Peyton’s one big video game direction of “The Rock Saves Everyone Despite Insurmountable Odds” movie ups the ante with terrific aerial shots, but then drowns in hokey dialogue and silly/sappy time-outs for dopey character development. BUT, you also have some great stunt work and amazing SPFX CGI that, if you can overlook the untold body count into the millions, is truly impressive. One thing is for sure, this script ain’t gonna win any awards: the contrived plot is unbelievable with countless fantastic coincidences that’ll make you roll your eyes in disbelief, major plot holes the size of Buicks, not to mention the laws of physics and logic being thrown out the window. Now it’s a race to find high ground where Ray can land, but drat! There are SO many obstacles in their way! More quakes, helicopters crashing, stolen cars, impassable roads, still more quakes, and then there’s that nasty tsunami and a sinking building they’re in to contend with. But, not to fear, here comes Ray in his trusty helicopter to save Emma as the building she’s on falls away! A frantic call from Blake and off they go together to San Francisco when that city gets hit with a bigger 9.6 quake.Ī downtown mega-tower serves as the starting point where Daniel chickens out, leaving a trapped Blake to be rescued by Ben (Hugo Johnstone-Burt), a quaint British lad and his sight-seeing happy little brother, Ollie (Art Parkinson). with, you guessed it, the Hollywood Sign falling, the Capitol bldg shaking apart, and other major high-rises toppling over in fire and destruction. Meanwhile, Cal Tech scientist and teacher Lawrence Hayes (Paul Giamatti) has prob’s of his own: after Nevada’s 7.1 earthquake and consequent Hoover Dam collapse, he’s concluded (along with his student’s research) that California’s gonna get “the big one” any day now. Ray’s lovely college-aged daughter, Blake (Alexandra Daddario) is ready for school up North and hitches a ride with Daniel via his jet to San Francisco. Not only has his estranged wife, Emma (Carla Gugino) filed for divorce, but she’s shacking up with Daniel Riddick (Ioan Gruffud), a filthy rich real estate businessman. rescue helicopter pilot and all-around good-guy who’s about to have a very bad day. Starring Dwayne “the Rock” Johnson (does anyone still call him “the Rock” anymore? Just curious) as Chief Ray Gaines, a L.A.F.D. But then again, it’s directed by Brad Peyton, who gave us Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore, so what does that tell you?

Carlton Cuse, the screenwriter of the hit TV series Lost, wrote a disaster movie? Are you kidding me? It looked SO stupid, SO schlockly, SO downright embarrassingly over-the-top, that it should have premiered on the SyFy Channel along with Sharktopus vs DinoSquid.

I have to admit, when I first saw the trailer for this movie I was puzzled.

San andreas mega quake trailer