Movie Review: Geoflick – “San Andreas”

The name of the film: San Andreas

The medium used to view the film: DVD rental

Approximate length of the film: 1 hour and 54 minutes

Classmates who watched with you: None of them

Your star ranking for the film: 3.8 stars out of 5

Introduction:

Brad Peyton’s 2015 geo-movie “San Andreas” was fascinating. The review will assess the film’s aesthetic appeal, plot intricacy, and scientific veracity. The movie’s accuracy and use of geological principles will determine its rating, even if it exaggerates geology for drama. We will examine the story’s architecture, character arcs, and special effects. We will analyze “San Andreas” to determine its disaster film success and scientific accuracy.

Scientific Accuracy

“San Andreas” takes extensive creative liberties with geological occurrences to create a fascinating apocalyptic scenario. The movie recognizes California’s San Andreas Fault. Seismicity and earthquake frequency are overstated. The footage shows earthquakes occurring quicker and more violently than geophysicists assume (Cuse et al.). Movies do not show earthquake processes like this.

The movie predicts earthquakes more accurately than science can (Cuse et al.). Despite efforts to enhance earthquake forecasting, location, magnitude, and timing remain unpredictable (Cuse et al.). In “San Andreas,” the main protagonists can precisely foresee earthquake likelihood and size and prepare ahead of time.

To increase drama and tension, the movie makes several scientific errors (Cuse et al.). The film builds urgency and risk for its characters and audience by dramatizing seismic occurrences and earthquake prediction.

Finally, “San Andreas” disproves geologic principles. It overstates earthquake mechanics and predicts earthquakes beyond science. Despite creating a compelling catastrophic scenario, these reality distortions contradict geological principles (Cuse et al.).

Plot Development

“San Andreas” follows Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, a rescue helicopter pilot, through a series of devastating earthquakes caused by the San Andreas Fault (Roberts). Despite its straightforward narrative, the film is suspenseful.

As usual for the subgenre, the main character strives to keep his family together during an earthquake. Ray Gaines must hurry to safeguard his ex-wife and children from the city’s earthquakes.

The film goes quickly, balancing action and character-focused passages. The movie holds viewers’ interest by moving between thrilling disaster scenes and quieter ones (Roberts). Ray Gaines goes on a fascinating emotional journey as he grieves and reconciles with his family.

The primary character’s journey is apparent, but the supporting cast must be utilized more. They are tale starters, not characters. The story might have been improved by exploring the supporting cast’s motives and backstories.

“San Andreas” is a catastrophe film about the hero’s bravery. The story is intriguing and provides high-stakes action, but the supporting characters are undeveloped (Roberts).

Special Effects

A feature of “San Andreas” is the eye-popping special effects, which are crucial in illustrating the damage caused by earthquakes. The effects guys performed an excellent job. They are evoking complete chaos and devastation.

The earthquake scenes, collapsing structures, and rampaging tsunamis are brought to life on screen by incredible special effects. These moments are a tribute to the talent of the painters since every crumbling structure and rampaging wave appears to be quite realistic (Roberts). The seamless blending of computer-generated imagery (CGI) with live-action footage considerably enhances the film’s visual splendor.

The stunning effects also stand out more because of the cinematography (Roberts). The camera’s ability to capture the magnitude and intensity of the catastrophe draws the observer into the chaos. The aerial and wide-angle shots clearly show how destructive the earthquakes were for the region and its residents.

It is impossible to exaggerate the value of sound design in complementing visual effects. The sounds of rumbling tremors, crashing debris, and roaring tsunamis heighten the tension in disaster scenes (Roberts). The ideal blend of sight and sound will arouse all of your senses.

Overall, “San Andreas”‘ special effects do a fantastic job of capturing the damage caused by the earthquakes. The film’s stunning visual effects, professional cinematography, and captivating sound design enable the spectator to become engrossed in the crisis scenarios (Roberts).

Entertainment Value

An intense moviegoing experience is provided by “San Andreas”‘ tense action and tense situations. The movie keeps the audience riveted and lives up to its reputation as an action-packed catastrophe thriller with jaw-dropping special effects.

Dwayne Johnson, who gives Ray Gaines much personality, lifts the film. Johnson’s portrayal of the role makes him more relatable and intriguing (Cuse et al.). His portrayal helps the audience care about the protagonist and his battle to save the people he loves.

The action-packed plot of “San Andreas” keeps viewers engaged and prevents boredom from setting in (Cuse et al.). The movie keeps up a sense of urgency while switching between dramatic action sequences and personal investigation.

Despite its predictable plot and one-dimensional supporting cast, “San Andreas” delivers the thrilling cinematic experience that its trailers promised (Cuse et al.). The movie embraces its genre and offers an exciting spectacle.

Overall, “San Andreas” is enjoyable because of its thrilling action, stunning scenery, and Dwayne Johnson’s charismatic acting. Despite its predictable plot and weak supporting cast, the movie fulfills its promise of being an entertaining disaster movie experience (Cuse et al.).

Conclusion

Finally, “San Andreas” is a fun movie due to its gorgeous surroundings, thrilling action, and Dwayne Johnson’s charming portrayal. The film is amusing and engaging despite exaggerated seismic events and geological catastrophes. The integrated CGI-live-action effects capture the earthquakes’ devastation. Photography and sound design intensify the calamity for viewers. The movie’s high-stakes action and Johnson’s portrayal of the protagonist keep audiences engaged despite its predictable plot and weak supporting characters. “San Andreas” delivers an intriguing and dramatic catastrophe film despite scientific inaccuracies and storytelling limits.

Work Cited

Cuse, Carlton, et al. “San Andreas.” IMDb, 27 May 2015, www.imdb.com/title/tt2126355/. Accessed 26 June 2023.

Roberts, Sheila. “San Andreas Movie: 18 Things to Know about Dwayne Johnson’s Disaster Movie.” Collider, 26 May 2015, collider.com/san-andreas-movie-18-things-to-know-about-dwayne-johnson-disaster-movie/. Accessed 27 June 2023.