San Andreas

The Rock acts (and is likeable) about as well as Sylvester Stallone in the 1990s, but back then, Stallone wouldn't have acted in a film this silly. One cliché after another, and it relies on amazing the viewer with effects, which are not overwhelming, and pretty soon they get old, and it takes itself almost deadly seriously. Perspective is desperately missing - the comedy string that Roland Emmerich can play so well (I was very entertained by 2012, and it’s not much more sophisticated in terms of the storyline) did not even tremble in San Andreas. Unlike me while watching Alexandra Daddario... (01/05/2019)

The Americans tend to shoot a disaster movie once in a while, cry their eyes out and show Americanism in its harshest form. And they usually take down Los Angeles or San Francisco. It lies on two tectonic plates, so it’s strongly fitting for a similar movie. For many decades now. Fortunately, San Andreas doesn’t deviate from the standard and performs solid popcorn entertainment, which is supported by Hulk Dwayne and solid CGI. It’s almost a surprise that a similarly tuned movie wasn’t made by Emmerich, but by the talented Peyton instead, because he massacred the surroundings very well. (07/05/2016)

The surprise appeared where I absolutely did not expect it. San Andreas does have some nonsense and clichés, but that can be forgiven because in terms of special effects and atmosphere this is a very good disaster blockbuster and I can't think of a better one off the top of my head. The pace of the film is incredible, you are breathless during the action scenes and you just enjoy it, there is even a decent amount of panic, chaos, anarchy, and for a PG 13 film it is even quite rough, Alexandra Daddario is also a triumph with her divine breasts (I wish she'd gotten an Academy Award for them), the occasional light humour is a delight, and the biggest surprise of all is the final touching sequence, where everyone in the cinema was pulling out their handkerchiefs. Super recommended. PS: the Apple product placement is unmissable :D 80% (05/30/2015)

A genre routine without a shred of narrative innovation and insight, served exclusively in the company of surprisingly annoying and cluttered digital effects. Where the similarly destructive 2012 had a far more entertaining story, memorable "last-minute" escape scenes, and an air of fatalism about it, San Andreas only has likeable characters – but how can we even root for them when it's clear from the start that nothing can happen to them....? A big disappointment, the muscular physiognomy of Mr Rock and the lush breasts of Ms Daddario in top form definitely deserved much better advertising. 40% (09/10/2015)

Nobody expected a revolutionary cliché-free contribution to the genre, not even from Warner Bros. The same goes for Emmerichian wit and insight. The characters are fine, unlike those in last year’s Into the Storm, and better than those in Poseidon. So, overall it’s an alright movie, a display of decent craft without errors and surprises. (05/26/2015)