Movie Reviews

San Andreas (10/12/2015)


Rated PG-13 for intense disaster action and mayhem throughout, and brief strong language.

Starring Dwayne Johnson, Paul Giamatti, Carla Gugino, Alexandra Daddario, Colton Haynes and Ioan Gruffudd

Directed by Brad Peyton (Journey 2: The Mysterious Island and Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore)

Dynamic ImageBuckle up for this is one wild ride.

After the infamous San Andreas Fault finally gives, triggering a magnitude 9 earthquake in California, a search and rescue helicopter pilot (Dwayne Johnson) and his estranged wife make their way together from Los Angeles to San Francisco to save their only daughter. But their treacherous journey north is only the beginning. And when they think the worst may be over…it’s just getting started.

San Andreas is about two things…Dwayne Johnson and special effects. If you like both of them, you’ll love this one…if you don’t, stop reading and skip the movie.

Summer blockbusters usually invite us to load up on popcorn, turn off our phones and our brains. San Andreas is no different. Brad Peyton takes the helm of this disaster film and does an ok job. The pace is steady and the visuals are strong. San Andreas has some amazing jaw-dropping special effects of earthquakes, crumbling buildings and tsunamis but the storyline is pretty weak. If you remember the disaster film 2012, then you will feel like you are watching a rerun. Major story lines seem to be pulled directly from the 2012 script…with it’s own plot holes.

Dwayne Johnson is a mountain of a man and fun to watch on screen. He brings humor and action to every role. That’s no difference here; he’s great. But pulling even more weight is Paul Giamatti who has to do a lot of heavy lifting. He delivers strong and somewhat believable explanations about tectonic plate movements and seismic instruments while dodging falling furniture in his office. The rest of the cast fills in the gaps nicely and are fun to watch.

Like most disaster films, San Andreas is intense, wildly entertaining and fun to watch. I just wish this had more of an original story…so for that reason I’ll say it’s a “Rental.”

SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
There is no sex or nudity and only one F-word. The only reservation is the intense action sequences that show an overwhelming about of death and destruction.

CONVERSATION STARTER:

  1. What is Ray’s first mission in the film?

  2. How dangerous is Ray’s job?

  3. Read Philippians 2:3-4

      Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

  4. How does Ray put others before himself?

  5. What are some ways you can put others before you?

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Jonathan McKee

Jonathan McKee is the author of over twenty books including the brand new The Guy's Guide to FOUR BATTLES Every Young Man Must Face; The Teen’s Guide to Social Media & Mobile Devices; If I Had a Parenting Do Over; and the Amazon Best Seller - The Guy's Guide to God, Girls and the Phone in Your Pocket. He speaks to parents and leaders worldwide, all while providing free resources for youth workers on TheSource4YM.com. Jonathan, his wife Lori, and their three kids live in California.

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