MovieChat Forums > Greenland (2020) Discussion > Too dark and serious, not enough fun

Too dark and serious, not enough fun

posted 3 years ago by PrimeMinisterX (8443)
14 replies | jump to latest

Watched this last night. It's a well-made film but it's not really in the same vein of other disaster films like Twister, Dante's Peak, Deep Impact, etc. It's significantly more serious and darker in tone.

This film is what you get when a filmmaker says, "I want to make a disaster movie . . . but I want it to be taken seriously and I want it to have a Fresh rating on RT." In fact, they got their wish. It has a 78% on RT.

However, while I respect the competency of the craft involved, the results are simply not as fun and entertaining as the B-movie, popcorn films previously referenced. While I don't regret watching the film, it's not a movie I'll ever revisit. Instead I'll just watch Twister again for the 20th time.

[–] ColumboKate (5368) 3 years ago

I really want to see this film. It looks great from the trailer.

[–] PrimeMinisterX (8443) 3 years ago

Like I said, it's well-made. But just be prepared for it to be a serious affair rather than the usual disaster movie.

[–] [deleted] 3 years ago

I would say the end of the Earth is nothing to laugh at.

[–] PrimeMinisterX (8443) 3 years ago

Hey, neither is homes and human beings being destroyed by a tornado, but Twister is a hell of a lot of fun!

[–] [deleted] 3 years ago

Guess what? Unlike most disaster movies of the time, I've never actually seen Twister from start to finish, even after all this time. The premise sounds both boring and too close to home for many people.

[–] PrimeMinisterX (8443) 3 years ago

Oh, you're missing out. It's a great movie with an outstanding cast.

I still remember going to see it when I was a kid and I have since watched it several times. I own it on Blu-Ray.

It's a good time. We need more tornado films.

[–] troy2000me (34) 3 years ago

There is enough cheesy shitty CGI city destruction movies. This movie is way more captivating for those of us who link to think about how it would actually be to go through this.

[–] Who (5146) 3 years ago

During covid quarantine I preferred to watch more serious themed action films, rather than the fun, light hearted ones that are just released for summer entertainment. I wanted to see characters truly stressing out and dealing with the logistics of saving their loved ones.

[–] PrimeMinisterX (8443) 2 years ago

That's interesting.

On one hand, I get it. I'm sure something serious felt very relevant at the time. On the other hand, I would think something fun and escapist would be preferred as a distraction to real-world circumstances.

I remember when the pandemic was really revving up that two movies were starting rise to the top of the digital charts: Contagion and Outbreak. One was a serious, somber affair about a viral threat and the other was an over-the-top Hollywood popcorn thriller on the same theme.

I was an Outbreak guy.

[–] Strazdas (2328) 2 years ago

And a disaster movie being done seriously is awesome.

[–] acidraindrop (3055) 2 years ago

Following someone else's suggestion, I finally watched this a few months ago. Honestly, I agree with them; it's probably the best disaster film I've ever seen. And you're right, that's largely because it doesn't really embrace the b-movie feel. It's a serious film that's human-focused, centralized on the primary family. And I think that's why I found it far more enjoyable than these other films (for the record, I don't like disaster flicks).

[–] PrimeMinisterX (8443) 2 years ago

Your final statement probably sheds some light on the situation. Perhaps this is the disaster flick for people who don't like disaster flicks.

For me, Twister will likely always be king of the genre. That's such a fun movie.

[–] moviechatterer (14128) 2 years ago

I thank that final statement is a red herring , I *do* like disaster films and from the reasons raindrop gave , and some others , it sounds like this has something other flicks dont.

not to detract from Twister which is a great film .

[–] PrimeMinisterX (8443) 2 years ago

I would agree that it has something other disaster movies don't have. It IS different. I certainly don't dispute that.

The question is whether that difference provided for a superior entertainment experience.