Greenland (2020) is a disaster thriller directed by Ric Roman Waugh and stars Gerard Butler, Morena Baccarin, and Roger Dale Floyd. The film follows John Garrity (Butler), his estranged wife Allison (Baccarin), and their son Nathan (Floyd) as they struggle to survive the catastrophic impact of a comet that threatens to wipe out humanity.

Review

Pros:

1. Realistic Approach: Unlike many disaster movies, Greenland focuses more on the human aspect of survival rather than over-the-top special effects. The film emphasizes emotional tension and family dynamics, making it feel more grounded and relatable.
2. Strong Performances:
   • Gerard Butler delivers a solid, understated performance, focusing on the vulnerability of a father trying to protect his family. This role is a departure from his usual action-hero persona.
   • Morena Baccarin portrays a mother grappling with fear and desperation convincingly, adding emotional depth to the narrative.
   • Roger Dale Floyd, as their young son, brings an innocent yet pivotal presence to the family dynamic, heightening the emotional stakes.
3. Tension and Pacing: The film maintains a high level of suspense throughout, as the family navigates chaotic situations like riots, panic, and natural disasters. Each scene is designed to keep the audience on edge, with constant reminders of the imminent destruction.
4. Themes of Hope and Survival: At its core, Greenland is about resilience and the strength of family bonds in the face of global catastrophe. It highlights the moral and ethical decisions people must make when the world is collapsing, as well as the kindness and cruelty humans exhibit in extreme situations.

Cons:

1. Familiar Tropes: While the film does well to focus on human drama, it doesn’t escape typical disaster movie clichés. Elements like the military evacuations, global panic, and narrow escapes may feel predictable for viewers familiar with the genre.
2. Lack of Exploration Beyond the Main Characters: The film is tightly focused on the Garrity family, which gives it emotional intimacy, but it also limits the scope. Audiences don’t get a broader view of the global scale of the disaster, which may leave some craving more world-building.
3. Predictable Plot: Despite its gripping moments, the story unfolds in a somewhat formulaic way. The family’s journey through various obstacles follows a typical survival path, and the outcome feels inevitable from early on.

Conclusion:

Greenland succeeds as a tense, emotional disaster thriller by focusing on the survival of a single family amid global chaos. While it doesn’t reinvent the genre, its grounded approach and strong performances, particularly from Gerard Butler and Morena Baccarin, give it an edge over more spectacle-driven disaster films. If you’re looking for a more human-centered disaster movie with moments of intense suspense and heartfelt emotion, Greenland delivers.