The End of The World??

Finally went to watch the most hyped up blockbuster of the season, 2012. In fact the movie had so much hype surrounding it to the point that tickets all over Malaysia were being snapped up the very moment the counters open. Even in Ipoh itself, tickets for the whole day were all SOLD OUT when the gf and I reached the counters at approximately 5 p.m., but fortunately there were still tickets to watch "A Christmas Carol" (which was pretty nice).

After the movie, it was 11 p.m. and somehow there were some people who gave up their bookings for 2012 last-minute, so we very conveniently managed to catch the midnight show. Even though we were a little tired, this was still the movie with the hype. In fact I had not heard a single bad review about the movie.

After coming out, I would say that my verdict: Disappointment of the year.

I guess maybe I had my hopes a little too high. Or maybe it really was bad. First of all,

What I would expect from a typical end-of-the-world movie:

1. Total Annihilation

• Basically the idea is that everyone dies, leaving no room for survival. Otherwise, the survivors are desolate, living in a world that is neither dead nor alive.

2. Overwhelmingly scary-looking tsunamis that can make you pee your pants

• This picture is basically seconds before a tsunami strikes... I guess you get the picture.

3. Extreme tension (and scares!) and unpredictable twists

• Nail-biting from beginning to end, makes you go "Oh crap..." for the whole show. A brilliant twist in the movie always does good. Makes you go like, "Whoa, I never thought of it that way... Ingenious..."

4. Crazy volcanic eruptions that make nuclear bombs look like jokes

5. Lastly, an emotional underlying theme that makes you think of what you would do if it comes

to this

• The hallmark of a good, if not brilliant movie lies in its ability to make you ponder about your own life. It helps you to relate it to yourself. Would you be able to keep your marbles together if you are faced with the same situation?

Why I thought the movie was disappointing:

1. The people survived by getting onto arks, mirroring Noah's Ark. There ain't nothing wrong with that. However the thought of the Ark actually surviving water intrusion and multiple impact at full force actually isn't logical.

2. Although the trailer looked scary, the tsunamis in the movie were highly disappointing. the waves and the waters flooded the lands, but honestly, I didn't feel anything when I saw it.

3. Predictable story. There were no surprises throughout the movie. Yes, the tension was there,

• But somehow you just knew that a really really long limousine would be able to drive past the falling buildings and make it on time before the building came down.
• And you would be able to predict that the jet planes would be able to take off in the last moment despite having a limited runway.
• Oh yes, and not to forget. The Indian man who provided them with the information that saved them all was betrayed.
• There are 5 minutes left. You are the only person who can save everyone on the ship. But you still have the time to share a long passionate kiss with your wife and argue with your son about whether he should follow you or not. Good job, now you've got 2 more minutes!

4. Potong stim.

• Seconds before a tsunami is going to hit you. You are with your whole family, whom you will never see again. The first thought, "I'm gonna call my best friend to remind him that he betrayed me!!" =.=
• You actually have cell phone reception at a time of a tsunami attack. =.='
• Before dying, the man looks to his son... calls his name, looks like he's about to say something touching... they all die. =.=''
• Scientist tries to woo president's daughter. They are in an ark, and you can't get OUT to even the decks. President's daughter asks, "Are you asking me OUT?". =.='''
• The inspirational President's last words before death were "Oh s**t!"

5. The volcanic eruption scene was made to look like a joke by the antics of this weird radio DJ character. I was laughing during that scene.

6. The show wasn't very thought-provoking or emotional. Even when the man who saved their lives (he happens to be the new boyfriend of the heroine after her divorce with the main protagonist) died a tragic death, they only said "No!!!!" and shed a few tears before totally forgetting him by the end of the movie.