San Andreas - movie review

I first saw San Andreas in theaters, and I remember having a blast with it—so much so that I decided to revisit it recently. Even on a rewatch, it holds up as a solid piece of popcorn entertainment.

We Love a Good Disaster

Disaster movies have always been a bit of a guilty pleasure for me. They let you shut off real-world worries and get swept up in pure spectacle, with larger-than-life scenarios that keep you glued to the screen. San Andreas fits neatly into that tradition, much like The Day After Tomorrow or 2012, both of which thrive on jaw-dropping destruction and moments that make you catch your breath.

The Simple Plot

The story itself is simple but effective: after a massive earthquake devastates California, rescue pilot Ray (Dwayne Johnson) sets out on a desperate mission to save his estranged wife, played by Carla Gugino (Gerald's Game), and their daughter.

That family focus gives the movie an emotional core that helps balance out all the crumbling skyscrapers and collapsing bridges. It reminded me a lot of how Twister centered its tornado mayhem around the relationship between its two leads, or how Armageddon tied world-ending stakes to a father-daughter bond.

What are those buildings made of?

Sure, the science is wildly exaggerated—entire cities falling like dominoes, tsunamis racing through San Francisco—but that’s part of the genre’s DNA.

It’s no more far-fetched than Manhattan freezing solid in The Day After Tomorrow or the earth’s crust shifting in 2012. The trick is that once you surrender to the spectacle, the movie does its job: it keeps you entertained.

It's not just Cities Falling Apart

What helps San Andreas stand out is how it blends that spectacle with moments of intimacy. Johnson and Gugino have a surprisingly grounded chemistry amid all the chaos, which makes their survival journey more engaging than it has any right to be.

Like many disaster films, the movie leans on the “ordinary family caught in extraordinary circumstances” formula, but it does so with enough heart to keep you invested.

A Good Escape

Ultimately, San Andreas isn’t trying to reinvent the genre, but it’s a fun and satisfying entry in it.

If you enjoyed the planet-sized disasters of 2012 or even the survival drama of newer shows like La Brea, this one hits the same sweet spot: a mix of adrenaline, escapism, and just enough human drama to make the destruction matter.

Comments

Timeless – A Sci-Fi Adventure Cut Short but Ending on a High Note

NBC's Timeless blends history, action, and character-driven storytelling into a thrilling time-travel adventure. Despite its premature cancellation, the show delivers an emotionally satisfying conclusion. It proves that even an unfinished journey can leave a lasting impact. Mystery Through Time The story follows historian Lucy Preston (Abigail Spencer), soldier Wyatt Logan (Matt Lanter), and engineer Rufus Carlin (Malcolm Barrett). They chase a mysterious organization, Rittenhouse , through time. Their mission? To prevent history from being rewritten. They add the moral dilemmas of altering the past to an already difficult task. The show brilliantly balances historical events with sci-fi elements. Its fast-paced, high-stakes storytelling keeps viewers engaged. Great Characters make Great Stories One of Timeless ' greatest strengths lies in its characters. Rufus, in particular, stands out as the relatable everyman. His humor, intelligence, and real fear of the dangers ahead...

Review: Billie Eilish: Unfiltered – A Shallow, Soulless Recap Pretending to Be a Documentary

Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5) If you're expecting Billie Eilish: Unfiltered to offer an intimate look into the life, artistry, or creative process of one of Gen Z’s most influential pop icons, prepare to be disappointed. This so-called documentary barely scratches the surface, delivering little more than a dry, lifeless rundown of Billie Eilish 's discography, awards, and chart performances. At best, it's a glorified Wikipedia entry with background music. At worst, it’s a wasted hour of potential. Unfiltered? The documentary lacks narrative depth, personal insight, or any meaningful exploration of who Billie Eilish is beyond her resume. Rather than providing behind-the-scenes footage, raw interviews, or critical commentary, Unfiltered relies on a monotonous narrator reeling off her achievements like items on a grocery list. There are occasional quotes from Billie herself, but they’re so brief and context-free they feel like filler material. For a documentary claiming to be “u...

Raising Voices - Why Alma's Mom Had the Right Reaction

In Netflix’s Raising Voices , there's a raw, emotionally charged moment when Alma confesses to her mom that something happened the night she disappeared — she was drunk, she had sex, and something didn’t feel right. It’s the kind of moment that many parents dread. But Alma’s mom handled it in a way that deserves attention. She didn’t panic. She didn’t judge. She didn’t lose control. Instead, she met her daughter halfway, which made all the difference. What Happened in the Scene? When Alma opened up to her mom, she wasn’t just confessing — she was testing the waters for safety. Could she trust her mom with the truth? Would she still be loved after saying something shameful, scary, or confusing? Her mom’s response wasn’t perfect — but it was real. She was concerned, but didn’t explode. She asked questions. She listened. She let the moment breathe. Why That Reaction Matters Technically, what Alma described can be considered sexual assault , given her level of intoxication. Bu...

All Forms of Art

Search This Blog