Movie Review: Unstoppable -- Twentieth Century Fox

Veteran director Tony Scott (brother of Ridley) is best known for directing some of the most action-packed movies in the past 25 years. Some of his most notable ones include Top Gun, Crimson Tide, and Man on Fire. His new film, Unstoppable, is Scott’s return to his roots as a class-A action director and the result doesn’t disappoint. Most action movies like this work best when released in the summer season, so it’s unusual to see this released during the Thanksgiving season. But when you have a top action director, a top-notch cast, and some really good action moments; there’s something to be thankful for.

Will (played by Chris Pine) is a young man trying to make ends meet by working as a conductor for a small Pennsylvania train company. The company’s veteran engineer Frank (played by Oscar-winner Denzel Washington) takes Will under his wing while also trying to make ends meet just a few weeks before retiring.

During Will’s first morning on duty, another train carrying toxic chemicals loses control and begins moving fast on its own because a young worker (played by Ethan Suplee from TV’s “My Name is Earl”) fails to attach the air brakes.

Meanwhile, yardmaster Connie (played by Rosario Dawson) frantically tries to figure out how to stop the train while dealing with the company head honcho VP Galvin (played by Kevin Dunn). After many attempts to stop the train fail, Frank and Will are the only ones left to stop it. Their plan is to connect the independent brakes of their little train to the back of the runaway train to stop it. This becomes a race against time to halt the runaway train before disaster strikes.

There aren’t too many action movies with runaway trains although there was a 1985 Oscar-nominated movie actually titled Runaway Train with Jon Voight and Eric Roberts. However, Unstoppable is a fresh action movie because it creates enough tension and suspense to keep you entertained. Although the action helps keep the movie’s momentum going, it’s the characters that do the most.

Washington and Pine both play conflicted but likeable characters that viewers root for all the way through. They’re like real people with real emotions caught in a catastrophic event. Washington brings both courage and determination to his character similar to the other roles he played over the years. Pine (Young Captain Kirk from 2009’s Star Trek) has the right blend of edgy attitude and gratitude that fits his character.

While the story might be unfamiliar to some action fans, it is reminiscent of 1994’s Speed where the action and suspense make pace as fast as the speeding bus. Both films are electric and out of control, but they succeeded in keeping the story grounded in reality. Unlike Speed, Unstoppable’s plot is based on an incident that happened in the early 2000s. The story dramatizes the incident and may have exaggerated parts, but fortunately it doesn’t come off as overly ridiculous as other action films of the past decade.

It probably won't get any Oscar nominations though both the cast and filmmakers deserve high praise for their efforts nonetheless. This movie is highly recommended especially for fans of action movies from the past and present.

The Movie Critic's rating: PG-13 (for sequences of action and peril, and some language)

This Critic's Rating: 3.5 Stars (Out of Four)