This sci-fi disaster film was released in March of 2009 where it impressively earned
back over three times its $50 million dollar budget.
Beginning as an intriguing mystery with a tinge of horror to it, Direct Alex Proyas
shares the fascinating story of man who comes into possession of a list of dates; all prophesizing
major disasters, and eventually, the end of all life itself.
Nicolas Cage stars as a widowed astrophysics professor at MIT, and single father: who discovers
this mysterious disaster calendar after his son retrieves it via a 50-year-old time capsule
at his elementary school.
The preliminary disasters that build up the movie's brazen conclusion are grippingly shot,
albeit with some less-than-stellar visual effects: a plane crash sequence near a highway
traffic accident is convincingly shot in a single, long take, with Cage running from
one burning victim to the next, attempting to save lives from a disaster he knew would
happen.
Later, a
New York subway car becomes derailed, killing dozens, in a furious and exciting sequence
that plays out like the gratuitous opening to a "Final Destination" picture.
Marco Beltrami's haunting score helps nerves on edge, but this 121 minute film is hardly
on the same scale as other disaster pictures, keeping this focused on Cage's family and
friends: rarely widening out to show the larger portrait of a doomed mankind.
The overall story suffers as a result, but the trade-off results in a deeper emotional
impact, vis a vis, the central characters.
As the mature, smart-alec son of Cage, Chandler Canterbury does a terrific job with a complicated
role... going toe to toe with Academy Award winning adult counterpart, and delivering
some of the creepier moments in the script that can feel particularly unnerving.
Rose Byrne, Lara Robinson, and Ben Mendelsohn round out the small cast, but I can't say
I was particularly impressed with their unmemorable performances.
Cage is notorious for his unique project-choices, and hammy acting: but fortunately, both serve
him well here: this is an extremely original and engaging movie - where his scenery-chewing
line delivery feels right at home.
With plot holes abound, and numerous story threads left largely unanswered, the ending
to this picture will surprise many, frustrate others, and delight the rest.
Built on the premise of a list of arbitrarily selected numbers, the greater message here
reflects the title: and whether or not we have a responsibility to save lives we know
to be in danger.
A reflection on the human condition in the final hours of existence, the final scenes
of this movie are poignant, and relatable.
Bouncing from disaster-epic to horror mystery, back to a sci-fi think-piece, this movie rarely
finds sturdy footing, resulting in an entertaining, and enjoyable experience, but ultimately,
the scattershot deliver is unevenly paced.
Worth re-watching only after you've forgotten the uniquely different final act, "Knowing",
"Refreshing concept, if intermittently dramatic."
Now lets read some of your reviews from the YouTube comments.
A FIVE and a SEVEN on the Rate-o-matic.
Your opinions were extremely mixed for "Knowing", some thought Cage was at the top of his game,
others moaned over his famously cheesy performance - and while many liked the concept, you hated
the execution, especially the ending.
In a rare occurrence, I scored the movie two points higher: the twist ending is an original
one, and while I understand why many didn't care for it, I appreciated this brave decision,
and was entertained by the exciting events leading up to it.
Despite some glaring faults, I thought this was a COOL film.