Greenland - Movie Review

Critics Score - 6 of 10

General Audience Score - 8 of 10

Any fans of disaster movies here? *Raises hand* If you’re like me, I used to love me some good old apocalyptic, disaster, end of the world in total destruction movies. From Knowing to Day After Tomorrow, Dante’s Peak to Geostorm, Twister to 2102, I was down for them all. How does Greenland compare to the rest under the view of a hopefully more critical eye?

PROS - Greenland is a disaster movie that puts John, a structural engineer from Atlanta, played by Butler, in a race to safety as an asteroid plummets toward the earth. The movie keeps up a good pace through the duration of the film, going from one action sequence into another in relative quick succession. John is trying to rectify things with his wife when things turn south and the asteroid starts changing course to come into contact with our planet. Not to spoil anything for anyone, but there’s some explosions and destruction with special effects which I thought were very well done, even if it’s not anything we haven’t seen before.

As John races to try and get to the underground bunkers the government has hidden in Greenland, there’s obstacles and time constraints a plenty in the way for him and his family. While the obstacles and pacing keep this film rolling, it’s easy to be fairly entertained, even if the film is really pretty weak and may have you rolling your eyes a time or two. All in all there’s an enjoyable time to be had with Greenland but all the special effects in the world can’t cover up the many problems with it. Will you be able to overlook it’s issues and have a good time?

CONS - Let’s start at the acting. Gerard Butler is selected for protection as his engineering profession dictates his need for survival. The story would’ve been much better acted if he’d played an over the hill actor trying to keep his acting career alive taking any mediocre parts that come his way. The entire cast is barely making par here, if you had high expectations for the acting going into Greenland, that’s on you. Some of the relationship dynamics and situations that are attempting to amplify the drama come across as mere contrivances and most everything that happens is terribly predictable.

The dialogue also suffers in many sequences and the writing is not one of the movies strong points. Although the plot and pacing can be contributed to a decent screenplay, lines like “You’re my life” and Butler saying “I’m sorry” a dozen times will leave you mystified as to what in the hell you’re watching. With a a few solid points in it’s favor and as well as some serious knocks against it, where does this film fall against other disaster films in watchability?

SUMMARY - Greenland has a fairly high cheesiness factor, much like many of the Twisters and Volcano style films from yesteryear. But there’s still much fun to be had in watching stuff blow up and destroyed right from the very start. This movie won’t be well remembered, it’s gonna be terribly forgettable, but it’s a fun ride while you’re on it. Don’t look at this film with a critical eye or you’ll be disappointed. But relaxing and grabbing a drink and watching with some friends or family will have you enjoying your trip to Greenland.