In the overly dramatized, dystopian style that we’ve come to know and love, San Andreas opens with death, destruction and convenience to the max. Though lacking in logic, it follows like any good “end of the world” movie, featuring killer special effects and the deadly power of Mother Nature.

San Andreas follows the story of Ray Gaines (Dwayne Johnson), a fire department rescue pilot who has an undying loyalty to his estranged wife, Emma (Carla Gugino) and daughter Blake (Alexandra Daddario). Switching back and forth between Ray in Los Angeles, Blake in San Francisco and the scientists (among them, Paul Giamatti) predicting the earthquakes, the audience views the catastrophic destruction promised in the jaw-dropping trailer.

Understandably, movies like this are meant to be dramatized and have more chaos than plotline, but it seems to have missed most of the script as well. Most of the story and dialog came in at the beginning to kickstart and then at the end to wrap up the movie. Of course, there was the occasional line to attempt character development, yet not nearly enough. I didn’t have a problem with that at all, I enjoy a good movie of action and havoc. It was pretty dramatic, like Day After Tomorrow level of dramatic, with incredible CGI scenes of Califorinia crumbling before our eyes.

For the most part, each person (not including the extras) was more concerned with their own safety and the main character’s desire to protect his family led to a lucky streak. At each obstacle, the movie magic of convenience kicked in. They crash the plane and are covered in fuel? Don’t worry, they landed in a clothing store. Waters rising and his daughter begins to drown, but the door is blocked by debris? Have no fear, the sheer power of will and Johnson’s muscles will save the day. A certain amount of convenience is expected, but I feel they may have strayed into too convenient territory.

Despite its faults (ha, pun intended), the movie displayed good action and a strong female lead. I enjoyed it and regard it as another new end of the world film.

Rating: B+

Aside: With an idea that was originally based off of the San Andreas Fault, there is some, small truth to the movie. The fault line, where two tectonic plates meet and iextends more than 800 miles across Calfironia, has caused a number of earthquakes in the past. However, the extensive damage in the film was deeply dramatized and should an actual earthquake ever occur there, the greatest magnitude the fault could ever produce was estimated to be an 8.3. Scientists reassure that while there is some truth, most is minute. For more information on what the movie got wrong or right and some more information about earthquake preparedness, go to http://earthquakecountry.org/sanandreas/. End of Aside.