Provide a brief description of the film/program's story plot for our readers
End of the world as we know it. Volcanos, earthquakes, tsunamis, magnetic poles shift, formation of new continents while the ones we know go. A lot of people die. 6 Arcs saving some people, animals, crops, seeds... hope for new world on the end
What is your personal opinion of this film/program, as entertainment?
Loved the effects. They are unbelievable. I liked the movie, like the acting of John Cusack. Story is OK, but some scenes - the typical Hollywood scenes when seconds count but the characters get into lengthy conversations, or some other ones could be spared. I think my animator's mind appreciates the effects.
The movie could be a little shorter. Who knows what really will happen in 2012.
This movie is just a big show; but it does make you think about humanity, life, survival, values in life, what is important in life.
What is your personal opinion of this film/program as a social and/or cultural message? Does it succeed or fail in this regard?
Film has fabulous effects. Social message is there. Cultural message? That we all are equal, it does not matter if we are from US or Tibet-we all have good and bad parts, it depends which parts overpower us.The message is strongest when the family reunites, when good are saved and do good for others. The hope is not lost, the new world is opening for the ones who survived, but many innocent and good people died. This is depressing, but it can happen, and it happens. Many people die in real life - and they should not. I think that any movie with bad end cannot be accepted well by people. It is very depressing, and people need to have the hope for better.
The Mayan calendar was not only base of this movie, it was more the apocalypse, the end of world. During history people feared the end of world all the times. Be it 2000, and other times. I really did not see it as movie about Mayan calendar - to me it was more this adrenalin rising - action- special effects movie combined with some emotional scenes. Sensational. People love to fear. Who knows what really will happen in 2012. Maybe nothing, maybe more of unrest as we see it now.
I saw it as entertainment, great effects, some good characters, desperation of not being able to save all.
What impact do you feel the movie will likely have on the way people worldwide will perceive the Mayan Calendar?
I think everyone will see it differently. Some might get panicky, some will laugh, some will say it is outrageous misinterpretation of Maya calendar, some will just see it as a movie.
If you had the chance to remake this film/program, what would you do differently?
I would skip the lengthy scenes when seconds count, I would go more reasonable - real in effects. I would do more scientific research - what is really possible, and what not. Some scenes would not be possible in reality...like to outrun the black wall of smoke from caldera explosion...but it was adrenalin rising scene. I would want better acting, better script, lines.
Would you recommend this film/program to your family, friends and colleagues? Why or why not?
Yes. It is entertainment. I would tell them it is better than other movies (like horrors, or too much action-killing movies). I would tell them to look at it and realize who we are, and what is important in life. Where we go, what we do, what we can change, and what we have to change. In ourselves, in world, climate....name it
What would you like to say to the film's director, and/or the production studio?
Big movie, wonderful effects. He could consult scientists more for this movie.
("2012" only) Roland Emmerich is allegedly planning a television series "post 2012". What do you think of this idea?
It depends what he will do from it. What message he will send to people. Not to make it another sequel which is worse than the first movie.
