UNSTOPPABLE (REVIEW)
Rated
M - 98 mins
Denzel Washington, Chris Pine, Rosario Dawson, Elizabeth Mathis,
Carly Steel, Kevin Dunn
As the title suggests, this is a relentless,
full throttle, overblown action thriller that barrels along at a rapid clip, just
like the runaway train the story centres around.
Director Tony
Scott is no slouch in the genre, helming such explosive favourites as 'True Romance',
'Revenge' & 'Top Gun'. Fresh-faced and newly hired conductor hot shot, Will
Colson (Chris Pine - successful as the new Captain Kirk) loves trains, but hates
his life. Due to a simmering temper, his wife has filed for a restraining order
that also forbids him any contact with a young daughter. This keeps him constantly
on edge. The veteran engineers in his new workplace despise change, especially
the generation of carefree slackers cutting corners and prone to mistakes. One
such mistake is about to create a chain reaction of the highest order. Faster
than a speeding bullet is about to take on a whole new meaning.
After
dismounting a freight train thinking it has come to a complete stop, a couple
of new recruits panic as the locomotive carrying a bundle of toxic chemicals gets
away from them. Gaining momentum out of control with no driver, it begins causing
havoc while streamlining through a variety of sleepy Pennsylvanian towns en route
to a dead end, which will cause one thunderous explosion upon impact. Although
they are ordered not to interfere by a lecherous corporate suit, Will and long
serving railroad veteran Frank (Denzel Washington) break protocol in an attempt
to stop the potential disaster before time runs out.
Hair
raising to say the least, this exciting film is full of profound moments, in particular
during a shocking scene when a bunch of toddlers are playing on the tracks unbeknown
of the missile hurling towards them. Exercising his natural screen presence, Chris
Pine is action orientated with a hip lip vernacular, funny with a sense of brute
as the going gets tough. Oscar winning legend Washington oozes brilliance even
when he's doing something as elementary as barking orders into a walkie talkie.
The duo share an array of quite amusing banter amid the dashing heroics.
Relative
newcomer, the talented Elizabeth Mathis, backs up her recent imposing turn in
'Tron Legacy', with another significant supporting role. The normally first-rate
Rosario Dawson ('Death Proof', 'Sidewalks of New York'), plays an emergency operative,
who happens to be stunning, does little but spend the whole film fretting over
a sea of digital boards and blinking lights. The train turns into its own formidable
character, a beast full of arsenal defying genetics. Avoid anyone revealing the
edge of your seat finale; this is no choo-choo.
Shane
A. Bassett
