Film Review - Greenland (2020)

What could have been a by the number’s end of days disaster spectacle defers into a heart-warming yet frantic family stays together thriller with multiple plot components and undeniable emotive acting from two committed leads.

Paisley*, Scotland born Gerard Butler (using his own accent here) as skyscraper architect John Garrity, set for reconciliation with his wife Allison (Morena Baccarin) and young son Nathan (Roger Dale Floyd) hoping to amend a past indiscretion.

Meanwhile, an enormous comet of gigantic proportions named ‘Clarke’ by the astronomy experts is hurtling towards earth putting a deadline on life itself, something in the vicinity of seventy-five percent global extinction.

Fragments of Clarke are busting up in the atmosphere, spraying all over the planet causing pre-chaos which triggers a Presidential Alert to selected families offering escape and shelter in Greenland, where bunkers are ready to go.

Although the Garrity’s are selected, circumstances separate the trio with a whole array of obstacles preventing them from being together; for now.

Violent chaotic situations of looting or panic in the streets are intriguing at times, whilst in the middle of it all there’s a random, shocking kidnapping.

Morena and Gerard, extremely good, emotional and believable. Small roles from legend Scott Glenn and reliable Hope Davis, effective, each in opposing ways. Look fast for multitalented, Anissa Matlock briefly standing out amongst the pandemonium as a military officer.

With few lapses throughout, it was a blast to see this somewhat grounded limited budget action thriller by stunt veteran, Director, Ric Roman Waugh.