Movie Review: UNSTOPPABLE

photo © 2008 Cliff | more info (via: Wylio)Unstoppable is kind of like a sports movie. If you've seen the ads, you know it's about a runaway train and two men who chase after it. You know the movie can only end one of two ways - either the men stop the train and all is well, or the train derails and devastates. So for just over an hour and a half, this movie needs to keep our attention despite the ending being completely predictable. The cast is led by Denzel Washington and Chris Pine, with Rosario Dawson also turning in a nice supporting performance. These cast members are really playing second fiddle to the train though, as that's what we all really want to see.

The movie is loosely based on a true story, but you quickly can tell how loosely by all of the "close calls" the train has with hitting stuff. There is a group of students on a train headed towards the runaway train. There are a couple of nervous horses on the tracks. These instances were a little cheap and unrealistic. It's not to say that there wouldn't be close calls in this type of situation, but the overacting of those involved in these situations was silly. Also, some of the instances aren't resolved on screen, just in a passing comment like "Oh, that van was moved by the way." My other problem has to do with the ending. I won't spoil it, but let's just say if you really think about it, it's kind of unrealistic.

On the plus side, despite being predictable and silly at times, the movie isn't slow. They quickly tell the story and then end the movie - there isn't a single wasted minute. I was on the edge of my seat almost the entire time. It's very entertaining, and it is quite fun. So while this won't win any intelligence awards, it isn't a waste of a movie outing. Overall I would give Unstoppable a 6.5 out of 10.

Family Take: There is some brief strong profanity and endless elements of peril. It's fine for teenagers.

If You Like Unstoppable Try: Unstoppable reminded me of the classic runaway movie Speed which also suffered from elements of stupidity but was still a very entertaining flick.