San Andreas

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson stars as Ray – an ex-Army helicopter pilot working for the Los Angeles Fire Department as a rescue specialist. His family has been through a great deal of turmoil, and duty calls at the worst time possible when a series of earthquakes strike Nevada near the Hoover Dam.

As our hero pilots out to be part of the rescue efforts, the biggest earthquake anyone has ever seen or felt hits Los Angeles, and Ray is the type of man who leaps into the action to help people without regard for his own safety.

Before you know it, as buildings are crumbling below, fire is shooting to the sky, water mains are bursting like geysers and sweat is glistening on The Rock’s infamous brow, Ray is flying his chopper to save his soon-to-be-ex-wife Emma (Carla Gugino). Then, he is off to San Francisco to rescue his ravishing daughter, Blake (Alexandra Daddario), as the earthquakes grow in size and frequency.

Plus, because it is a movie, seismologist Lawrence (Paul Giamatti) has just figured out a way to predict earthquakes, and he sees THE BIG ONE is on its way!

Who will live?

Who will die?

Who will fall in love?

Maybe this is why I am single. If I just found myself trapped in a life threatening, ground shaking, end of days earthquake with Alexandra Daddario, she might fall for me (like she falls for the dude she is saving in this movie) and we would live happily ever after.

Of course, that is the strange part of these disaster films. While many are brought in by the special effects and acts of heroism, writer Carlton Cuse, like many writers before him, inserts all sorts of mushy stories to show how we will do whatever it takes to save our loved ones in a disaster, and makes sure a great deal of dialogue is dedicated to expressing it over and over and over again.

Additionally, let’s throw in a love story or two for good measure. If heartstrings can be pulled, Cuse will try to tug at them with the strength of The Rock.

In the end, it all adds up to a sometimes cheesy, always predictable formulaic film that is super entertaining because the special effects will amaze you and The Rock is one of the best leading men in movies today.

Cuse gives us an overly simple villain who acts in dreadful ways, a little sense of humor at the right times to help alleviate some of that amazing tension delivered by director Brad Peyton and so many platitudes about family you will start figuring out those are good times to head to the bathroom (if needed).

However, once San Andreas gets rocking, you need to hold on! It’s disaster after disaster after disaster with all of our main characters facing incredible peril that will have you on the edge of your seat.

Much of this is because of The Rock. Johnson is the most likable and compelling leading man you will see working in action movies today. His great big smile and all of the charm that comes with it wins over even the most cynical of audience members as you see him engage in acts of heroism. Plus, The Rock gets to emote! You better bring some tissues.

Then, you get to watch Giamatti perfectly play the scientist role complete with foreboding statements and that plaintive look into the distance as he sees the horrific future playing out in his imagination.

San Andreas is traditional, summer blockbuster entertainment just when we needed it.

San Andreas is rated PG-13 for intense disaster action and mayhem throughout, and brief strong language.