San Andreas Review

Source: IMDB

*Originally posted at Filmoria*

By now, if you don't know who Dwayne Johnson is then you may want to consider coming out of hibernation. A man whose dubbed status as 'franchise viagra' and whose sheer persona lights up fans and critics alike, Johnson has the world at his feet. His latest film offering, San Andreas, sees him with something much worse beneath him, but can he save the day or is this one disaster outing that is exactly what it says on the tin?

Ray (Johnson) is a search and rescue helicopter pilot for the LA Fire and Rescue Department who is thrust into action when the destruction of the Hoover Dam is caused by a staggering earthquake. With many more predicted by a concerned scientist (Paul Giamatti), it soon becomes apparent that the whole population along the San Andreas Fault is in grave danger.

With both his estranged wife (Carla Gugino) and daughter (Alexandra Daddario) in the midst of danger, Ray sets out to protect and rescue the two women in his life before they become victims of these life-changing events unfolding before them.

Brad Peyton's movie is one that many people will approach with caution, considering past offerings in the genre - we're looking at you 2012. On the surface, yet another disaster movie with the familiar 'family in danger' cliche, San Andreas is often on already trodden ground, but it does possess its own positive characteristics.

This is a movie that is regularly throwing the audience a barrage of perilous moments and all play out with a great sense of dread and a striking visual splendor. From the moment the first sense of danger arrives, Peyton doesn't let up in presenting harrowing scenes where buildings are crumbling, the public are victims of Mother Nature and helplessness is rife.

Each moment of earthquake chaos is captured superbly, with the CGI far from jarring and the sound effects and pounding soundtrack all adding to the authenticity of the events unfolding before us. Shattering glass, buildings turning to dust and beyond, Peyton has his handle on how to present a disaster epic for sure, it's just the details in-between that lack that extra bite.

San Andreas may be striking in its core dramatic components and visualisation, but when it comes to the dialogue there are big problems. All too often are we privy to mistimed family memories between our core characters and the inclusion of Ioan Gruffudd's tycoon and a pair of over-the-top Brits appear massively cliched and a huge annoyance. There are lines that evoke unintentional laughter littered all over the place and, despite Johnson's one-liner about second base, there is little true laughter to be had here.

That aside, the main trio of the movie are bankable, with Johnson blissfully taking on his role like he was born to do so. His one-man rescue team is somewhat unbelievable but with Johnson in charge we can still buy that this is a man who can reach beyond the boundaries and complete the impossible. Such is the charisma and prowess of the leading man.

San Andreas may not be able to spar with the heavyweight blockbusters of this year, but it still packs some punch in terms of entertainment value. Cliches aside, Peyton's film is powerful in its presentation of peril and rarely puts a step wrong in terms of its eye-catching moments of decimated buildings and landscapes.

This is a film that can be considered an earth shaker, but certainly no groundbreaker.