2012 (2009)

After treating us to a showcase of our ancient past (10,000 BC (2008)), big disaster movie director Roland Emmerich brings us a vision of a possible short-term future with 2012.

Apparently, December 21, 2012 has major connotations for some people (do as the trailer suggests and google “2012″ to see). It’s supposed the “end” of the Mayan Calendar, and many believe will also be the end of civilization as we know it.

Gee, what a fun way to spend the summer – going to a big budget disaster movie that shows us what may happen in just 3 short years! Say what!

Like other predictions of the end of the world, this one may be totally bogus as well, but one has to wonder about irony if it isn’t. Do we want to look back and see we spent hard-earned money to see the end of the world as we know it when we could have just waited 3 short years to see it in person?

And then there’s Roland Emmerich. While he’s most known for the much-booed Godzilla (1998), he’s come through on disaster movies before (Independence Day for one) so 2012 should be decent, special effects-wise.

Plus, the cast looks promising, with John Cusack leading a lot of familiar faces, including Danny Glover, Thandie Newton and Woody Harrelson.

So, despite the dire predictions the movie is based on, 2012 may be able to reaffirm Emmerich as the disaster movie king, especially if Cusack and crew are able to act up to their usual.

So far, however, the oddest thing about this upcoming film is the teaser trailer. No big stars (despite the impressive cast list) – instead, the star of the trailer is water and a couple of nameless monks. Interesting – and somewhat depressing – way of giving viewers a peek at the upcoming film.

Anyway, despite some dire misgivings, chances are I’ll be checking this one out in theaters this summer, since, with so much potential, 2012 may be the must-see disaster film of the year, despite the few short years before we find out for ourselves if this is a glimpse of the future, or just another good yarn.

UPDATE: The film’s release date has been pushed back to November 13, 2009…and a new trailer with the expected stars and some VERY impressive special effects.