Movies: Unstoppable

Score: ***1/2 out of *****

Long Story Short: Unstoppable is one of the best films of its genre in recent years, although I might argue "disaster event" could be appended to the "action-thriller" label. Denzel is as good a leading man as ever, but he also makes room for co-star Chris Pine (Star Trek). You'll probably have the plot mapped out pretty quickly in this one, but the setting is unique enough, and the twists thrown in interesting enough, that you'll still have a great time watching it.


Well, this review is pretty late too; I think this movie is now out of most theaters, but maybe you can Netflix it later. Anyway, the movie in question, Unstoppable was directed by Tony Scott (Top Gun, Crimson Tide, etc.) and released in late November. This film is labeled an action-thriller, and you could almost call it a pseudo-disaster, too. It was "inspired" by true events 2001 in Ohio. Here, director Tony Scott teams up with Denzel Washington again for another fun ride at the cinema, so let's get into it.

The plot for this film, as you might expect, is not very elaborate, but still enjoyable. It starts off with scenes involving several different trains. One is a, well, "training" train, where Frank (Denzel) is the old veteran is working with Will (Chris Pine); there's tension, as Denzel feels his job is threatened by youngsters like Will (and Will has his own marriage problems back home). The other is focused on the train itself, which soon becomes unmanned thanks to a bumbling engineer. Meanwhile, yardmaster Connie (Rosario Dawson) is looking after a group of kids on another train for a field trip when she starts monitoring this unmanned train. Believed to be a "coaster" (not accelerating), the huge train is in fact going quite fast.

From here, the plot is fairly predictable. Connie's superior Galvin steps in and tries to make decisions about the runaway train based on A) company profits and B) theories that Denzel debunks with his practical experience. As luck would have it, Frank and Will are on the same line as the runaway train, and so they violate direct orders and try to slow it down themselves (after several failed attempts by others). I don't think I'm spoiling it for anyone when I say that they do, indeed, bring the runaway train to a stop by the end.

Despite not being an Oscar contender, Unstoppable includes some pretty nice acting. Denzel Washington is obviously the biggest star here, but he keeps his character pretty subdued and under control, very much like what I'd expect such a train conductor to be. Don't worry, though, he's still able to bring out all the Denzel traits we've come to know and love to one degree or another. His co-star Chris Pine (Capt. Kirk from the new Star Trek) does a pretty good job too, as he's both likable (see Star Trek) and still clearly affected by his character's problems. Rosario Dawson does a fine job as the stereotypical middle(wo)man working for the greater good rather than company image/profit, and similarly Kevin Dunn is a suitably slimy corporate man. There are also some fun minor parts, including Lew Temple, a train-chasing redneck and the Ethan Suplee (Boy Meets World) as the idiot engineer.

Director Tony Scott does an excellent job of keeping up the suspense through this film. It's kind of odd to think of runaway trains as objects of potential disaster in these times, but it also provides a unique, down-to-earth touch. The director uses a great combination of the new style of helter-skelter filming with more broad, stable views to give the film impressive and varied visuals. The film gives a nice set-up of the necessary elements without lingering too long, and while as mentioned the plot is fairly predictable, it throws in plenty of bumps and warts to keep things interesting. Some films like this tend to turn ordinary characters into hero types in the blink of an eye, but Unstoppable resists that; Frank (especially) and Will are simply train people, and to them it's almost more about fixing a train problem than saving a city. Toward the end, more things tend to just start going right inexplicably, but for most of the way, there are fascinating challenges and situations to overcome.

***

In the end, Unstoppable is simply trying to be an exciting adventure at the movies. And at this, it succeeds quite well. The cast is a very likable ensemble, and while the plot structure is far from new, the specific elements make up for it and give a glimpse into an oft-ignored world. I did feel a bit disappointed with the ending, in being a little too formulaic; but I think it's more to do with my being tired of those endings than this one being particularly poor. I suggest you treat this like Knight and Day, which I reviewed earlier this year: if you want a fun film to watch, but not necessarily one to think over for days, then give it a try.