When a massive, unmanned locomotive roars out of control, the threat is more ominous than just a derailment. The train is laden with toxic chemicals, and an accident would decimate human life and cause an environmental disaster. The only hope of bringing the train to a safe stop is in the hands of veteran engineer Frank Barnes, and young conductor Will Colson, who must risk their lives to save those in the runaway's path. Inspired by true events.
"1,000,000 tons. 100,000 lives. 100 minutes."
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John Chard
9/8/2019
8 / 10
Tony and Denzel get back on track.
Unstoppable is directed by Tony Scott and written by Mark Bomback. It stars Denzel Washington, Chris Pine, Rosario Dawson, Ethan Suplee & Kevin Dunn. Cinematographer is Ben Seresin and the music is scored by Harry Gregson-Williams. Plot finds Washington and Pine as Pennsylvania rail yard workers at the opposite ends of their working careers. Whilst working on their first job together, and not exactly hitting it off, the two men are thrust into a frantic pursuit of a runaway train. The runaway (coaster) is pulling tankers containing highly explosive material, and hurtling along at 70mph it has to be stopped before it hits civilisation.
Almost as if to atone for the misfire that was The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3, Scott and Washington jump on board another type of train movie and literally let it rip. The film is as simple as its plot synopsis suggests, it's a disaster movie on the railway, but with Scott cranking it up as much as he can, it's as much fun as you can hope to have with a modern day popcorner. Carrying all the trade mark licks of its director; roving camera, scattergun editing and ear splitting sound mix, it's also nice to report that unlike Pelham, the pace never sags. Even as the principal characters hang ups and back stories are unfolded in the narrative, Unstoppable literally doesn't pause for breath. Sure the "Bromance" development is signposted at the first stop, and yes, are we ever in doubt about where this will end up? But if you are going into Unstoppable for wry social commentary or an expose on the political shenanigans involved in today's rail yards? Well you deserve all the disappointment you will undoubtedly get.
A runaway train pursued by Captain Kirk and Malcolm X, directed by the man who brought us Top Gun. Yeah baby, it's a thrill ride for sure. 8/10
Unstoppable is an intense, high-energy thriller that keeps you on edge from start to finish. The premise is simple but packed with tension, and the performances by Denzel Washington and Chris Pine elevate the film. Their chemistry makes the stakes feel real, and you genuinely connect with their characters. The movie does a great job of building suspense, and the pacing never lets up, making it an easy and engaging watch.
That being said, the script didn’t fully hold up for me. While I understand the need for character-building moments, some of the dialogue felt excessive and took away from the urgency of the story. The film could have focused more on developing the plot instead of lingering on conversations that didn’t add much. I also had issues with the cinematography, especially the constant swirling camera movements. It felt like an attempt to create a sense of motion and energy, but instead, it became distracting and even frustrating at times.
Despite its flaws, Unstoppable delivers where it counts. The action sequences are well-executed, the intensity is gripping, and the climax is satisfying even if expected. It may not have the strongest script, but the solid performances and non-stop momentum make it an entertaining ride. If you’re looking for a fast-paced thriller with strong leads and adrenaline-pumping moments, it’s worth a watch.
