Greenland 2’s Trailer Forgets What Made the First Gerard Butler Movie a Secret Apocalyptic Masterpiece

by

In 2020, starred as John Garrity in Greenland, a disaster movie that managed to sidestep common pitfalls. The film faced a bumpy road to release, with multiple delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Ultimately, it bypassed a traditional cinema release in the United States and went straight to streaming after being acquired by HBO. Considering these challenges, the Ric Roman Waugh-directed film easily could have been overlooked, like many others at the time. However, Greenland surprisingly resonated with both critics and audiences, becoming a well-regarded modern apocalyptic film. As a result, a sequel was developed.

The possibility of continuing the story of the Garrity family in Greenland 2: Migration was first revealed in June 2021, and not everyone was thrilled, including lead actress Morena Baccarin. The original movie offered a satisfying conclusion, ending with a sense of hope for the Garrity family and for all of humanity. So, the announcement of a sequel naturally led people to ask: What could the sequel possibly be about? Many apocalyptic TV shows provide the answer easily. The initial disaster is just the beginning; the most compelling part is what happens afterward, as people struggle to rebuild after society collapses and confront the harsh realities of the new world. The early promotional material hints at this, but there’s a significant concern already causing some worry.

Greenland Topples the Disaster Genre Tropes

It’s easy to get lost in a sea of forgettable films. These movies often use the same formula: an ordinary main character who becomes the hero, vulnerable family members they’re trying to save, and lots of special effects. At first glance, Greenland seems to follow this predictable pattern. Butler is a well-known action star and plays the leading role, spending the whole movie protecting his wife and son as a comet approaches Earth. However, Greenland quickly breaks away from these clichés, offering a more unique take on the disaster movie genre.

It’s easy to see why Butler would typically play a leading man, but John is anything but. He’s an ordinary person simply trying to protect his family, and he ends up reluctantly fighting to do so. However, when he *does* fight, he’s clumsy, worried, and visibly uncomfortable. He dislikes violence and would much rather find a peaceful solution. Even during a chaotic time, he usually makes the right decisions, but he’s also just one of many people struggling and afraid. If he hadn’t been the leader of Greenland, he’d have been lost in the crowd like everyone else. In fact, he intentionally blends in. The same holds true for his wife. The characters are equals; neither one is portrayed as stronger than the other. Baccarin’s character, Allison, is just as frightened as her husband. But, like John, she would do anything – even risk her life – to keep her family safe.

The typical nature of the suburban family makes the film’s basic idea feel believable. The actual disaster simply provides the setting for the real story: a family’s struggle to remain decent people. Throughout the film, John and Allison constantly face challenges that test their values. Greenland makes viewers consider how they would react during a large-scale crisis. By limiting the special effects to just a few moments, the film presents a more relatable story with realistic behaviors. While viewers might not connect with a comet endangering humanity, the COVID-19 pandemic has given people a better understanding of how people respond when their lives are threatened.

Greenland 2: Migration Strays Away From the First Film’s Intention

It seems Greenland 2: Migration falls short in its initial trailer. The trailer is clearly edited to highlight the most action-packed and visually impressive scenes. While trailers sometimes don’t accurately reflect the entire film to attract viewers, this one makes Greenland 2: Migration appear more like a . Set five years after a comet devastated Earth, the story focuses on characters navigating extreme weather and dangerous environmental conditions.

The environment is plagued by radiation storms, featuring both lightning and powerful winds, which make outdoor travel difficult. Small fragments of comets streak across the sky, appearing like fiery trails. We also see the Garrity family crossing a windy and fragile bridge, precariously connected to shaky mountains high above the ground.

It’s easy to get caught up in how fun these scenes seem, but the movie feels like a guilty pleasure. The amazing visuals and spectacle take center stage, overshadowing the human stories – which is what originally set Greenland apart from other disaster films. The first movie’s core challenge – John and Allison’s son having diabetes – significantly complicated their search for shelter, making things much more difficult.

In Greenland 2: Migration, John and Allison are trying to find a new, safe place to live – one that’s free from harmful substances and can support life for years to come. Many movies and TV shows with similar themes already exist. So, what sets Greenland 2: Migration apart?

A movie trailer only shows a small part of the full film, so it’s probably too early to say how the story will develop. Will it be a visually spectacular and fast-paced thriller with grand ambitions, or will it focus on a more realistic and relatable story, similar to the original? Viewers will have to wait until its release in January to find out. We’ll see!

Greenland 2: Migration releases on January 9, 2026.

Read More

2025-10-01 04:37