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2012: Disaster Porn

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Quick before it gets taken down. Check out this “disaster porn” recut trailer for the upcoming movie 2012:

The movie, which debuts in November, is described this way on IMDB:

An epic adventure about a global cataclysm that brings an end to the world and tells of the heroic struggle of the survivors.

Guess that’s about as sequel-proof a story concept as you can get.

Tagline: “We Were Warned.”

Other tagline: “Who will be left behind?”

The last one is especially clever – trying to lure in Christian audience per the famous “Left Behind” series of books. Interesting ploy since the other tagline — “We were warned” — and the key to the movie’s plot is tied to the Mayan calendar prediction of the world’s end on December 12, 2012. Hence the movie’s title.

The movie’s writer-director Roland Emmerich is also responsible for Independence Day, Godzilla, and The Day After Tomorrow.

Perhaps consider changing prod co name to “Disasters-R-Us?”

H/T to Jason Beasley for the video link.

11 thoughts on “2012: Disaster Porn”

  1. I feel about Roland Emmerich the same way I feel about Michael Bay. Really good at spectical, but horrible at story.

    I know your blog is 'Go Into The Story,' but how would you feel about guys like Emmerich and Bay making films sans the story?

    Cut out all the "Who will say I love you first" scenes from Transformers 2 and just let giant robots fist fight. Remove the scientist and his old flame the reporter getting back together and just let Godzilla wreck New York.

    Though during The Day After Tomorrow, my friend and I came up with a whole side story about the wolves who escaped from the Central Park Zoo. Up to the point where a helicopter flown by other wolves show up to rescue them. If you're listening Emmerich, call me and we can beat out that story.

  2. Spot on annalysis, Steve. "… good at specticle, but horrible at story." EASY arguements to make given "Transformers II," "The Day After Tomorrow", and "10,000 B.C." (Rolan Emmerich), which I thought was especially dreadful, despite some REAL potential.

    To me, just from being forced to watch the trailer, "2012" looks A LOT like "The Day After Tomorrow." Once again good bridge, Steve. Don't know for sure their is a crappy story behind this movie, but it sure looks that way.

    Rolan Emmrick and Michael Bay NEED some solid mateial. They NEED the spec. market. Pair up with some hot shot with a story that's lightening in a bottle, and THEN let them tinker with it and fuse in what they well. Need someone with such a story…

    "O where, o where could it be?"

    "Indians of the Ancient Plains" by yours truly. Gimme a ring-a-ling boyz, and let the kid from Bonney Lake show you what he's got in his bag…

    - E.C. Henry

  4. I read the script many months back. It has plot holes so big you can drive a mountain through them. Seriously, it was a complete and utter disaster.

    That video, on the other hand, was brilliant.

  5. If anyone's curious about the tasty retro music used in this hilarious mock trailer, it's by the Incredible Bongo Band from the early 1970s. Mmm mmm, love me some bongos.

  6. Dang, Emmerich should recut and re-score the whole movie to reflect the sensabilities of this brilliant spoof trailer!

    They'd have my $10 fer sure!

  7. I'm curious how a rapture can be avoided by hopping aboard space ships and leaving Earth. Maybe God's like Rosco P. Coltrane, if you flee his planetary jurisdiction he just sits there twisting his hat going "A geee geee geee!"

    Steve – two words: "Chapter stops". It's the only way my friend.

  11. EC, I'm pretty sure they're not going to go with anyone who can't even spell their names correctly.

    Stop being so desperate and creepy. It's not getting you anywhere. Sorry, but somebody had to say it.

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