Movie review: San Andreas

 

San Andreas is a 2015 American disaster/thriller movie starring Dwayne Johnson, Carla Gugino, Ioan Gruffudd, Alexandra Daddario, Archie Panjabi, and Paul Giamatti. A massive earthquake caused by the San Andreas fault devastates the West Coast of the US. The movie tracks the efforts of Ray Gaines, a recue helicopter pilot, as he tries to save his wife and daughter from the terrible destruction unfolding before his eyes.

I love disaster movies. However, with only SFX and no heart or bad acting, these can end up being just a parade of clever, hi-tech, dramatic, and expensive stunts that soon get boring. One example of this is Twisters 2 which had fantastic scenarios of storms and the aftermath but a wooden leading actress and thus no heart or warmth. San Andreas has 100% and more of drama, tension, suspense, gasps, and nail-biting moments as the characters struggle to survive. There are tons of incredible special effects and action sequences. The opening stunning helicopter rescue scene alone sets the tone and establishes the main character. Filming was no walk in the park for the actors with collapsing skyscrapers, a spectacular tsunami, submerged high rises, sinking buildings, flying debris, capsized boats, and more.

Dwayne Johnson isn’t going to play Shakespeare any time soon, but he does the manly action stuff very well and infuses the right amount of energy and credibility into his roles. I have seen most of his movies and I like him. Carla Gugino plays his estranged wife Emma and is a very competent, complementary foil. The utterly gorgeous Alexandra Daddario plays their daughter Blake with loads of energy and enthusiasm and if I am ever in an earthquake scenario, I want her on my team. Ioan Gruffudd plays Emma’s self-serving boyfriend who leaves Blake trapped in a car in the underground parking while he saves his own slimy skin. He is not a bad actor but seems best suited for the ‘creepy guy’ roles. Paul Giamatti as Dr. Lawrence Hayes, a Caltech seismologist, is a solid, dependable actor. I have seen him in a variety of roles, from historical to modern day. My favourite is The Illusionist, set in turn-of-the-century Vienna, where he plays the Inspector. He is a fine actor and the best of the bunch. There is also plenty of room for nice cameo roles. Two stand out for energy and loads of charm. Hugo Johnstone (Ben Taylor) and his ‘annoying little brother’ Ollie (Art Parkinson) meet Blake and save her from being crushed to death in the parking garage. Ollie is just adorable as Hugo’s cheeky wingman at the age when a smitten youngster can tell a young woman she is ‘just beautiful’ and not get his face slapped.

San Andreas is a good go-to movie for disaster fans like me. I have watched it five times now and always spot something new. The soundtrack includes the fantastic California Dreamin’ (The Mommas and the Poppas) and the movie version is quite haunting. So, if you’re looking for a nailbiter of a movie for a Saturday night, with loads of popcorn (you’ll need it), this is your movie of choice.