2012

Global destruction and the mass extermination of our human race by natural disasters epitomise the movie 2012. However, the big budget behind this special effects laden blockbuster has nothing on the simple messages interspersed throughout it.

This film borders on reality with the reference to a prophecy which can be historically traced. There is a Mayan prophecy predicting the end of days in the year 2012.

The idea of this calamity brings dread, especially in the current state of economic instability and drastic climate changes worldwide. Writers Harald Kloser and Roland Emmerich did well to incorporate these occurrences into a motion picture which may be a major prequel of what may actually come. The major loss of human lives seems insignificant compared to the collapsing skyscrapers and gargantuan tidal waves. The demolition of structural landmarks also features prominently in this disaster extravaganza.

Midway through the movie a cause for concern arises from the fact that humanity seems to be lacking. The director Roland Emmerich treats people like ants, easy to squish under a pile of White House rubble. This lack of empathy in the eyes of a movie director seems quite severe as the lives of people appear to mean less than the details etched on the buildings crushing them.

This affliction - the loss of humanity - is more damaging than any natural disaster could ever cause. People fight for themselves in a world of no tomorrow.

That seems to be the main message, but, conflicting with this dire point is a hope that the people in the middle of such incredibly inhospitable circumstances will be the ones with the greatest compassion. After all, the antithesis of being selfish is to be giving.

In this sense, the giving of fictitious lives was powerful enough to evoke a spellbinding allure and to believe in the humble acts of others.

If 2012 plays out, this film will be a reference point to signify a faith in others, especially loved ones. As the president of USA (played by Danny Glover) said in the film, it's up to us to: "make time"