayer with the people.” As the story deals with all peoples all over the world, it is expected that all faiths are shown, as the peoples of Earth deal with their eminent demise under many different religions. I believe it is done tastefully and no one religion is being pushed upon the audience as the best. On the other hand, being a Christian, I was very disappointed that in the end, after so many encouraging comments about God that He was not depicted as the final strength for humankind, but instead man was shown as the saver of his own soul. One of the final scenes showed a depiction of the Sistine Chapel and a crack going down the painting by Michelangelo splitting the fingers of Adam touching that of God’s. To me, at least, it sent the message that God was not there, and I believe just the opposite, that our God is the crafter of the beginning of humankind and, also, will be there at the end of all he has created. Also, the hint was that scientific means will eventually save mankind from extinction, when it is clearly stated in Scripture that God is in control of all events and that man can and will never be in control over his destiny. These two messages clearly send a false hope to any non-believer watching this film and who takes it seriously. “2012,” also, shows that man will know the time of the end and will deal with it using his military, constructural, governmental and intellectual strength to save himself. Jesus has already told us that no man, not even the Son, knows the time or day of the end. Instead, Jesus instructs us to take note of the signs of the end and to do that which is right to save our immortal souls. Jesus did not tell us to watch the Mayan calendar, He instead reminds us to be always looking up and to Believe in the Son, John 3:16. He tells us that as little children are, so must we be, in order to enter the Kingdom. This may sound trivial or too simplistic a concept, but if one thinks about it, children have no pre-conceived ideas about others. They see no race or age, no intelligence or power in another person, no want, as apposed to material wealth. A child sees you for who you are, and Jesus urges us to be the same, for this is where all love has its beginnings. This is where man started, and this is where he’ll end up in Heaven at the end of days. ChristianAnswers DVDsOk, looks like I have wound up stating what needs to be said about “2012.” I have found my angle, after all. It is no matter what calendar or new world prophecy dictates, we all are to trust in His Word over the end of days and take comfort in the fact God has our times, beginnings and endings, in His benevolent Hands. Therefore, go into this film with your eyes open, your Christian knowledge intact, and your mind fixed upon the things stated as fact in The unquestionable Word of God. There are many Scriptures about the end times signs and how we are to respond to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Word equates Christ to a groom coming for the Bride, which is symbolic of the church. As a bride awaiting the wedding day, so we should wait with great anticipation, watching for any indication that the time is near. Because we have been given many signs, Christ fully intended for us to be alert and aware for many different reasons.
We are to be looking forward to the promise of a new heaven and Earth and not enjoying the empty material pleasures of this Earth.
Knowing that the end of time draws near should also serve to remind us to live a holy life, knowing that at any moment we will meet or precious Savior, face to face. Violence: Heavy / Profanity: Heavy / Sex/Nudity: Minor See list of Relevant Issues—questions-and-answers.   Comments below:
Positive
Positive - “2012” is pure popcorn fare. The CG is phenomenal while the story is average, and the science is half pseudo intrigue. While the film does adheres to one particular Mayan Calendar, as a follower of Jesus and reading of the Bible, God had specifically stated that the world will not be flooded again but with fire. Over all, “2012” delivers a fun and visually gratifying destructive forces all around the world, mostly in California, the theme about saving not only oneself for the goodness of all mankind, but to save as many as possible is like the cliché that a beauty pageant contestant wants world peace. Positive - I took my 9½ year old son, we have seen all the disaster films “all,” repeat… ALL. and he is well are of the difference between real and film. We both appreciate great action/thriller and superb CGI. (We were watching Jurassic Park together when he was 3). This film was better than average, even “GOOD,” maybe even “GREAT”! I love the action, the suspense and the cliff-hangers. Yes, there was a few instances of using the Lord Jesus name in vain, what PG13 hasn't done this, it only reinforces the power in His name that Hollywood HAS TO cast this into the script “everytime”! The presz does kneel in prayer in church, and does recite the 23 Psalm (cut-off by lost TV reception) and there are numerous reflections on faith, on human compassion and the “true meaning” of life. All in all, I have to say… films are suppose to be made to entertain, this film delivers… big time. Like a ride at Disneyland at times, thrilling, intense and fun! Only take kids with a full understanding of “fiction in film making,” it it is intense! Most adults should get a real kick out of this, really! Positive - This was a very intensified movie! The special effects were great! I really enjoyed the movie! There was cussing throughout the movie. NOT a movie for children! However, I question how Hollywood came up with the idea for the ending (unless they are just running out of ideas for movies)? ***BEGIN SPOILER*** The movie is basically a 21st century Noah's Ark story. I thought that was very interesting. Nevertheless, it was good! ***END OF SPOILER*** Positive - In viewing the thoroughly entertaining film 2012 several themes emerged which are worth considering. One major theme is the way those with power (White House Chief of Staff portrayed by Oliver Platt) along with the heads of state of many (mostly European) nations selected who was to be saved from the coming destruction of the earth, and how their human plan did not exactly work out. They thought they had the best plan and even some were assassinated for not keeping this plan a secret, but in the characters of John Cusack and his family we saw that others were, through many apparently chance events, selected to be a part of the group who would survive and repopulate the new earth once the devastation subsided. Neutral
Neutral - Hello fellow film viewers, I saw “2012” opening night and was excited to see the special effects from the previews. First things first, there was crying children in the theatre which leads me to say, that the theme of this film may be too strong for children (parents should explain the truth behind the end of the world, and that God is in control of what is to come) that being said; for teens and adults this movie is ok. (Keep in mind some strong language is used, no sexual scenes.) Neutral - The movie was just that, A MOVIE!! It was very entertaining if you think you are watching those 70s disaster films such as TOWERING INFERNO, EARTHWAKE and POSEIDON`S ADVENTURE all directed by Irwin Allen, some people complain toward the foul language or that is “not scriptural”, I will not enter into that particular discussion, you are in your own decision to avoid it or just simply watch it. Neutral - The main problem I had with this film was the irreverence that particular characters had in the face of their likely demise. I can't really fault this though since Revelation states that in the last days people will react similarly. There was a lot of good in the film, particularly the end. I found myself thinking, “The human race does not deserve to survive if it will cast away their less fortunate neighbors to save the elite and influenital of the species!” Neutral - This movie was not easy to write a comment on. However, this movie was certainly interesting to watch. The CGI graphics were unbelievable! I went with a Christian group on my campus to see this, and there were scenes where I just said, “Wow!”. Now granted, you cannot just base a movie on graphics. The plot itself, as the group and I agreed, was a little too thin and not fully developed. The language was uncalled for. I heard the “f” bomb, sh*t, you name it, it was there. Other questionable content was people being wiped out (I expected it in a disaster movie), even one scene where a man lost his leg. Negative
Negative - The movie “2012” is definitely not for children. This movie blasphemes the Lord's name numerous times and uses foul language. This movie promotes belief of man's determination of when the end will come versus what the Lord said. Only God the Father knows when the world will end and no one else. Yes, the computer graphics were good but certainly a waste of time and money. There were no comments on this movie prior to my seeing it, and I made it my objective to provide comments to warn christians of this offensive move. If any good thing would come out, I pray many will seek the truth and turn to Jesus Christ as their savior and find out what life is all about. Definitely not for weak christians and not for anyone under 18 years of age. This movie will deceive many that are weak in the word of the Lord. Negative - I have to admit, I really wanted to see this movie. Although I am a strong christian, I find all of the 2012 research interesting. I also have to admit that this was one of the worst movies I have seen in a long time. The story was weak, the acting only so-so, and everything that happened was cliche. Except for the special effects, which were pretty awesome, this movie had very little redeeming value. It was also just another example of Hollywood thinking that all we do is walk around and cuss at each other. The Lord's name was taken in vain 5 times in the movie, which makes it unacceptable. I just don't understand why hollywood and moviegoers seem to think that is OK. I mean, they are only breaking one of the 10, right? But, until Christians stand up and say enough, they will continue to erode our beliefs. Again, I would rate this movie an overall D-. Comments from young people
Neutral - I was soooo excited to see this movie, and I went to see it with my parents and little brother, and I was kinda disappointed with it. within maybe the first half hour/ hour or so, when during the first major earthquake, as jackson is trying to get his family in the car the f- bomb is dropped. that did take me by surprise. then he uses the g** d*** word about 6 times throughout the movie. I had asked my parents if we could leave, but we didn't which wasn't so bad because they seem to calm down with the language somewhat. and also in the beginning the ex-wife's boyfriend makes some comments like “let's make a baby” and “women pay me thousands of dollars to handle their boobs but you get it for free” which where comments not needed for shopping in the supermarket. for me it was a love- hate movie, some parts I liked and others (such as taking Gods name in vain) not so much. but if you like somewhat cheesy disaster movies then you'll love this movie (its like they took like 5 or 6 disaster films and combined them). Positive - While “2012” is DEFINITELY not a movie for children (as all sensible adults should know from the “PG-13” rating), the film-making quality is high. There are several laughable scenes, and the action is stimulating. This is, however, a very standard disaster movie. It's important to remember while watching this movie that God will never again flood the earth. (Read your Bibles) The entertainment and moral values were quite high, by today's standards. I highly recommend this movie, within reason. Positive - This movie is awesome!!!… It had a few swear words, but I could hardly hear them. “2012” is a movie for about my age and up. It was very intense and not for small children, but it is great for older children. It was partly about people saving others with their own lives at risk. WATCH THIS MOVIE. Comments from non-viewers
I heard from a very very reliable source that this movie is horrible. There's a lot of cursing (by the way… When I say a lot, this is what I mean: 1 F-word, 1 obscene hand gesture, 6 scatological terms, 3 anatomical terms, 14 mild obscenities, two different instances have male adults pantomiming curse words, 7 religious profanities, and 13 religious exclamations (these have been from kidsinmind.com) [Whew!] I did watch a trailer and it looked great. But that's before I found out about the cursing. Please, for you, for me, and most importantly for God, don't watch this movie. The Bible says “don't set any unclean thing before your eyes” (paraphrased!). It really disappointed me that I told a friend of mine that there was a lot of cursing in it, but yet they still went. As Christians, it's almost like we've grown to these kinds of movies. When we were kids, and we heard a curse word, we cringed. But now, what do we do? We just sit there. We hopefully pick it up, but we still just sit there. We don't turn the movie off, or run out of the theatre. So, the next time you sit down to watch a movie on your sofa, or picking out a DVD at the rental store, or going to the ticket counter to see the next “big” thing, think and ask yourself… Would Jesus watch this? It’s a sad day when Christians say a movie is excellent that blasphemes God, or would even go to see it. People should start boycotting these movies and demanding that Hollywood put stricter ratings on them for blaspheming and calling it a blasphemy rating. I praise you Elizabeth for standing up for God and not seeing this movie, may God bless you greatly. I will take a stand and not see it as well. This movie should remind Christians that God is coming soon, will you stand before him ashamed that you did not take a stand. Satan is a liar and counterfeiter in every way. In the review Terry James of Rapture Index was quoted as stating, “Therefore, it plays into God's hands, the way I look at it.” I would like to believe that. However I see a movie like this playing into the devil's hands. Satan, knowing that God desired relationship with mankind created all kinds of religions to confuse the minds of men. At times when a Christian tries to share the gospel they are mistaken for a Jehovah's Witness or some other member of a cult. Satan uses these religions to confuse the unsaved when a true believer encounters them. In the same way I believe he will use this movie. I have already seen it happen. Start talking to the unsaved about the end times and the return of Jesus Christ and they might confuse what you are talking about with the things that are being taught through this secular movie. |
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