Monster quakes and extreme couples therapy
MOTHER Nature always gets the last word, but don’t tell that to the filmmakers of San Andreas who envision California bravely persevering after a series of earthquakes erupt along the titular fault line.
Any feature inclined toward a realistic depiction of a monster earthquake is wise to stick with first-responders, so San Andreas gives us Ray (Dwayne Johnson), a Los Angeles Fire Department search and rescue helicopter pilot. Ray’s expertise aloft isn’t matched by his interpersonal skills though, as he’s reminded when his estranged wife Emma (Carla Gugino) serves him with divorce papers and announces she’s moving into her boyfriend Daniel’s (Ioan Gruffudd) mansion, along with their daughter Blake (Alexandra Daddario). Ray’s plans for spending a final weekend with Blake before she begins university are dashed when a major earthquake hits Nevada and his squad mobilizes to respond — while Daniel offers to fly Blake up north on his private jet.
The LAFD isn’t aware, however, that the Nevada quake is part of a “swarm” of tremblors headed toward LA, as predicted by Lawrence Hayes (Paul Giamatti), a seismology professor. Before Hayes can get word out to the public, however, the first big one hits downtown where Emma is lunching in a highrise as the building begins crumbling around her. Already airborne and flying solo, Ray plucks her from the roof in his chopper and they zip off to retrieve their daughter.
Blake has already reached San Francisco when another quake hits and she finds herself trapped in an underground garage. After managing to reach Ray by cell phone, she’s rescued by handsome Brit engineer Ben (Hugo Johnstone-Burt) and his younger brother. The three quickly flee into the safer streets of San Francisco and start developing a plan to rendezvous with Ray and Emma.
Although the geological principals that underlie the plot are fairly solid, the film predictably exaggerates them to apocalyptic proportions, as earthquakes split California apart.
The movie is at its strongest when it integrates family dynamics into the plot rather than indulging in extreme couples therapy. Johnson is totally up for it, however, remaining one of the few contemporary action stars who can reassuringly embrace emotional situations at the height of catastrophe. – Reuters/ Hollywood Reporter