10.5: Apocalypse (2006): Starring Beau Bridges, Frank Langella, Kim Delaney, Dean Cain, Oliver Hudson, David Cubitt, Carly Pope, Tyrone Benskin, Melissa Sue Anderson, Glenda Berganza, Jon Cassini, Anna Jager, Megan Rath, Maurizio Terazzano, Sean Tucker, Brandon Blue...Director John Lafia, Screenplay Jon Lafia This was a two-part made-for-TV disaster pic, which aired Sunday, May 21 and wrapped up on Tuesday, May 23rd on NBC. While many viewers normally dislike and bash these "over-the-top, O MY GOD WHAT DO WE DO" type of disaster movies, it is America's guilty pleasure and it's still an enjoyable thriller. NBC and CBS have both seen their share of overly dramatic disaster films (Locusts, Spring Break Shark Attack, Bats, the first Earthquake one which was like 8.6 or something, etc). This film is the sequel to "10.5", which aired on NBC in 2004 in which a large-scale earthquake on the San Andreas fault finally turns California into an island. This film picks up where that one left of. President Paul Hollister (Beau Bridges) is informed by earthquake specialists and geologists that another devastating earthquake will hit the Mid-West and dramatically alter the geography of the United States, splitting it in half. Bridges is not doing anything particularly outstanding as far as serious acting and he knows it, but he is convincing as a worried President, and one who is more fatherly and humane instead of overtly political or self-interested. He looks damn good as the President and I totally buy him as the Commander-In-Chief. His wife (Kim Delaney) has a bit of the Hilary Clinton, strong First Lady thing going on and she has great chemistry with Bridges. Their daughter is actively involved in the rescue aid groups, FEMA among them. Sexy heartthrob actor Dean Cain (Las Vegas, Lois and Clark) is superb as firefighter Brad, who is engaged in a sibling rivalry with brother Will, also a firefighter (Oliver Hudson). Will resents that Brad gets all the attention and is considered a hero. Both Cain and Hudson deliver fine performances, even if it's the made-for-TV kind, and when Cain dies ultimately to save the life of a injured earthquake victim, it is genuinely moving, especially when Will finally accepts his brother as a hero and puts away his ego. Dean Cain proves his own versatility by taking on an action role and he seems to fit into this disaster genre so well one wonders why he wasn't cast in such films as "Deep Impact", "The Day After Tomorrow" or at least "Ladder 49" . Frank Langella, a veteran British actor, portrays Dr. Hill, an expert on earthquake activities. Bash this film all you want because despite its astounding and unbelievable premise, it is powerful and emotional. The production values are high and the special effects, made with the latest computer generated images, look so real that one almost believes it can become a reality. In a latter scene, as the earthquake cuts a dividing line between Western and Eastern United States, a Hispanic couple display affection "I love you" as they die together. Very moving. Humanity attempts to save itself, risking their lives for others and hoping to stop this Juggernaut and we are totally absorbed in the struggle. It is much like "The Day After Tomorrow" (2004). With global warming still a threat, and with the intelligently argued theory that earthquakes can indeed destroy the geographical surface of a continent (like during the Ice Ages and dinosaur days) is wholly possible and many scientists consider this to be a future threat for the earth. The cinematography is stunning. Filmed in Arizona, Las Vegas and the Mid-West, you are at the edge of your seat as you watch the Hoover Dam burst and overflood and Las Vegas fall to pieces. This earthquake scared the heck out of me and let's pray it never happens, because truly, our own earth may well be our worst enemy. Despite the many negative comments and the animosity toward director Lafia's technique, this is a good movie in the end. Why ? It's not meant to cater to audiences who enjoy big-screen disaster pics. It is meant to be appreciated in your own home. I certainly did.
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