Greenland: A Deep Dive into the Disaster Thriller
1. Introduction and Overview
"Greenland" is a 2020 disaster thriller film directed by Ric Roman Waugh. The movie follows the Garrity family, played by Gerard Butler, Morena Baccarin, and Roger Dale Floyd, as they navigate a planet-threatening comet hurtling towards Earth. As they race against time to reach shelter in Greenland, they face numerous obstacles that test their will to survive in the face of impending doom.
2. Plot Summary
The movie begins with John Garrity (Gerard Butler), his wife Allison (Morena Baccarin), and their son Nathan (Roger Dale Floyd) receiving a presidential alert instructing them to evacuate to a military bunker in Greenland due to a massive comet named Clarke heading towards Earth. Amidst chaos and panic, the Garrity family embarks on a treacherous journey to reach safety while facing various dangers and challenges along the way.
3. Character Analysis
John Garrity, portrayed by Gerard Butler, is a structural engineer who must navigate his family through the chaos and destruction caused by the approaching comet. His character evolves from a somewhat estranged husband and father to a determined and protective figure as he fights to keep his family safe. Allison, played by Morena Baccarin, showcases resilience and strength as she supports her husband and son through the harrowing ordeal. Nathan, portrayed by Roger Dale Floyd, embodies innocence and vulnerability, adding a layer of emotional depth to the family's struggle.
4. Directorial Style
Ric Roman Waugh brings a sense of urgency and tension to "Greenland" through his directorial style. The film is filled with intense sequences and heart-pounding moments that keep viewers on the edge of their seats. Waugh's use of tight shots and fast-paced editing enhances the feeling of impending disaster, creating a gripping viewing experience.
5. Themes and Messages
"Greenland" explores themes of survival, family, and humanity in the face of cataclysmic events. The movie delves into the lengths people will go to protect their loved ones and the resilience of the human spirit when faced with seemingly insurmountable challenges. It also touches on themes of redemption and sacrifice as the characters confront their pasts and make difficult decisions for the greater good.
6. Critical Reception
"Greenland" received mixed reviews from critics upon its release. While some praised the film for its gripping action sequences and emotional performances, others criticized its formulaic plot and predictable storyline. However, Gerard Butler's performance and the film's intense atmosphere were widely appreciated, making it a compelling watch for fans of disaster movies.
7. Cultural Impact
Despite its mixed reviews, "Greenland" found success with audiences and became a popular choice for fans of disaster thrillers. The film's exploration of human nature under extreme circumstances resonated with viewers, sparking discussions about survival instincts and the importance of family bonds in times of crisis.
8. Where to Watch
"Greenland" is available to stream on various platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Google Play Movies, and YouTube Movies. Viewers can also rent or purchase the film on these platforms to enjoy the gripping tale of the Garrity family's fight for survival.
9. Conclusion
In conclusion, "Greenland" offers a thrilling and emotional journey into the heart of a disaster scenario, showcasing the strength of the human spirit in the face of overwhelming odds. With its intense action sequences, compelling performances, and poignant themes, the film stands out as a captivating addition to the disaster thriller genre, providing viewers with a tense and gripping viewing experience.
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If you enjoy reading my Spoiler-Free reviews, please follow my blog @ https://www.msbreviews.com This type of movie is always rather divisive between critics and audiences simply due to its nature. Story-wise, it's never groundbreaking or innovative in any shape or form. These apocalyptic films always follow a formulaic screenplay, packed with logical inconsistencies, but also with tons of thrilling action. Visuals vary in quality depending on the studio, as well as sound design and other technical aspects. I always try my best to accept *everything* these movies throw irrationally at the viewer. I prepare myself to be as open-minded as I can, and usually, I have no issues with that (actually, I find the "that's not how science works" argument a bit nitpicky in this subgenre). However, Greenland fails to deliver the only thing I did expect from it: a planet-killer comet of pure popcorn entertainment. The only positive aspects are the cast and two/three sequences genuinely exciting. Gerard Butler is already used to this sort of film (Has Fallen series, Geostorm), so he has no problems in portraying another thin character with no real motivations or depth. Same goes for Morena Baccarin, who simply plays the wife of Butler. Both deliver good performances, enough to keep me engaged until the end of the flick. The few good sequences are really good. Little scraps of the giant comet hit Earth before the extinction-level event, and these look great. Nevertheless, just this for a 119-minute runtime is far from being satisfying. As expected, Chris Sparling's screenplay is as generic as it could be, just like Ric Roman Waugh's direction, which doesn't really offer anything remotely new. Some narrative decisions (not related to science or technology because these I just accepted as part of the usual illogical stuff) are definitely to pass the time since they have no consequences whatsoever. Greenland is precisely like dozens of other movies in the subgenre, but without the technical aspects that end up elevating the overall picture. The VFX look dated in some sequences, almost like they didn't have enough time (or money) to finish them. I mean, a static image of a meteorite shower as the sky? Really? Sadly, this comes across as amateur and lazy. The absence of a powerful score (David Buckley) makes the action scenes feel "empty", like something is missing. A few fighting moments are pretty much impossible to see clearly due to the overly dark environment and choppy editing (Gabriel Fleming). Overall, the action walks the line between decent and terrible. However, the most significant "slap in the face" is the planet-killer comet that everyone is going to look forward to as soon as they enter the theater. There's no way of working around this: if an entire film builds up a third act's massive comet of the side of Europe, it must show it hit the ground in all of its splendor. The gigantic explosion of ridiculous proportions, the endless smoke that fills up the whole atmosphere, the distinctive sound of the impact... This is the moment that can make or break any apocalyptic movie. Unfortunately, and I'm only going to write this, it broke. In the end, Greenland is predictably underwhelming, packing only a couple of genuinely exciting sequences, and a decent cast. Gerard Butler and Morena Baccarin try, but they're not enough to compensate for everything else. As expected, Chris Sparling's formulaic screenplay doesn't add a unique storyline or innovative aspect to the genre, as well as Ric Roman Waugh's basic direction. This would all be fine if the action delivered what most people want to see, but sadly, this component is also quite a letdown. Despite a few occasional, riveting scenes, the entertainment levels are pretty low due to the unimpressive visual effects, lack of a powerful score, and poor editing, culminating in a "viewing-killer" disappointment. If you absolutely love apocalyptic films, maybe you'll find something enjoyable about it that I didn't. However, if this type of movie doesn't suit your preferences, then this one surely isn't going to convert you. Rating: D+
Briskly paced and littered with jagged, realistic edges though it is, 'Greenland' ultimately imagines a very sentimental planetary extinction. Perhaps the highest compliment I can pay this film is that it's far better than the annual paint-by-numbers Gerard Butler movie that humanity is used to receiving. - Jake Watt Read Jake's full article... https://www.maketheswitch.com.au/article/review-greenland-a-gerard-butler-flick-that-isnt-a-disaster
“Greenland” ranks well above average when it comes to disaster movies. Screenwriter Chris Sparling takes the traditional end of the world blueprint and inserts some really nice surprises and twists, making this formulaic action flick seem not as much so. John (Gerard Butler) is in a race against time to save his wife (Morena Baccarin) and son (Roger Dale Floyd) from an alien killer comet that is hurtling towards Earth. The impact of the big one is expected in less than 24 hours, and there seems to be no hope for any survivors. While at the grocery store, John gets a terrifying message from the Department of Homeland Security alerting him that his family has been chosen to flee to a safe haven bunker in Greenland. As the trio attempt to get to the designated location, a lot starts to go wrong. Director Ric Roman Waugh worked with Butler on “Angel Has Fallen,” and he is a good choice at the helm. He creates a world of increasing panic and lawlessness, and you’re right there along for the ride. The movie has a brisk pacing, and the stakes are high. The special effects are satisfying, especially the scenes of destruction. That is, after all, why most of us watch movies about catastrophes in the first place. Even more admirable is that the film doesn’t fall into the trap of the typical “rah rah” patriotic disaster movie. There are no waving American flags, no slow motion masculine strutting. Instead, “Greenland” sets its bar at a much higher level, and it succeeds. This is a really well done, enjoyable popcorn movie.
Cue the epic music... and exactly the same elements, acting, cinematography, and script that are in nearly every disaster movie in the last 20 years.