'2012: Special Edition' - High-Def Digest Review

[melanderhenrik]

Dont get me wrong here, I love scifi movies, disaster movies, and movies in general. But how this flic got more than 1 star rating for the movie itself is very strange. It was one of the worst movies EVER. Its so stupid that you felt like screaming at the characters in the movie that they are RETARDS.

I felt lobotomized when I left the cinema.

Excellent effects and sound tho, and it it worth watching just for that one big explotion

[eNoize]

The movie was shot with a mix of Super 35 film and HD video (via the Genesis camera, as you noted).

I haven't seen the movie, but I've heard that the majority was film. That would account for why only selected scenes stand out as different from the rest.

Then that explains the look. I didn't much care for it.

[cherrygarcia]

looks like a decent rental

[Brack]

I was really looking forward to this release but Sony does it again:
"On another side note, there are a variety of characters speaking in foreign languages throughout '2012'. Unfortunately, the subtitles accompanying the narrative are not contained within the image proper. As result, this makes the movie unsafe for viewing on Constant Image Height projection screens."

Does no one at Sony have a Home Theater setup with true widescreen?

I thought the new f/w release for the Oppo put this issue to rest once and for all? Subtitles can be re-positioned.

[chazr]

^Having seen neither yet, I have a strong suspicion I'll prefer it over Avatar (the latter which I may never see). I don't particularly wanna hear Cameron's self-righteous, anticorporate preachy message.

“Fear of being preached to” - is the reason to avoid the film? I’ve heard this one before and it amuses me. Evil corporations! I guess these people avoid most of the original Aliens and Spielberg films for the same reason?
I’m having trouble thinking of a sci-fi film that DOESN’T have a similar theme, not to mention a ton of popular non-sci-fi. I don't recall this much furor over "Dances With Wolves" which has a similar theme and even rougher on the army (the soldiers in Avatar are mercenaries).
I've seen the Avatar and talked to a lot of people who have seen the film and I don't recall any complaints of being preached to. I figure this complaint comes from people who just don’t like Cameron.

On another note - closer to this thread:
When you see 2012, the most obvious video sequence is the last section of the movie - during the flooding room sequences. There are lots of other instances but you'll really notice it at that point.

My overall review would be:
Yes, It is a popcorn movie and a really good one. As far as script, it's "Citizen Kane" compared to movies like "Transformers 2".

[Lakersvh]

Was this better than "The Day After Tommorow"? That movie put me to sleep.

[Josh Z]

I thought the new f/w release for the Oppo put this issue to rest once and for all? Subtitles can be re-positioned.

Only for owners of that specific player.

[eNoize]

^^ I didn't care for 'Day After Tomorrow' and somewhat boring, but I thought '10,000 B.C.' is just flat out awful, even worse than 'Godzilla'. So, yes, I think '2012' is better and more entertaining.

On another note - closer to this thread:
When you see 2012, the most obvious video sequence is the last section of the movie - during the flooding room sequences. There are lots of other instances but you'll really notice it at that point.

Most definitely, that's where it is most obvious, but also at the beginning when we first see Hemsley travel underground in India.

[eNoize]

I thought the new f/w release for the Oppo put this issue to rest once and for all? Subtitles can be re-positioned.

This is not just an issue about who has the right player -- subtitles are supposed to be in the image proper just as in the theater.

[FLTWS]

I loved E's little paragraph on the extra "Roland Emmerich: The Master of the Modern Epic". I can't stop chuckling, well done.

Still and all, I will be checking this out, but it can only be at best a "guilty pleasure".

10,000 BC was on a par with all the other films dealing with pre recorded history scenarios. Ugh! The only movie of this type I can remember being worth a viewing was Quest for Fire. Can anyone think of any others?

[GardenVariety]

I don't know, I loved Independence Day and thought The Day After Tomorrow and 10,000 BC were both entertaining enough. Maybe I just tend to not overthink my movie experiences and just go along for the ride. I am not the type of person who sits there in a movie and starts pointing out every hole in the plotline. Hell, I enjoyed GI Joe and Transformers 2 also. What can I say, I'm a simple kind of guy.

[chazr]

This is not just an issue about who has the right player -- subtitles are supposed to be in the image proper just as in the theater.

Enoize - You're right on!

[darczap]

What's different about the Target exclusive compared to the 2 disc set at Amazon? I want to see this, so I'll get around to buying it, just want to know which one to buy.

[Josh Z]

10,000 BC was on a par with all the other films dealing with pre recorded history scenarios. Ugh! The only movie of this type I can remember being worth a viewing was Quest for Fire. Can anyone think of any others?

The beginning of 2001: A Space Odyssey?

[Columbo345]

I'm sorry to generalize but those who did not enjoy this film have either been expecting the next Citizen Kane or are cold-hearted, serious people who don't like to be entertained.

How come there is always someone who says this? They bring up Citizen Kane or Shakespeare.

I think people have a right to criticize this movie. I never saw it but even action movies can be either too long or lacking something.