Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
The Rock can't quite save clichéd, violent disaster movie.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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San Andreas
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 13 parent reviews
Parents say this movie is widely criticized for being a rip-off of another film and is deemed inappropriate due to its violence and crude language. While some viewers appreciate the action and positive messages about teamwork and heroism, many feel the content is disturbing and unsuitable for younger audiences, suggesting that it's more appropriate for teens and up.
- rip-off
- inappropriate
- violence
- crude language
- positive messages
- suitable for teens
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 74 kid reviews
Kids say the film effectively captures the chaos of natural disasters, featuring impressive visual effects and strong performances, especially by the lead actor, but it's marred by excessive violence and foul language, making it unsuitable for younger viewers. While some reviews highlight its entertainment value and emotional depth, many note that the plot can be cliché and predictable, leading to mixed feelings regarding its overall quality.
- entertaining visuals
- strong performances
- excessive violence
- aged appropriately
- cliché plot
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
Los Angeles Fire Department search-and-rescue chopper pilot Ray Gaines (Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson) once lost a daughter in a river rafting accident, and now his wife, Emma (Carla Gugino), is divorcing him. Ray still has a good relationship with his surviving daughter, Blake (Alexandra Daddario), though his weekend with her is canceled when a big earthquake rocks Las Vegas. A scientist (Paul Giamatti) studies the quake and predicts that an even bigger one is going to strike all of California, along the SAN ANDREAS fault. While he tries to warn the world, Ray and Emma team up to rescue Blake from a crumbling San Francisco before it's too late.
Is It Any Good?
Despite some truly sensational visual and sound effects -- and despite The Rock's undeniable star power -- San Andreas relies early and often on a pack of disaster movie cliches. Director Brad Peyton and Johnson previously worked together on Journey 2: The Mysterious Island; it's possible that helped them develop a good working relationship. Or maybe Johnson simply knows how to act in the context of massive visual effects; either way, when Johnson is onscreen, the movie settles into comfortable silliness.
Otherwise, San Andreas crams exposition, coincidence, and bad shortcuts into the mix with half-drawn characters, and it's hard to care. Even an acclaimed actor like Giamatti can do little with his severe, warning-filled dialogue, and Ioan Gruffudd is stuck in the role of Emma's new, cowardly boyfriend, whose sole job seems to be to raise a cheer from the audience when his death scene comes. In the end, for better or for worse, rampant destruction wins the day.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about San Andreas' violence. What's the appeal of disaster movies? The enormity and frequency of massive-scale destruction can be overwhelming. Is this kind of violence more or less upsetting than gory horror movies? Why?
Is Blake a role model? She's shown to be smart and resourceful, but would her character be as compelling if she wasn't also depicted as attractive? What's the take away from that? Does she represent an unrealistic female body image?
Are there stereotypes in the movie? If so, how are they used? How are they avoided?
One of the movie's themes is the importance of family. Does that come through amid the chaos and destruction?
How does this movie compare to other "disaster movies" you may have seen? Why has this genre always been so popular? Do you think a disaster like this could occur? If so, is it better to try and prepare or better not to worry about something we can't control?
Movie Details
- In theaters : May 29, 2015
- On DVD or streaming : October 13, 2015
- Cast : Dwayne The Rock Johnson , Alexandra Daddario , Carla Gugino
- Director : Brad Peyton
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Warner Bros.
- Genre : Action/Adventure
- Run time : 107 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : intense disaster action and mayhem throughout, and brief strong language
- Last updated : December 11, 2025
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