The Mayan calendar ends on December 21, 2012, after 5,125 years, which has led some to believe that this date represents the end of the world as we know it. Hollywood has decided to get the jump on the end of the world by creating a fictionalized account of the 2012 phenomenon in the new movie 2012, starring John Cusack and Chewitel Ejiofor and directed by Roland Emmerich, who’s responsible for such blockbuster films as Godzilla and Independence Day.

Plot of 2012

In the year 2009, Adrian Helmsley (Ejiofor) tells the White House that a chain of natural disasters is about to occur due to a solar flare heating up the core temperature of the Earth. The White House, and an assemblage of leaders from around the globe, believe the evidence, but rather than try to avert the catastrophe, decide to build giant ships to ensure civilization’s survival. The ships are meant to hold 400,000 elite people, plus anyone who can pony up the one billion Euro ticket fee.

Three years later, in the fateful year, Jackson Curtis (Cusack) is taking his children camping when they meet a hermit named Charlie Frost who tells them of the Mayan calendar and the 2012 apocalypse. Frost also tells of having heard of the ships that will protect what is left of humanity. When the earthquakes begin and Curtis hears about the ships from a second source, he decides to take his family and attempt to rescue them from the upcoming cataclysm by finding one of these ships and forcing his way on board.

Progression of 2012

The disasters begin in force, with Los Angeles falling into the sea and earthquakes and tidal waves wreaking havoc worldwide. The rest of the movie details Curtis’ attempt to find and get on one of the ships before one of the disasters wipes out him and his family.

Critical Response to 2012

The movie’s opening weekend took in $225 million dollars worldwide, and at this writing is 47th all time in worldwide gross. Fans of style over substance are more likely to appreciate this movie, which is heavy on computer graphics and a bit thin on plot.