Review of Unstoppable (2010) by Rocknblues 8 — 15 Jun 2012

Whoa! For the first time since Enemy of the State director Tony Scott has finally made a movie that I might actually be able to finish a 2nd time. Granted, I had low expectations going in due to the lackluster efforts that the combo of Washington and Scott have brought us the last two times out. But here, Scott's over-stylized BS didn't quite destroy his own film.

Denzel Washington stars as Frank the vet engineer who fears being replaced by the young rookie train operator Will (Chris Pine. Little does Frank know that a runaway locomotive carrying carloads of dangerous chemicals is headed for a small town in Pennsylvania. Naturally, after some failed attempts stop the train, the arguing duo of Frank and Will are forced into the roles of the hero. They must catch up to the high speeding (unrealistically high speeding) and slow the train down so that the appropriate people can stop the train and save the day.

Simple premise, and it mostly delivers despite Scott's strange colors and fast paced quick editing that will no doubt be attractive for the the more ADD general movie going crowd of today. But you expect this from a Tony Scott film in 2010. So you have to roll with it and just accept the outlandish sequences and pointless car collisions. The actors make it worth it. Especially Denzel Washington and Rosario Dawson who plays the corporate employee that helps guide Frank and Will through their heroic adventure.

I'm afraid I can't say the same about Chris Pine who is destined to be the next Paul Walker. A generic hero with no passion or conviction in his performance. It feels like a role that should have been offered to Mark Wahlberg to be honest. But we just have to deal with the dull casting here and enjoy the action and the realize that this is the best movie we're going to get out of Tony Scott at this stage. And maybe even Denzel who hasn't shown the passion to do a great film in years. Overall, it's entertaining but shallow fare that is just good enough to waste an hour and a half on.