Greenland
Release Date: 18th December 2020 - Australia (Amazon Prime)
Production Companies
STX Films (present)
Anton (present)
G-BASE
Riverstone Pictures (in association with)
Elwick Media (produced in association with)
Laura Macara (produced in association with)
Hassik Films (developed in association with)
Genre: Action/Thriller
Rating: M
Runtime: 119 minutes
Budget: $35,000,000
Box Office Gross: $52,300,000 (Worldwide)
Plot Summary
hurtles towards Earth,
one family struggles to
survive. John Garrity and
his family - his estranged
wife, Allison, and his
young son, Nathan -
embark on a dangerous
journey to their only
hope of refuge. The
Garritys experience the
best and worst of humanity
as they battle the growing
around them, amid
chilling reports that the
comet's fragments have
flattened the cities
worldwide. As the clock
ticks down to the world's
doomsday, their incredible
journey concludes with
a desperate, last-minute
sanctuary.
Cast
Gerard Butler - John Garrity
Morena Baccarin - Allison Garrity
Roger Dale Floyd - Nathan Garrity
Scott Glenn - Dale
Randal Gonzalez - Bobby
Rick Pasqualone - National News Anchor
Nicola Lambo - Morning Show Host
Alan Pietruszewski -
Morning Show Host
Claire Bronson - Debra Jones
Madison Johnson - Ellie Jones
Gary Weeks - Ed Pruitt
Tracey Bonner - Peggy Pruitt
Merrin Dungey - Major
Breen
Brandon Miller - Security Forces Sergeant
Mike Senior - Staff Sergeant Ruiz
Hayes Mercure - Young Airman
Esosa Idahosa - Military Escort
Keegan G. Boos - Military Escort
Andrew Huntoon - Robins AFB
Airman
Jarrett Spencer - Security
Forces Airman
Kurt Yue - C-17 Loadmaster
Kermit Rolson - Man with Gun
Brandon Quinn - Passenger on C-17
Okea Eme-Akwari - James - Nice Looter
Gabriela DeNardo - Looter
Hope Davis - Judy Vento
David Denman - Ralph Vento
Joshua Mikel - Lucas
James Logan - Micah
Randall Archer - Brian
Jay Amor - Blue-Collar Man
Thomas Rosales Jr. -
Hispanic Driver
Rose Bianco - Matriarch
Aaron Gillespie - McGhee Tyson Soldier
Cate Jones - McGhee Tyson Soldier
Tanya Ballinger - F.E.M.A. Worker
Kendrick Cross - F.E.M.A. Worker
Rebecca
Leeann Tweeden - Regional
News Anchor
Al Mitchell - Ben
Marc Gowan - Paul
Carlos Lopez - Xavier
Holt McCallany - Twin Otter Pilot
Adam Cronan - Twin Otter
Co-Pilot
Jamie Andrews - Mother on Plane
Susan Williams - Passenger
Otis Winston - Snow Soldier
Danielle Williams - Bunker Airman
Crew
Director - Ric Roman Waugh
Writer - Chris Sparling
Executive Producers - Nik Bower,
Brendon Boyea, François Callens, Adam Fogelson,
John Friedberg, Jonathan Fuhrman, Deepak Nayar,
Danielle Robinson, Robert Simonds and John Zois
Executive Producer/Unit Production Manager -
Carsten H.W. Lorenz
Producers - Gerard Butler, Alan Siegel,
Basil Iwanyk and Sébastien Raybaud
Co-Producer - Bill Wohlken
Co-Producer/First Assistant Director - K.C. Hodenfield
Casting Directors - Mary Vernieu and
Michelle Wade Byrd
Production Designer - Clay A. Griffith
Supervising Art Director - Cathy Maxey
Set Decorator - Frank Galline
Property Master - Curtis Akin
Costume Designer - Kelli Jones
Director of Photography/"A" Camera Operator -
Dana Gonzales
Second Unit Director (Uncredited)/Stunt
Coordinator - Brad Martin
Special Effects Coordinator - Joe Pancake
Visual Effects Supervisor - Marc Massicotte
Editor - Gabriel Fleming
Additional Editor - Rowan Maher
Supervising Sound Designer - Victor Ray Ennis
Re-Recording Mixers - Beau Borders
and Scott Millan
Music - David Buckley
Music Supervisor - Laura Katz
Review
It's been years since I last saw a good disaster movie, but GREENLAND is a welcome return to form. Originally scheduled for a mid-2020 theatrical release, the film did not proceed as planned due to the global pandemic. Instead, it found a new home on Amazon Prime. Truth be told, I've never reviewed a movie on that streaming service, as I normally watch them on Netflix or Disney+. Before the release of GREENLAND, disaster films were nothing to
write home about, as they tended to prioritise spectacle over substance,
featuring implausible scenarios, stilted dialogue, and one-dimensional
characters. Thankfully, it avoided the stereotypical cliches that plagued other disaster films, such as 2012 and Geostorm, reinventing the genre with its personal storytelling and human drama.
The movie is more grounded than other asteroid-themed disaster flicks, such as Armageddon and Deep Impact. It tells the story of a family's harrowing journey to survive the coming extinction, as circumstances tear them apart amid chaos and destruction. It serves as an apology to the lead actor, Gerard Butler, who previously appeared in the disaster movie Geostorm, which did him no favours. With director Ric Roman Waugh, who has previously collaborated with the Scottish actor on Angel Has Fallen, they brought a movie that's both intriguing and impressive. Whereas other disaster films focus solely on spectacle, Waugh relies heavily on emotional intensity and authenticity to create GREENLAND, shunning the typical traditional approach. It was a bold choice to reveal humanity's darker side, including panic, desperation, and moral dilemmas, but it adds depth and makes the film more compelling.
The cast did a wonderful job, particularly Butler and Morena Baccarin. The former is a crucial component of the film's success, as he delivers a spectacular performance as a desperate father grappling with tough decisions to keep his family safe. Baccarin excels as Allison, the mother, infusing the role with genuine emotion and inner strength. Their chemistry is nothing short of spectacular. Roger Dale Floyd's performance as the deeply traumatised young Nathan Gerrity is captivating, especially during tense family moments. Scott Glenn's brief but impactful appearance late in the film is a highlight. At 81, Glenn's performance proves he still has what it takes.
The comet impacts feel genuinely terrifying thanks to a restrained yet effective use of CGI that does not overshadow the human story. However, those expecting Emmerich-style action will be disappointed that this film doesn't feature much large-scale destruction.
While it conforms purely to all the cliches of a disaster film on first viewing, it is absolutely worth watching. However, there is much more to GREENLAND once it reveals itself to viewers.
Star rating: (8/10) Very Good Movie
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