Movie Review - San Andreas

San Andreas

(2015)

Village Roadshow Pictures / New Line Cinema / RatPac-Dune Entertainment / Flynn Picture Company : Warner Bros / Warner Home Video

8 / 10

This is one of those big Hollywood disaster movies that ticks every box -

- It's BIG - with thanks to today's computer graphics we can now total towns and cities and open up massive chasms in the earth.  We can also fly helicopters through the tumbling skyscrapers and ride speedboats up the mountainous waves of tsunamis.  The action and the special effects are awesome, though they do verge and teeter on the edges of ridiculousness.

- It's Hollywood - the only thing bigger than the effects and the disaster happening on screen is Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's aura.  Not only is Johnson a physically immense man but his presence on screen is substantial and powerful.  It was mainly due to this presence, humour, and physicality that I watched WWE and I was pleased to see all those essences worked well on the big screen too.  As time has passed his acting skills have grown, though he doesn't have to call on them too much here as the film is action and effects driven.

As with most movies of this ilk, the story is pretty limited.  A family has split up for the day, going about their daily businesses and routines when the earthquake hits.  Amid the ensuing catastrophe rescue pilot Raymond Gaines (Dwayne Johnson), must rescue his ex-wife and daughter.  This isn't as simple as it sounds, as more buildings fall and water rises the three people have lots of obstacles to overcome before they are reunited.

Director Brad Peyton does a good job of tying all the computer graphics and live action sequences together to give a thrilling and entertaining movie that is full of tension.  Never did I withdraw from the movie once to think, wow isn't that a great effect; there's nothing worse than when a special effect spoils the flow of the story.  That is a great testament to Peyton and the effects team.

Though this is Johnson's film the rest of the cast are above average, especially Paul Giamatti who plays Dr Lawrence Hayes who is in the process of developing an earthquake premonition machine.

If you like films where you can leave your brain at the door then this would definitely be one for you to watch.  If you've had a rough day and need something to relax to then you could try this movie.  If you love disaster films then you need to watch this.