When you see Denzel Washington and a train, you automatically think of 2009's The Taking of Pelham 123. But Tony Scott's new film Unstoppable is anything but Pelham 123, showcasing an exciting story of a catastrophic train, and the everyday heroes who risk their lives to stop it. But can Tony Scott manage to turn what seems to be just another boring train movie into an over the top drama?
The film begins with Frank Barnes (Denzel Washington), a veteran engineer who now has to work with rookie conductor Will Colson(Chris Pine). In the mean time, two AWVR hostlers named Dewey and Gilleece who are moving a freight train known 777 onto a new track. While trying to make things easier, Dewey puts the train on air brakes and unknowingly it throttles to full power and takes off.
While Will and Frank are out picking up train cars, the are warned by a Fuller yard master named Connie (Rosario Dawson) that Engine 777 is headed their way. Despite being able to avoid a collision with 777, Frank and Will decide to stop the train by catching up to it, slowing it down, and getting on it. But it's much more challenging then they could have ever imagined.
Tony Scott definitely was successful in diversifying Unstoppable from The Taking of Pelham 123. The odd mix of Pine and Washington worked perfectly for the film, and helping emphasis on the fact that near death situations bring people together. Washington and Pines veteran vs rookie relationship definitely helps lighten up the film, and add some humor to it.
Despite the fact that you already know the conclusion of the film, director Tony Scott still manages to keep you on the edge of your seat, and keeps the suspense going throughout the film. This, on top of the intense scene cuts from Dawnson to the train, and the dramatic performances by Washington and Pine make this a very exciting movie.
One major problem with the film is it's camera views. What's meant to give a more raw and realistic look, instead seems too over the top. We see over have of the movies action scenes from the perspective of a news station on a television screen, which is something we can see everyday at six on NBC. It gets rid of the feeling that you're there that you get in most action films.
I give Unstoppable 3.5 stars out of 5 stars:
So Have You Seen Unstoppable? Are You Going To See it?
