Unstoppable

8.2/10 Dropps
Genre: Action
Rated: PG-13
Running Time: 1 hour, 38 minutes
In theaters: Nov 12, 2010
Directed By: Tony Scott
Written By: Mark Bomback

When someone pictures the image of a runaway train heading down a track at full force, they are witnessing and appreciating great dynamic movement. The same can be said about Tony Scott’s latest film UNSTOPPABLE, in that movement continues to drive the film from start to finish. The action of the film is centered on a runaway train that due to an employee’s negligence is operating without air brakes; furthermore the train has an overly abundant supply of toxic materials on-board that could cause an environmental disaster if ignited. At first glance this seems like an unlikely action story from screenwriter Mark Bomback, but the events are based on a true story about a runaway train in the Ohio area in 2001. The editing of the film is fast-paced, much like the action, alternating between several different points of view during the events. First we have Frank Barnes (Denzel Washington), an engineer with 28 years experience and his cynical, hot-headed rookie partner Will Colson (Chris Pine) on-board the runaway train trying to stop it. Then there is Connie Hooper (Rosario Dawson) the railway nerve-center dispatcher who is coordinating the efforts on the train as well as the train’s eventual path. Lastly, there is Michael Gavin (Kevin Dunn), Connie’s supervisor whose main interests rest with the train itself. News feeds narrating the events unfolding also inter-cut between these stories. The actors give all around solid performances mainly by not defaulting into cliche action movie characters. They seem like unappreciated and somewhat overwhelmed professionals trying to prevent disaster. The characters are flawed and therefore understandable, which makes sense seeing how this is the worst day of their careers. Overall, UNSTOPPABLE is an above-average action thriller that should keep you entertained until the very end.

-Mathew Karako