San Andreas – Film Review

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has come a long way since his WWE days. He started his decade long “wrestling” career at the age of 24 in 1996. Since then he’s done several movies, guest appearances, and most recently proven he can lead a film with blockbuster hit, San Andreas. The movie is full of clichés and exaggerations that many seismologists have spoken out against. However, his star power combined with the enormous amounts of effects in the movie will be sure to draw a crowd.

The main storyline revolves around Johnson’s character Raymond ‘Ray’ Gaines and his ex, Emma (Carla Gugino), who has recently sent him official divorce papers. They still love each other but have grown apart due to the loss of one of their daughters. Emma is now dating Daniel Riddick (Ioan Gruffudd) and he’s about to move-in with her and Ray’s daughter Blake (Alexandra Daddario). Ray is not happy with the news but doesn’t express his emotions about it. After, he’s feeling guilty about abruptly leaving the day he found out and calls Emma to apologize. The earthquake hits while they’re on the phone. He instructs her to go up to the highest point in the building she’s in so he can pick her up in his helicopter. Once he saves her they get a call from their daughter who’s trapped in a car in a parking lot. Her soon to be step-dad left her there alone to save himself. The sole purpose of the rest of the move is for Ray and Emma to save their daughter who’s accompanied by two boys she had met a few minutes before the earthquake hit.

Unfortunately, the story follows a selfish plotline that most moviegoers don’t notice and applaud. In the very beginning of the movie Ray is portrayed as a hero. He’s a Los Angeles Fire Department helicopter-rescue pilot. He’s being followed and interviewed by a reporter, Serena (Archie Panjabi), during a harrowing rescue of a girl who is stuck on a cliff in her car. A wrong move could send her to her death. He’s modest about being a hero and considered one of the best at his job. This hero disappears the rest of the film.

The movie after this rescue scene turns into; A very talented Los Angeles Fire Department rescue pilot ignores all of those suffering around him to go save his daughter. Yes, family is first but what if every rescue pilot, EMT, emergency volunteer, police office etc…, decided to use all the resources allotted to them to only save their families. Didn’t he have contacts in the area that could’ve helped find her and still do at least part of his job?

The special effects are good and not much is usually expected from this type of movie from the storyline. One just wishes the writing could be a little bit smarter in a movie that’s almost guaranteed to be seen by the masses because of its star power. If anything, besides being entertaining it was a necessary reminder that disasters are unpredictable and do strike at anytime. Be prepared and do have a plan.

You can check out some suggestions on how to prepare for a disaster at:
http://www.redcross.org/prepare/location/home-family

Starring: Dwayne Johnson (Ray), Carla Gugino (Emma), Alexandra Daddario (Blake), Ioan Gruffudd (Daniel Riddick), Archie Panjabi (Serena)

Directed by: Brad Peyton

Written by: Carlton Cuse (screenplay), Andre Fabrizio (story), Jeremy Passmore (Story)

MPAA rating: PG-13

Running time: 114 min

Rating: 3/5