Review of Unstoppable (2010) by Tom M — 03 Oct 2017

âUnstoppableâ? is disaster movie meets Denzel Washington, so you know eventually how Denzel is going to play it, although his near-retirement railroad employee character does manage to create some pathos for the first two-thirds of the movie as he puts co-star Chris Pineâ(TM)s troubled rookie character through the paces on his first day on the job, and trying to communicate to his daughters on a day where he might not make it home from work.

âUnstoppableâ? is based on a true story of a runaway train, and runs through its plot in a linear faction...both literally and figuratively...towards its end. But itâ(TM)s a great ride. The movie is handsome looking and loud, has some dark humor and has some real moments of tension as the characters put their lives on the line to try and stop the train, loaded with nasty chemicals, from de-railing into populated towns along the tracks. The near misses and self-sacrifices from job-weary characters, and the stupidity and rudeness of the guys who create the situation are what keep it entertaining, not just the hurtling train itself.

The odd thing you take away from the movie is the over-arching statement it makes about the thankless folks that run the rails in todayâ(TM)s America and the unions and bureaucracies that make their jobs miserable and downright dangerous.

The movie is predictable, but itâ(TM)s a thrilling and well-made ride!