San Andreas Film Review

                    San Andreas

    Nothing could prepare you for what is coming. This 2015 film starring The Rock is an edge of your seat disaster movie. But while things seem grim, there are messages to take away here.

    Positive Elements: Ray takes his job seriously and never shies away from putting himself in danger. He’s also a loving father to his college aged daughter Blake. They say “I love you” to each other on several occasions. Ray saves a bunch of people  in multiple perilous scenes and calms them down. He comes to Emma’s rescue and cares for her safety above his own.

    Communication in marriage is a theme here. It’s shown through Ray and his separated wife Emma. When Emma announces she’s moving in with a guy named Daniel, Ray shows concern. However, he apologizes to her for his actions. They help each other throughout the earthquake. Ray and Emma discuss their feelings regarding a previous tragedy.

    Blake is a sacrificial soul, not a damsel in distress. She’s a critical thinker, putting her life on the line for brothers Ben and Ollie. Blake comforts Ollie during the perilous scenes. In return, Ben and Ollie save Blake several times too.

    Many minor characters lead others to safety during the dangerous scenes. An old couple embraces each other when a tsunami is heading their way, never leaving one behind. One scientist saves a little girl during the chaos.

    Sensual Content: When Blake is introduced, she’s wearing a bikini. As alluded, Emma and Daniel are planning to move in together. There are some background female characters that wear tight, revealing outfits. Emma and Ray kiss, as do Blake and Ben.

    Violence: This being a disaster flick, multiple perilous scenes abound. The opening sequence manifests a teen girl’s car dangling from the mountain side. Ray and his crew arrive to rescue her. Ray’s teammate’s shoulder is crushed while stabilizing the car, making him cry out in pain.

    The main characters are frequently in peril. Blocks of concrete fall during a quake in the parking garage, crushing several vehicles. Blake’s legs get stuck for some time before Ben and Ollie come to her rescue. Electrical wires are thrown about and cause major fires. Building chunks fall from high ground and tall structures topple to the concrete road.

    Some characters are wounded too. One woman sits in the street with blood on her leg before Ray picks her up. Emma has a bloody nose for some scenes. Ben is injured when a piece of glass gets stuck in his leg.

    Many characters die (though most of these are insinuated, not shown). One character is crushed by a ship’s cargo storage. The tsunami scene drifts into dangerous territory when Ray and Emma are nearly crushed by a huge ship and its cargo. Boats are rolled back by the high waves and the San Francisco Bridge receives a vicious beating. Another character has his foot impaled by a metal spear in the road.

    When their plane runs out of gas, Emma and Ray skydive over San Francisco landing safely. During the action, Ray is seen with quite a few bruises. A baseball stadium collapses, but no one is injured. The climax scene features Ben, Ollie and Blake swimming in high water. Blake nearly drowns before Ray saves her. She coughs up water, signaling that she is okay.

    (Spoiler Warning): We later find out what caused Emma and Ray to drift apart: their youngest daughter Mallory was killed in a boating accident. Flashback scenes show Ray upset as Mallory drowns, knowing he can’t save her.

    Language: One f-word is said, along with multiple uses of God’s name, Jesus’ name, b—ch, a—, h—, d—n, and the s-word.

    Drugs/Alcohol: Some characters are shown drinking champagne and other alcoholic beverages before the earthquake hits.

    Other Negative Elements: Daniel selfishly leaves Blake behind in a damaged parking garage and pushes people out of the way to seek shelter for himself. During the earthquake, people steal items such as TVs and trucks.

    Conclusion: San Andreas really captured my heart. Unlike some disaster movies (The Day After Tomorrow comes to mind) that heavily preach against global warming, this flick treads in a different direction. The film repeatedly states that family is beneficial.

    Sure, we see several intense action scenes and hear some rough language. But those minor issues don’t overshadow the theme of family. As Blake, Ollie and Ben work together, we see their friendship blossom. The three characters protect each other and offer insightful information.

    For Ray and Emma, the earthquake brings them closer together. As they talk through Mallory’s death, both gain understanding. Their marriage is possibly restored after the film’s end.

    Indeed, family is more beneficial than material wealth. We can’t replace our families, but treasure every moment with them. Family sticks together and San Andreas is proof of that.

    Viewers may roll their eyes at the predictable action scenes and overused special effects/CGI. But for those who need a reminder that family is necessary, San Andreas fits the bill quite nicely.