Just got back from a screening of ''Unstoppable''. I have to say, I came out pretty impressed. Unstoppable is the definition of popcorn entertainment: Just like this summer's ''The Expendables'', or ''Machete'', this is the perfect movie to just sit back with your popcorn and drink, and enjoy without asking yourself too many questions. I must admit that as much as I enjoyed this movie, I felt that the beginning was pretty slow, and I was actually starting to ask myself if this was the real, high-octane thrill ride it had promised itself to be, but after 20 to 25 minutes, I got my answer: It's definitely one hell of a thrill.
Based on actual events that happened in May 2001, the film centers around two men (Denzel Washington and Chris Pine), who work inside a train and who risk their lives to save a train with molten phenol, which is material that, if it had to come into contact with the oil tanks in Stanton (Pennsylvania), could cause massive damages. Sure, the movie was very exaggerated in some scenes: One of them in particular was when Washington's character jumps wagon to wagon like it's no big deal when actually, there's 70 miles per hour winds blowing straight in his direction. But then again, stunts are stunts and the exaggeration only happens a few times, for entertainment purposes only.
The screenplay is well-written, giving us a good amount of character development, and the direction is great. The main leads, Pine and Washington, give amazing performances that will probably not earn them any Oscars, but were very good for that type of movie. In fact, every actor in this movie was good. The visual effects are also good, and the thrill ride is intensely gripping. My two friends and I were literally on the edge of our seats, and there is a moment of relief when the film ends, where you can actually release your breath (you'll probably hold your breath during last hour and ten minutes of the movie).
This film is pure entertainment, it is the perfect definition of a popcorn movie. But due to some pretty unrealistic moments and a slow beginning, it is not a perfect movie. Still, it still ranks a solid 8 out of 10 and I promise you will not be disappointed with this movie.
Based on actual events that happened in May 2001, the film centers around two men (Denzel Washington and Chris Pine), who work inside a train and who risk their lives to save a train with molten phenol, which is material that, if it had to come into contact with the oil tanks in Stanton (Pennsylvania), could cause massive damages. Sure, the movie was very exaggerated in some scenes: One of them in particular was when Washington's character jumps wagon to wagon like it's no big deal when actually, there's 70 miles per hour winds blowing straight in his direction. But then again, stunts are stunts and the exaggeration only happens a few times, for entertainment purposes only.
The screenplay is well-written, giving us a good amount of character development, and the direction is great. The main leads, Pine and Washington, give amazing performances that will probably not earn them any Oscars, but were very good for that type of movie. In fact, every actor in this movie was good. The visual effects are also good, and the thrill ride is intensely gripping. My two friends and I were literally on the edge of our seats, and there is a moment of relief when the film ends, where you can actually release your breath (you'll probably hold your breath during last hour and ten minutes of the movie).
This film is pure entertainment, it is the perfect definition of a popcorn movie. But due to some pretty unrealistic moments and a slow beginning, it is not a perfect movie. Still, it still ranks a solid 8 out of 10 and I promise you will not be disappointed with this movie.