Many by now have heard of the ancient Mayan legend that the world is going to come to an end in 2012 with the aligning of the planets. Each culture has legend, story, and myth regarding the end of the earth; it just so happens, though, that many cultures, many legends center on the aligning of the planets and some report the year as 2012. Many Bible scholars, and others also, report whatever you call it: Armageddon, the rapture, or whatever... the end is near, doom is imminent, and the world as we know it just can't survive that much longer. There have been stories of this type for thousands of years, each generation facing doom, including movies to exploit that fear and anticipation for as long as we have been making movies, and even beyond with such fantasies portrayed even on radio with such episodes as the infamous Orson Wells rendition of The War of the Worlds.

The newest movie to bring back the drama, the fear if you will, of the end of the world is Sony Pictures' rendition. The feature film, directed by Roland Emmerich, is an almost 3-hour, non-stop, thought-provoking special effects-filled adventure that does something unique; in a world hell-bent on destruction and selfish desires, we are reminded that, in what we do for the least of these, it is as if we do it unto God.

2012 features a star-studded cast that has in part John Cusack playing Jackson Curtis, a divorced father seeking to maintain his fatherly relationship with his children, while at the same time never really giving up on his dreams as an author. He has written one book that has sold few copies, but has had an impact on several individuals. One of them is Dr. Adrian Helmsley, played by wonderful actor Chiwetel Ejiofor. Dr. Helmsley, a geologist, has been researching sun spots and their effect on the earth. After some rather conclusive evidence it comes to the attention of those involved in the study that the earth's crust will soon go through changes that will cause drastic change to the earth, even ultimate destruction. Upon notification to the proper authorities by Dr. Helmsley, a secret venture takes place by the politicians of the world to save some, while at the same time letting others fight for themselves, all unknown to Dr. Helmsley. Along the way, we also have Curtis fighting to save his former wife, Kate, played by Amanda Pete, her new husband, and his own two children. Other characters play small but important roles in the film; included among those is the President of the United States played by Danny Glover, and Charlie Frost, an eccentric pirate radio operator played wonderfully by Woody Harrelson who has forewarned the populace of the imminent doom. We also have Oliver Platt playing the part of nasty Washington politician Carl Anheuser.

There are several themes addressed in 2012. One of the premises is the power of corruption and how it drives society. Much of what happens around the world is driven by the desire to obtain power, whether politically or economically. One of the dangers portrayed in 2012 is how even those who have made significant contribution to work towards the salvation of humanity are often left behind. Many times these individuals who have made significant contribution are not valued, or appreciated, especially in a world so absorbed with self. The greater need of the planet becomes secondary in comparison to the need of the individual to those who have garnered power.

Continue: 1 2