There is something to be said for Hollywood's take on the "End of the world as we know it" genre..not too many films can capture the imagination AND basic human feelings. In my opinion, you must watch "Deep Impact" as an appetizer to "2012" for the whole cataclysmic effect in your mind, and how we, as the main species on Earth, can somehow achieve our salvation from impending disaster, at least in a film. "2012" will definitely have you enthralled from the beginning and have you thinking as you walk out of the theater, "what would I do?"