It looks like this is the big one – earthquake that is. You know, the massive ‘mother of all earthquakes’ that leaves epic-scaled devastation which is prime fodder for a summer popcorn audiences. And trust me, “San Andreas” has the summer popcorn movie cred. It is loud, often silly, filled to the rim with corny lines and CGI destruction, and it stars The Rock. Yet at the same time it also manages to entertain – an accomplishment that many summer blockbusters can’t claim.
Disaster movies have always managed to find an audience and if you look at the catalog of film history you’ll see that almost every disaster imaginable is represented. Earthquakes are no different. Quake disaster picks have been around for a while as evident by the great Clark Gable film “San Francisco” from 1936 and Charlton Heston’s “Earthquake” from 1974. “San Andreas” certainly doesn’t fall into the same category of those films in terms of quality, but I would be lying if I didn’t say I had fun with it.
The movie starts in typical fashion – with an introduction to the players. Dwayne Johnson plays Ray, A helicopter rescue pilot for the Los Angeles Fire Department. He is in the middle of a divorce with Emma (Carla Gugino) who has moved in with her wealthy real estate broker boyfriend (Ioan Gruffud). Their daughter Blake (Alexandria Daddario) is seemingly caught in middle and maintains a strong relationship with her father. Meanwhile seismologist Lawrence Hayes (Paul Giamatti) and his team are studying small tremors in hopes of perfecting their earthquake prediction theories. And we are also introduced to a young engineer named Ben (Hugo Johnston-Burt) who has eyes for Blake and his younger brother Ollie (Art Parkinson).
I don’t need to tell you but an earthquake hits and the epicenter is near the Hoover Dam. But little does everyone know that it is simply a precursor to a bigger quake – one unlike any we’ve seen before (how’s that for dramatic effect). It just so happens that when ‘the big one’ hits the central family is separated and Ray sets out to save his estranged wife and daughter. The story bounces back and forth between each group of characters as they navigate an assortment of perils and close calls.
The city of San Francisco is the computer generated ground zero of “San Andreas” and the special effects crew leaves no street undamaged and no landmark unscathed. This reveals some of the film’s strengths and its weaknesses. Visually the film shines. Watching this there is no question that modern special effects are capable of capturing almost anything. Even the film’s more ridiculous and absurd sequences were impressive due to the spectacular visuals. On the other hand the barrage of CGI destruction is relentless to the point of becoming almost numbing. And there are times when you question whether the filmmakers are even considering the catastrophic death toll resulting from their visual artistry.
But my biggest mixed reaction centers around the characters. Unquestionably the movie features several throwaway characters and some prototypical cookie-cutter characters that you’ve seen in a hundred other movies. I won’t spoil who is who, but the sheer lack of imagination in some of the character development is ridiculous. On the more surprising side, I actually found myself liking the family dynamic as cliché as it was. Even amid the sometimes lame dialogue and laughably cheesy lines I liked the three main characters. And the performances were generally good. They are nothing that you will remember but they’re able to weather the occasional hackneyed writing that can sometimes leave you shaking your head. It’s a pretty solid cast some of whom feel a bit wasted.
When watching movies like “San Andreas” I feel you sometimes need to have a discernment switch you can flip off in order to enjoy the movie. It’s that critical switch that when flipped on keeps us from seeing past a film’s negatives so that we enjoy the positives. Many summer blockbusters stink regardless of whether the switch is flipped on or off. But I found “San Andreas” to be entertaining in its own cheesy, summer blockbustery way. The predictability is undeniable. The corny lines are too many to count. The CGI devastation and last second rescues are aplenty. But at the same time “San Andreas” kept me engaged thanks to its visuals, its cast, and even the occasional unintended humor which I count as part of its charm. I can see where some may pile on or dismiss “San Andreas”, but for me it was good throw-away summer fun.
VERDICT – 3.5 STARS
keithandthemovies.com 
So agree!
I’m glad to hear someone shares that perspective. There are numerous things you could gripe about and they would all be legitimate. At the same time though I found myself having a really good time. In the end that always counts as a positive for me.
San Andreas would be a bit better if it had casted lesser-known actors for these cardboard cut-out characters. From a financial perspective it makes sense because The Rock is a huge draw these days (and his background in wrestling kind of allows him to transition into these cliche roles) but I really wish someone like Paul Giamatti wasn’t caught up in this. Broadly speaking, this film works but man his role in particular had me cringing!
Giamatti was the standard ‘expert’ that you get in almost every disaster flick. He definitely looked the part and would be a believable choice. But my gosh some of his dialogue were incredibly corny and sometimes he would try to heighten the drama with otherwise goofy material. So I see what you’re saying. Oddly there was still a side of me that liked his casting even though he had to wade through some rough patches.
For this kind of movie to work I need more than one charismatic star (think Independence Day wasnt just Will Smith) and I need to see something new special effectswise (think the tornadoes in Twister). San Andreas had neither and the dialogue was so dopey. My theater was laughing at scenes like The Rock out racing a Tsunami in a little speed boat. Didnt work for me
I get what your saying about Independence Day, but in many ways I find that movie equally goofy. And I don’t think San Andreas is trying to be nearly as broad as a movie like ID. I think that works in its favor. I liked the cast (generally speaking) and the effects.
All of that being said, at times it is insanely goofy and I laughed at several scenes (tsunami included). But honestly that was part of the fun for me. Certainly doesn’t make it a great film, but it did make it entertaining for me.
Hi Keith! Disaster movies are so popular aren’t they? I have to admit I laughed every time I saw the trailer. I like The Rock, he’s charismatic, but I don’t know if I’m all that interested in this one to be honest.
He is charismatic but I think what I like about him is his ability to take ‘cheesy’ and make it fun. This movie has moments where you will literally laugh at its goofiness. But to be honest that made me enjoy it a bit more than I ever expected to. 🙂
Ahah well the only way to enjoy these types of disaster movies is to watch it for the laughs. Same w/ Olympus Has Fallen, etc. so ok, maybe I’ll rent it if it’s on Netflix 😉
Good! Give it a shot. It goes down pretty easy but it doesn’t stay with you very long. 😉 you know these types of movies.
I completely agree with you. It’s totally predictable and silly but it’s definitely entertaining.
I felt the same way. It is basically nonsense. But it is really fun nonsense. 😉
I have that switch and had a blast watching this. It was full of almost every cliche you can think of (well, except for a dog that needed saving) but I didn’t mind at all.
It’s good to have that switch, isn’t it? I had a good time too. I mean it is exactly what it sets out to be. I can appreciate that.
I actually really want to watch this. I know I will think it is silly at some point, but I love the Rock and it seems so fun!
Exactly! There will be times when you laugh at the absurdity. But if I’m honest I have to admit it was a lot of fun.
I love it!
It’s fun. I actually saw a little of it again this weekend. It was on TV
what is “Ray’s” strengths and weaknesses in the movie?