Director Roland Emmerich would like you to go see his new film, “2012,” and you probably will. I’d be remiss to say this would be a terrible mistake, but the ultimate disaster film is not without its flaws.

The film reaches its height of appeal just before potential audiences fall awkwardly into the sad realization that Emmerich stands at the helm of the big-budget picture—after this point it is probably too late to decide against the film, which would be more appropriate if named “I Didn’t Get It Right with ‘The Day After Tomorrow’ So Why the Hell Not Try Again?” This much-hyped new release shares too many parallels with the director’s previous work, though it clearly one-ups its predecessor. Seeing the earth crumble into itself as it unforgivingly swallows landmarks, cars, and digitally-rendered people is far more impressive and frightening than the world’s most freakish winter storm will ever be.

The biggest improvement Emmerich’s “2012” sports over his earlier disaster film is that the director has abandoned his dream of forcing audiences to endure the sappiness of Dennis Quaid looking for Maggie or Jake Gyllenhaal (I don’t care to remember which). While some of the “family moments” of the new film remain a bit too saccharine, the characters of “2012” are actually likeable enough to allow audiences to accept a cheesy moment or two.

The film’s special effects prove to be too grand to question, and the most intense of the film’s action sequences are frightening enough to induce clammy hands and racing hearts among moviegoers. After this undeniable feat, though, the film’s biggest credit must be handed to its immediately likeable cast. As usual, John Cusack fails to disappoint, and Oliver Platt’s is a welcomed face throughout the film, but a great part of the film’s heart is delivered via the lesser- known actors Chiwetel Ejiofor and Thandie Newton. Also, it becomes difficult to screen the film and overlook the warm and empathic qualities that Danny Glover lends to the role of the president of the United States. Possibly the film’s most pleasant surprise comes in the form of Woody Harrelson playing a half-deranged, half-insightful mountain man/disc jockey with a fridge full of pickles and cheap beer.

Overall, “2012” is definitely worth the ticket price, despite the occasional plot hole and implausible escapes managed by the characters. If the promise of an adept cast and spectacular special effects is not sufficiently enticing, “2012” also guarantees to feed rather effectively upon the average person’s fear of a potential doomsday.