An unmanned runaway train is carrying a cargo of toxic chemicals. An engineer and his conductor find themselves in a race against time. (Firm Films)
UNSTOPPABLE is what you would expect a film to be with this title: It's a nonstop thrill ride, once it gets going. Director Tony Scott and actor Denzel Washington team up for the fifth time and it turns out that this is one of their better films. Yes, the Scott-editing style is still here, with the flashy/blurry, late-time reaction as if someone overdosed on cocaine (I wouldn't know), as well as the cinematography constantly swerving around every actor in almost every scene, but I didn't mind them much here. The techniques are more appropriate this time around.
There's also a great, if flawed, script and strong characters, albeit not the best development in film history. Denzel Washington is excellent as always, although playing the exact same character in his previous works with Scott. Having Chris Pine play alongside him puts a fresh spin in the situation. He's also really good in his role. I also liked Rosario Dawson, but I loved her in everything she was in so take that with a grain of salt.
I don't know if people will agree with me, but I liked the fact how the film relied heavily on human errors for it to keep going. Honestly, the characters try almost every way possible to stop the train but there's always a small mishap that just ruins the plan. I also liked how the news media played a huge role in the film, to explain to the audience what is happening and to simplify the situation for us. It's much easier to digest than the train/railroad jargon the characters in the film discuss with each other. The lack of CGI and reliance on practical effects also is a huge plus because it makes everything so much more realistic, gritty, and intense.
Overall, UNSTOPPABLE has a great cast, good script, and nail-biting tension throughout. The SPEED comparison is inevitable so I'll just say it's as good and as entertaining as SPEED. If you like a fast paced thrill ride, UNSTOPPABLE is the film for you.
UNSTOPPABLE is what you would expect a film to be with this title: It's a nonstop thrill ride, once it gets going. Director Tony Scott and actor Denzel Washington team up for the fifth time and it turns out that this is one of their better films. Yes, the Scott-editing style is still here, with the flashy/blurry, late-time reaction as if someone overdosed on cocaine (I wouldn't know), as well as the cinematography constantly swerving around every actor in almost every scene, but I didn't mind them much here. The techniques are more appropriate this time around.
There's also a great, if flawed, script and strong characters, albeit not the best development in film history. Denzel Washington is excellent as always, although playing the exact same character in his previous works with Scott. Having Chris Pine play alongside him puts a fresh spin in the situation. He's also really good in his role. I also liked Rosario Dawson, but I loved her in everything she was in so take that with a grain of salt.
I don't know if people will agree with me, but I liked the fact how the film relied heavily on human errors for it to keep going. Honestly, the characters try almost every way possible to stop the train but there's always a small mishap that just ruins the plan. I also liked how the news media played a huge role in the film, to explain to the audience what is happening and to simplify the situation for us. It's much easier to digest than the train/railroad jargon the characters in the film discuss with each other. The lack of CGI and reliance on practical effects also is a huge plus because it makes everything so much more realistic, gritty, and intense.
Overall, UNSTOPPABLE has a great cast, good script, and nail-biting tension throughout. The SPEED comparison is inevitable so I'll just say it's as good and as entertaining as SPEED. If you like a fast paced thrill ride, UNSTOPPABLE is the film for you.